Page 19 of The Daughters of Avalon
Now, it was Elspeth’s turn to chuckle, but his next words silenced her.
“Would you ask me for succor, Elspeth?”
He was staring at her now, arms crossed, and a shrewd look in his eyes that made Elspeth think he expected some favor for his “succor.” But of course—had any man ever done aught for a woman simply because? She folded her hands into the rich fur of his cloak, warming them against the cool air, reluctant to throw the garment over her shoulders—not until she knew precisely what he would have from her. “And you have conditions, of course?”
“Of course.”
Elspeth looked at him crossly, instantly regretting not having taken his horse and fled. “Well?”
Without a word, Malcom reached up, putting both hands into the air in supplication, asking her to willingly dismount.Trust me,she thought she heard him say, though his lips never moved. But that was preposterous. There was no way this man—this Scots—could have any knowledge or skill for thehud. And yet, wasn’t it true that her grandmamau had saidallmen and women had some ability to harness thehud. Regardless, much as his horse must have felt when Elspeth summoned her back in the forest in Wales, his arms held the same ability to coerce her. Hating herself for acquiescing, she fell into Malcom’s embrace, allowing him to pull her down and put her feet on the ground. Alas, she didn’t expect to find her legs so unsteady, and she wavered, tumbling into his embrace. “I beg pardon,” she said.
“You have sea legs,” he teased.
Elspeth held on to him, embarrassed. “I have never been to sea,” she confessed.
Only once after she was steady, he released her and confessed, “Neither have I.” The confession wrangled a smile from Elspeth, although it vanished the instant he reminded her, “As to my condition…” He looked at her soberly. “If I am to put my neck at risk of the gallows, Imustknow from whom you flee.”
Without realizing she’d held her breath, Elspeth exhaled in relief and said with surprise, “Is that all?”
“Truth is the only payment I require,” he said, lifting a brow. “Unless you have something else of value you wish to trade?”
Elspeth blushed hotly as he released her and moved back again, to his saddlebag, drawing out a smaller length of cloth, and tossing it over his shoulder. He sauntered past, grabbing Merry Bells’ reins and started to walk away, leaving Elspeth to follow. “There’s a stream nearby,” he said. “If ’tis your wish, you may refresh yourself. When you are ready, we’ll call upon Amdel. There is a woman there who would give you aught you need.”
Woman?
What woman?
Curious now, Elspeth rushed after him, frowning, but this time, it wasn’t precisely annoyance that turned her lips. She watched Malcom walk away, and suddenly had a thousand questions rushing to her lips—evidently, quite some more than he had for her, even after having warned her that he expected her candor.
“Be sure to use the cloak,” he said. “And when you have a moment, turn the tunic inside out. Or everyone will know you are from Llanthony. I dinna care overmuch though it seems to me you do.”
Elspeth stopped in her tracks, startled.
Chapter
Nine
“How?” she sputtered. “How did you know I am from Llanthony?”
Malcom didn’t turn to look at her, because he was still sore over the fact that she’d considered breaking faith with him—again—even after he’d proven such a willingness to help.
“Ach, lass, it takes no seer to reckon you stole your guard’s clothes.”
“Though why Llanthony?” she persisted, sounding befuddled—as though the mysteries of life were hers alone to decipher. “’Tis not a women’s cloister.”
“The cross on your tunic,” Malcom explained. “Llanthony happens to be the only monastery for leagues, save for Abbey Dore, but Llanthony is closer. And, since, as you say, ’tis not a women’s cloister, it would make an ideal place to hide a woman who’s otherwise not meant to be found.”
“I see,” she said, sounding nonplussed.
Surmising he must be correct, based on the tone of her voice, Malcom continued. “As to the matter of your clothing… I dinna ken too many lassies who don men’s attire and perch themselves in trees. Therefore, you must have been hiding. Andsince you were so ready to risk life and limb to steal my horse, it stood to reason you must be running away. ’Tis but a matter of deduction.”
Elspeth fell silent too long, and Malcom glanced over his shoulder to find her standing still, wringing her hands through his grandfather’s cloak, her brow furrowed, deep in thought.
“Am I right?” he pressed.
She started after him. “Tis much more complicated than that,” she said. “But, aye.” She sounded wounded by the next thing she asked. “And would you truly have taken my life merely for stealing your horse?”
Malcom shrugged.
