The Chase by Lynsay Sands Read Free Book Online

shrugged.
    “What did the Earl of Sherwell do?” Seonaid pursed her lips. "Well, now, I dinna rightly
     ken, but it must have been something fair rude, for
    me father has hated him ever since an' curses him at every opportunity.“ When Helen
     continued to frown and seemed about to comment, Seonaid shifted uncomfortably and asked,
     ”Why are ye fleein' Lord Rollo? S'truth I have heard naught against him."
    “Aye.” Helen's expression darkened. “ 'Tis sure I am, you have not. He hides his true
     nature well. He fooled even my father, so much so he agreed to the marriage, but on the
     way to Cameron Castle, I overheard him talking with one of his men. We had stopped to make
     camp for the night and they thought I was sleeping. They were discussing how he planned to
     end the marriage as quickly as he could once we reached his stronghold, so that he could
     marry another woman.”
    Seonaid raised her eyebrows. “If he planned to end it anyway, why marry at all?” “For my
     dowry. My father is quite well off and was generous with my dower.” “But, if he ends the
     marriage, he canna keep the dower.” “He could if the marriage ended because I had died.”
    “Nay!” Seonaid gaped at her. “He wouldna!” Helen nodded grimly. “Did he say so?”
    She nodded again. “They were discussing how best to do it. They could not decide between
     breaking my neck and throwing me down the stairs to make it look as if I broke it in the
     fall, or breaking my neck in the woods and saying I fell off my mount.”
    “The cur!” Turning to her cousin, Seonaid gestured. “Can ye imagine, Aeldra?” Aeldra shook
     her head. “Nay. 'Tis lucky ye truly werena sleepin'.” “Aye,” Seonaid agreed. “What did ye
     then?” “Nothing at first. I had to continue pretending to sleep so they would not know I
     knew of their plans.” “Oh, aye.”
    “But soon as I had the chance, we escaped.” “We?” “My maid was with me.” “Was?”
    “Aye, well, I sent her toward home to tell my father. Once he realizes Cameron's plan, he
     shall come to my aid at once.”
    “But what if they catch her afore she reaches him?”
    Worry crossed briefly over her face, then she shook her head. “Nay. I set all the horses
     free ere we left.”
    Seonaid and Aeldra shared a glance; then the smaller Scot arched her eyebrows. “How did ye
     manage to do all that? I ken well no Scot would sit about while ye packed, let loose their
     beasts, an' fled.”
    “Aye, well.” She hesitated, then said, “Had they been able to stop me I am sure they would
     have, but my maid, Madge, has a special knowledge of herbs. The morning after I overheard
     them talking about killing me, I told her what I had heard and that we had to escape. She
     made the sup that night and drugged it so they fell into a deep sleep. While they were
     unconscious, we packed, let loose the beasts, and fled. I sent her on home alone and made
     my way here, trailing a second horse so they would think she traveled with me. I made sure
     they could follow my trail. They will not even need bother looking for it. Madge will make
     it back home and bring Father to me.”
    “Ye deliberately left a trail for them to follow?”
    Helen nodded. “Well, if I had headed home with Madge, they might have caught us up 'ere we
     could reach there. They would know I knew of their plans. They would make sure I could not
     escape again, and most like have seen to the killing at once, on the spot.”
    “Aye, I ken, but ye dinna have to leave them a way to trail ye here, did ye?”
    “I wished them to follow me to be sure Madge would reach my father safely,” Helen said
     plaintively. “Besides, I feel sure once he is made aware, all will be well. At least I
     did. I thought surely I would be safe here, but now I am not so certain.”
    Seeing the slight tremble to her lip and afraid she would burst into tears again, Seonaid
     hurried to reassure the woman.