Once a Bride by Shari Anton Read Free Book Online Page B

If he is within the walls, we will find him.”
    ’Twasn’t fair that even the man’s voice affected her, the deep rumble reverberating along her spine.
    Now the earl leaned forward and Eloise, trapped between the two, tried to make herself small, with little success.
    “He had
best
be within the walls or those who aided his escape will suffer.”
    She nearly shivered at the threat.
    “Perhaps the monk will appear of his own accord,” Roland answered in a voice Eloise decided lacked a hint of concern. “What of Sir John?”
    Kenworth sank back in the chair and drummed his fingers on the arm. “I have given the matter much thought. Hamelin wants me to believe he has fled, just as he wanted everyone to believe he had merely gone hunting. A wily ruse befitting a traitor. I will not be fooled, however. He is nearby, waiting to see what I do next.” He leaned forward to grab hold of his goblet and took a healthy swallow. “On the morn we will again send out patrols. Among my men are two of the most skilled trackers in the kingdom. If Hamelin is in the area, we will find him.”
    Eloise thought back on her brief talk with her father. He’d said ’twas best she didn’t know where he went. She’d only assumed he’d gone far and fast.
    Kenworth speared a chunk of the odious eel. Her stomach roiled, again, worse now than before. ’Twas a breach of manners to leave the table before the person of highest rank finished his meal. But if she didn’t leave, she’d commit a worse offense.
    “My lord, the day has been long and trying. If you will permit, I should like to retire.”
    He regarded her with disapproval, then waved a dismissing hand. “You do look rather … worn. You are permitted the use of your bedchamber upon your oath you will stay within until morn.”
    She wanted nothing more than a measure of privacy and the comfort of her bed. “You have my oath.”
    “Be aware a guard will be posted in the upper hall to ensure you keep it.”
    A guard at her door. Not to protect her from harm but to imprison her within. How many more insults must she endure, without recourse, before the loathsome earl left?
    “Then I bid thee good eve.”
    Eloise rose. On the edge of her vision she saw Isolde rise from her place at the lower tables to make her way to the stairs. With her stomach in complete rebellion, Eloise didn’t wait for her maid but bolted for her bed-chamber.
    Once there she made straight for the narrow window and threw open the shutters. After several deep breaths of cool, misty night air, she thought she might avoid being sick.
    Sweet mercy, but she hated eel. And the earl of Kenworth. And Roland St. Marten. And this whole nasty mess her father expected her to deal with.
    Not until she eased down on the bed did she notice the scroll resting beside the bolsters.
    Confused, she unrolled the parchment, the writing easily recognizable as her father’s.
    Continue to follow my orders and all will be well. Take heart. I am watching and will return when Kenworth leaves.
    Her hands shook.
    How had her father managed to send her a message? But more important, how could she inform him that coming home wasn’t wise?
    As the earl suspected, her father watched events at Lelleford. Perhaps he could continue to avoid capture as he had today. All well and good if that were the only problem.
    Unfortunately, while the earl might leave soon, Roland St. Marten would not. He was to remain at Lelleford along with his squire and a small company of men-at-arms. The moment her father came home, Roland would feel it his duty to make the arrest.
    From out in the hallway she heard Isolde’s awkward shuffle. The maid surely realized by now that her brother might well be in dire trouble for aiding Sir John. Now both lord and squire might return, thinking themselves safe, only to be arrested.
    Eloise laid the parchment aside and stood, wondering how she should impart the bad news. When the door opened, all thoughts of preparing her maid