Free Never Broken by Kathleen Fuller Page A

trying to soothe the throbbing pain that seared in her head. When she finally heard a knock on the door, she threw it open.
    Rory stepped into the room. “I came as soon as I could. What’s wrong?”
    “Everything.” She relayed her and William’s conversation.
    Rory fisted his hands. “So he means not only to abandon the tenants, he would wed you off without a thought to your feelin’s on the matter?” He shook his head. “This is beyond the pale, even for William.”
    “He is dead serious, Rory. Mother and I leave with him in a few days.” She licked her dry lips. “I am afraid for our tenants, but I fear more for you and Colm. William refused to tell me what his plans were. Do you know where Colm is? I tried to find him after I sent for you, but he’s not on the estate.”
    “We haven’t spoken since yesterday, after the wake.”
    Sara started wringing her hands. “Find him and meet me in the garden. We must warn him, as well.” She halted her steps and looked him square in the eye. “While William may see fit to cast you both aside, my father did not.”
    Rory frowned. “I don’t understand.”
    “Right before Father died, he asked to see me privately. He must have known William was up to something, for he expressed concern over you and Colm. I can’t tell it all now, for time is of the essence.” She urged Rory out of her room. “I’ll explain everything later—but please, find Colm!”
    When Rory left, Sara went to her dresser. She knelt in front of the bottom drawer, pulled it out, then reached underneath piles of petticoats and undergarments. When her fingers touched the back of the drawer, she found what she was looking for and prayed it would be enough to save both her cousins.
     

     
    Almost an hour later, Rory sat on the bench in the center of Edwin’s rose garden. Being here reminded him of when he met Shannon Cahill. That night seemed like a lifetime ago, yet, once again, she filled his mind. He’d made a few inquiries but hadn’t found out any information about her or her family. He only knew one thing—she hadn’t shown up at the manor asking for bread. He took that as a good sign. He refused to think about the alternative.
    Rory watched as Colm strode back and forth, digging his heel into the crushed stone as he pivoted with each lap. He’d found Colm in the village, helping a young widow bury her husband. That type of task had become somewhat of a personal crusade for him, helping the stricken give their loved ones a proper burial. Tragically, it also kept him extremely busy. His brother’s unselfish acts surprised Rory. Then again, the recent troubles had changed everyone.
    Rory stared at the pristine pool covered in a thin sheet of ice in the square of the garden. Dead leaves littered the area and the afternoon sky was cloaked in a misty, gray fog. Not even the thought of Shannon dispelled the dread gathering in his gut as he waited for Sara.
    “Where the devil is she?” Colm shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his coat, but Rory still saw them clenching and unclenching against the wool fabric. “We’ve been here for over an hour. If this is some kind of trick…”
    “’Tis not a trick.” Rory frowned. “Our Sara would never deceive us, you know that.”
    Colm relented slightly. “Aye, that she wouldn’t. But what’s keeping her?”
    “I don’t know.” He should have expected William to strike while his father’s body was barely in the grave. Rory fought to keep his grief at bay. His uncle had been more than a benefactor. He’d been a surrogate father. Now he was gone, and they were at William’s mercy.
    “How could William abandon his countrymen?” asked Colm, breaking into Rory’s thoughts.
    “He’s never held any loyalty to Ireland. Neither does Lady Jane. They are English through and through.”
    “Then what of Sara? I can see why he would betray us, but how could he be so callous toward his own sister?”
    Rory sighed. “I’m sure it