Page 14 of Fearless Heart
Her mother pressed her hair. “Dearest, ‘tis not as bad as all that.”
She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “Is it not? I’m to wed that wretched man? It is worse than imaginable. Father must detest me.”
“You always make matters seem poorer than they are.”
Lillia pressed her eyes. She thought about Laird Fraser’s offer. If she could flee, she might seek sanctuary with the Frasers. She had to come up with a plan, a sound way to leave the keep unnoticed. Her very life depended upon it.
“You are aright, Mother. I suppose I have no choice but to accept him. I would like to bathe and dress properly for the …” She swallowed hard. “… wedding.”
Her mother caressed her hair. “There, you see, all shall be well. It is for your own safety that we give you to the Sinclairs.”
“About that …”
“Nay, we shan’t discuss it.” Her mother’s eyes brimmed with tears and she shuttered. “’Tis bad enough you are leaving me, I shall not ponder it. I only want your happiness and hope your father hasn’t made a mistake.”
“How can Da deem I’d be happy with that man? He is making a terrible mistake. Will you not tell him so? Please, Mother, plead for me?”
“Dear heart, I would except I’ve already accepted your father’s position and decision. There’s no reasoning with him now. A bath will soothe ye and you’ll feel much better about the situation once you’re clean. I will have water sent posthaste. It may take a wee bit for the water to heat. I will return shortly and help you ready.”
That’s what she was counting on, the water taking long to heat. “I’m in no rush, Mother. But I would like to bathe.” Lillia waved to her mother as she left the chamber. If only her betrothed bathed, she might be resigned to marry him. He mightn’t appear as reprehensible if he had, but she knew there was no reasoning such a thing. The man didn’t bathe given the odor permeating from him. A gag tightened her throat at the thought.
Lillia hastened to her wardrobe and pulled a satchel from under a pile of garments. She quickly tossed inside her favorite overdresses and items she’d need. Her chamber lacked any weapons she might require on the perilous journey, but somehow she’d make do. She changed her overdress to a plain brown frock and covered her hair with a plain white wimple. Hopefully no one would recognize her or realize she left the chamber.
Now all she had to do was find a way to sneak out of the keep without anyone noticing.
Lillia snuck down the stairs which flanked the great hall. A wall betwixt the two rooms shielded her. She reached the bottom and saw two lads carrying a tub. The recess in the wall hid her as they passed. Their feet tromped and they grumbled about the chore, and carried the heavy tub up the stairs. She felt badly at being the cause of their useless task.
When they were out of sight, she hurried to the door. With her hand on the ornate grip, she turned and found Laird Fraser watching her. Voices came and she froze. She was going to be caught and pleaded with him to help her. Her eyes wide and willful, told him she would flee.
“Ah, Aylmer, come and have one last drink with me before I depart. Who knows when next I’ll see ye.” Laird Fraser led her father away from the entrance.
Lillia pulled the door open and stole through to the outside. She released the breath she held and ran toward the stables. Too many people were about. She would have to hide and retrieve a horse when it grew dark enough for her to be unseen.
She walked back toward the stream where she’d shared a lovely time with Heath. If only he hadn’t left. She might have gained his aid. But he had to be long gone by now. As she meandered toward the water, she turned when she heard cries.
Lillia wasn’t usually brave, but she decided to venture forth and see what was happening. After she set her hefty satchel next to the large crag, she used the tree trunks to shield her movements. The closer she got to the screams, the more determined she was to rescue whoever was being tortured.
A fire ahead lit a small clearing and sent a glow to the trees. She stopped at a shadowed trunk and watched the scene before her. Two men stood over a lad whose hands were tied behind his back. The men took turns punching their quarry. One of them used his dagger to cut the lad’s face twice before he relented. Her body stiffened at the sight and how such a wound would hurt.
Lillia wanted to rush into the clearing and yell at the knaves, but she noticed they looked like the men who followed her earlier. She would have to wait until they were distracted or they slept, to rescue the lad. If he survived their beating.
“He doesn’t know anything, Lyell.”
Lyell poked the wee one’s chest. “We want to ken where the king’s guard hides. You were with them the night your lord killed ours. I saw ye there in the church.”
“I … I wasn’t there and know not of what you speak. You confuse me with someone else.”
Lyell slapped the lad and gripped his tunic. “I have no time to dally with ye, lad. You will tell us what we want to ken. And you’ll do it before sunrise or you’ll be no more. Watch him, Raef. I’ll find Artur. He went to find the lass and should’ve returned by now.”
“What if something happened to him?”
Lyell shoved his cohort. “What could’ve happened to him? He searches for the lass. There are rumors of the Guardians coming here after the king’s wife birthed the bairn. It shouldn’t have taken him this long in returning.”
“What are we going to do with him?” The cohort punched the lad and knocked him back.
“We’ll take him to John and leave it to his discretion. I hope Artur found the lass for I don’t want to be here longer than necessary. The Hunters grow suspicious of our attendance. Keep alert, and no sleeping, Raef.” He picked up his satchel, flung it over his shoulder, and left the clearing.
His partner shoved the lad’s chest again and caused him to fall to the ground. “Best rest whilst ye can. We’ll leave at first light with or without the lass.” He stretched out on his bedroll and within minutes snored loudly.