Page 85 of Foolish Bride
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Elinor sat on the edge of the bed as footmen carried a large ancient tub into the room. After it was in place, they filled it, which took an hour. As bewildered as she was, her mind still raced, thinking what to do next. The servants all thought she was daft. How could they not? In the last twenty-four hours, her life had gone from pure joy to complete horror. That would be enough to drive most women mad.
She looked at the window and knew immediately that she was far too high to jump. The hallway was crowded with guards and servants. The wardrobe connected to the master’s chambers, and she assumed that Roxton would be through there. The servants’ passage through the back of the house was the only way out, but she would need help.
When the tub was full, the room cleared except for Brianne, who was adding some kind of oils to the water.
“Brianne, what are the servants saying?”
The girl turned with wide eyes.
“Come now, I know that there must be some gossip in the back stairs. It’s not possible for what is going on here to be completely secret.”
“I am not supposed to tell tales, your grace.”
Elinor cringed at the title. She had to get out. Letting Roxton touch her wasn’t an option. “That is commendable, but please tell me what you’ve heard.”
“The rumors have run wild. They are saying you are a runaway princess and your father will send his knights to rescue you. I heard that the duke put a knife to your throat. I even heard that there is a priest locked in the dungeons. It’s like a fairytale, the way they are all going on.” Her red curls bobbed as she giggled.
Elinor smiled. “I am no princess, Brianne. But the other two rumors are quite true. The priest who was forced to marry me to that pig of an impostor is locked in the dungeon.” She pointed to the small cut on her neck. “You can see for yourself that I was cut by the knife at my throat.”
Brianne rushed forward and touched the cut. She frowned, tugging at the collar where blood stained the dress. “Goodness. I thought you made up everything.”
“I need your help, Brianne. I have to get out of here before Roxton comes for me. I will kill myself rather than have the man touch me. Do you understand?”
The maid nodded, but tears filled her eyes. “But where will you go? It’s only a matter of time before you’re found out. Then he will take you, and I will be put out in the street or worse.”
She took the girl’s hands in hers. “Listen to me. I do not need to be hidden for long. I told you the truth when I said that the real Kerburghe will come for me. I only hope he has figured out where I am.”
Brianne’s eyes grew even larger. “Then the story of the boy who was shot was also true?”
Sorrow washed over Elinor, and she dashed away her tears. “I am afraid so. I only pray Everett survived. I shall never forgive myself if I am somehow the cause of Everett losing his life. There is no time to think of that now. We must get me out of here.”
“Can you get yourself out of that dress?” Brianne asked.
“I think so.” Elinor tugged at the ties running up the back.
“I shall go and fetch you some of the servants’ clothes.”
Relief flooded Elinor. “Please, be quick.”
Chapter 19
Michael crawled over a rocky hump toward Kerburghe Castle. “Hardwig,” he whispered.
Crouched behind a row of hedges and rocks, James and his men startled.
“Good Lord, Kerburghe, You’ve nearly caused me an apoplexy.” He looked around. “Where are the rest?”
“Looking for other ways into that pile of rocks.”
The castle’s towering walls and single gate complicated entry. Luckily, the overgrown grounds surrounding the fortress offered places for a man to hide and watch. Lookouts walked the battlements. If properly executed, an attack could succeed, but Michael had to work out the details.
James shook his head. “Built in the old style, it won’t be easy to get in without causing a commotion.”
Michael smiled. “That’s exactly what we need, Hardwig.”
“Pardon?”
