Free The Chase by Lynsay Sands Page B

she'd found a safe haven until her father could come to her,
     she had been shown the error of such a belief.
    “Cameron will find me here. I knew he would eventually. I even left a trail for him to do
     so, thinking I would be safe within these walls. But I will not be safe. Lady Elizabeth
     will let him in and he will force me to leave with him. If so, I shall be dead.”
    Seonaid frowned as she paced the small cell she had occupied since arriving at the abbey.
     They were all there: Aeldra, Lady Helen, and a rather glum-faced Sister Blanche. Seonaid
     and Aeldra had come across the other two women outside the chapel and led them here.
    “Did ye no hear the bishop? He as good as said Lady Elizabeth'll be sent away. She'll no
     be in a position to allow anyone into the abbey.”
    “Aye, he says that now. Howbeit Lady Elizabeth is clever; I could tell that during our
     interview when I first arrived. I think she would promise him anything to avoid such
     shame. What if she offers something he cannot refuse? What if he changes his mind and lets
     her stay? Then she may grow tired of my presence as well and allow the Camerons in. I fear
     I angered her when she came upon us in the hall. I was most rude and she will most like be
     happy to hand me over to the Camerons when they come.”
    Seonaid's frown deepened, but she shook her head. “He will send her away. He's a good man
     an' she has nothin' to use to convince him to let her stay.”
    “She has you.” When Seonaid stiffened, Helen nodded grimly. “They are here to return you
     to Dunbar. By rights, they should not even have been allowed to step over the threshold,
     but the damage has been done. She may agree to turn her head the other way while they
     steal you out of here in return for being allowed to stay.”
    Seonaid glanced sharply toward Sister Blanche. The good sister appeared worried. Her
     doubts made Seonaid decidedly uncomfortable. “Bishop Wykeham's a good man; honest an'
     gentle an'... good,” she finished lamely, then shook her head. “He'd no stoop to such to
     remove me.”
    “He's under order of the king to see the marriage done,” Aeldra reminded her. “An' yer
     father signed the marriage contract. It's no as if he'd be stealin' ye to kill ye. His
     conscience may be salved by that.”
    Seonaid turned away with a curse, her gaze going absently out of the window in the small
     cell as she tried to think. The other women were silent as they waited. When she whirled
     suddenly back, only Aeldra did not start in surprise.
    “Helen, go to yer room an' gather yer things.” “Why?” the redhead asked hopefully. “We
     leave here at once.” “But your betrothed and the others”
    “They'll be busy fer a bit dealin' with Lady Elizabeth, I think. Long enough at least fer
     us to make our escape. Aeldra an' I'll see ye safely home, then seek shelter elsewhere.”
     She paused, her gaze running over the flowing nun's gown. “Ye should keep that on in case
     we come across the Cameron along our way. Hopefully it'll fool him.” Her gaze shifted to
     Sister Blanche. “Ye may come with us if ye wish. If Lady Elizabeth convinces them to let
     her stay, she'll make it difficult fer ye here.”
    Sister Blanche hesitated, then shook her head. “Nay. I will stay, but I shall help you to
     escape. I shall fetch some provisions from the kitchens.”
    “We'll be in the stables,” Seonaid told her as the other woman slipped from the room. A
     glance back and a nod were enough to tell her she'd heard.
    Seonaid turned back to the two remaining women. “Quickly, Aeldra, go help Helen gather her
     belongings. I'll go to the stables to saddle the beasties.” She started toward the door
     even as she spoke, only to be brought up short by Helen's words.
    “I have no belongings.” When Seonaid turned to peer at her in surprise, she shrugged
     slightly. “I sent everything with my maid so I might travel