Free Never Broken by Kathleen Fuller Page B

has to do with money. Or political gain. Probably both.”
    “And we’ll leave her to her fate? Is that what you’re sayin’?”
    “’Tis not like we have a choice.”
    Colm ran his hand over his face. “We should stay here and fight him—for Sara’s sake.”
    Rory rose from the bench. He understood Colm’s anger, but he was also realistic—and more than a bit fearful. “We can’t. William holds all the power and the purse strings. He can cast us out—”
    “Let him,” Colm retorted. “I’d rather live with my dying kinsmen then spend one minute on English soil.”
    “Then death is what we’ll have if he turns us out.” He huddled inside his wool coat, knowing that the garment was more than many of the villagers had to keep warm. If William forced him and Colm off the estate, how would they survive? Would they be left with only the clothes on their backs? “We are worse off now than when we came here,” he muttered, swiftly losing hope.
    Colm shook his head. “You are wrong on that account.”
    Before Rory could press Colm about his cryptic response, the sound of soft footsteps against the flagstones on the garden path grabbed his attention. He looked up to see Sara emerging from the surrounding dead rose bushes into the square.
    “Forgive my lateness.” Her dress was wrinkled, and flyaway strands of hair lay against her face. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her equanimity. “I had to sneak out of my room. William posted a guard by my door.”
    “Has he gone completely mad?” Colm asked.
    “How did you manage to escape?” Rory added.
    A sly smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “I haven’t forgotten my tree climbing skills completely. Remember how the three of us used to chase each other through the valley? I would shimmy up an old oak tree, and you and Colm wouldn’t be far behind.”
    “Aye,” Rory said, relaxing a bit at the pleasant memory. He grinned. “You were always as fast as lightning, both going up and coming down.”
    “Thus the trellis outside my window came in rather handy. Although, I’m afraid the winter roses attached to it didn’t fare so well.”
    “Sara,” Colm said, his voice gentler than Rory had heard it in a long time. “I’m sorry William is doing this to you.”
    “Thank you, Colm. Would that you and Rory were my true brothers.” She touched his cheek. “Would that many things were different.” She cleared her throat. “I have something for you both.”
    She turned, facing away from them. Rory saw her reach inside the bodice of her dress for something and averted his gaze.
    When she turned back around, she held two short, thick envelopes in her hands. Her skin blushed pink. “Not a very ladylike way to carry parcels, but I didn’t know where else to put them.”
    Colm chuckled. “Aye, but resourceful, lass.”
    Sara smiled back. “Mother would have a fit if she knew, but at the moment her and William’s opinions are hardly my concern.” She handed Rory and Colm each an envelope. “These are from Father. He gave them to me the night before he died, and he made me promise to get them to you. He was desperate about it. Now I understand why.”
    The dread in Rory’s stomach formed a sickening lump. Although he had pretty much known what William’s intentions were all along, to have them confirmed made it all too real. “William will be casting us out, then?”
    Moisture shone in Sara’s eyes. “Aye. I believe as soon as he finds you, he will have you escorted off the estate as soon as possible.”
    “Bloody…” Colm muttered.
    Tears coursed down her face. “But Father provided for you, as he always did. He gave you enough money to go to America.” She wiped her eyes. “I must go now before they realize I’ve left.” She walked into Rory’s open embrace. “I shall miss you both so much,” she sobbed against his chest.
    Rory held her tight. They had grown closer during the past few weeks. He couldn’t imagine life without