“We cannae let this happen to Isla,” Fraser said. “Will ye help us to escape? Surely there must be a way.”
Lena paused for a moment, and looked at them with sad eyes, shaking her head.
“‘Tis too dangerous for ye. I could … oh, ‘tis hopeless. There are guards everywhere, and even if ye did escape, they would follow ye and me…” she said, a tear in her eye.
“Ye will come with us. We wouldnae leave ye here at their mercies. The three of us will escape together, and ye will have the life that has been denied ye these past years. Ye could live with me at the blacksmith’s cottage and be happy again,” Fraser said, placing his hand upon his Lena’s arm as she shook her head sadly.
“But … but this is all I have known … oh, but I cannae stand by and watch my own son held here like this, nor see ye so mistreated, lass. But how …?” Lena said, looking at them both.
“Ye have keys. Can ye get us to the courtyard? And ye said ye knew the castle as well as anyone. There must be other ways out, nae just the main gate,” Fraser said, as Lena nodded.
“Well … aye, there is the rose garden. Lady Musgrave loved her rose garden, and she would spend hours there. She was kind enough to me over the years, despite her husband’s wicked ways. There is a door hidden behind ivy now, for the gardens have long been neglected. ‘Tis built into the castle walls and rotten. It leads outside, but even then ye will be seen by the guards on the wall,” Lena said. “‘Tis why I have never attempted escape. Sir Percy would have me killed if I so much as stepped outside of the castle.”
“Then we must ensure that the guards dinnae see us leave in the dead of night. Come on, surely ye want to escape this place too? Escape to freedom and home to Scotland,” Fraser said, looking at Lena with hope.
“I have always wanted to escape, but I have had nae hope of anythin’ more, not after what I did all those years ago,” Lena replied.
“Well, ye have hope now,” Fraser replied, “and I promise that ye will be looked after. The Laird cannae fail to see that ye have been a loyal and good woman to his daughter, and when he knows that the truth about me is known, then he cannae fail to allow Isla and me to be together. Of that, I am certain.”
“Please help us, Lena. Ye are our only hope,” Isla said, taking Lena’s hand and looking at her imploringly.
“Else it shall be a sad life for us all,” Fraser said, shaking his head.
Both Fraser and Isla knew that what Lena said next would determine their entire futures. She had been kind, but could she go further and risk everything to help them? The revelation of their kinship had been astonishing, but now they needed her bravery in the face of danger to see them saved from the fate which hung upon them.
“I wouldnae see the son whom I have thought of every day these long years past end his days as I have had to,” Lena said, looking at Fraser, her face resolved and determined, “nor would I see the daughter of Alistair Elliott married to a man I know to be nothin’ but a wicked man with evil intentions in his heart. I will help ye, aye, but it will be dangerous, and the chances of us succeeding are small.”
“We will have to leave in the middle of the night and take nothin’ with us. I sleep below stairs, and ‘tis easy enough for me to sneak up here as I did last night. But there is little hope of getting further if the guards are on patrol. We will have to make our way down the stairs and out into the courtyard, circle around towards the gardens, and across them to where the ivy grows. Once there, we must find the door and hope the wood is rotten enough to break through. I may be able to find an ax or some tool to help us, but then we must run and nae look back, and if we are nae shot through full of arrows, it will be a miracle.”
“We have to try, else Isla will be a bride, and I will find myself a servant alongside ye, or worse hangin’ from a gibbet,” Fraser replied.
“Ye are a brave lad, son, I always imagined ye would be, and ye have already proved yerself such by comin’ here in search of Isla. The two of ye must be very much in love, I can see it in ye both,” Lena said, smiling at them.
Isla blushed, and Fraser smiled at Lena, nodding. They were in love, and that love had been tested in these past few days, tested and found to be true. Fraser would have married Isla there and then if he could. For he felt incomplete without her, as though his heart had long been missing a piece which had now been found. Isla, too, knew her feelings for Fraser were just as Lena had described. At first, she had simply been curious about the blacksmith and wondered why her father was so against the two of them spending time together. Now that this mystery was solved, she knew that Fraser was the only man she could ever give her heart to. He had risked his life to rescue her, and that meant more than any words ever could. His deeds had proved his love for her, and she knew that if they escaped, she would demand that her father allow them to be together. It was all that she wanted.
“So, when will we escape?” Fraser asked as Lena gathered up the bowls and empty jug of water a little while later.
“Not tonight, but tomorrow the castle will be busy, for Sir Percy is holdin’ a banquet for the English nobles. It is a celebration of his victory over yer father, and nae doubt, he will want to parade ye as his prize. They will consume much food and drink, and the guards will have their share too. Late that night, once the castle is quiet, I will come, and we shall see if escape from this sorry place is possible,” Lena said, smiling at them. “Too long have I remained here. ‘Tis time I left, and if I can dae it alongside my son, then so much the better.”
The key turned in the lock, and Isla let out a sigh of relief as Fraser placed his arms around her.
“I knew she would help us,” he said.
“But ye heard what she said, ‘tis dangerous and I cannae see it will succeed,” Isla replied.
“I would rather die tryin’ to escape than accept my fate here. I want to be with ye, Isla, and I will nae see ye at the mercies of Howard Musgrave,” he replied.
“As long as I am with ye, Fraser, I shall nae worry. And I promise that when we are home, I shall make sure my father accepts ye and accepts our love,” she said, taking his hand and bringing it to her lips.
He kissed her again, his hand drawing her close as their lips came together. She let out a sigh, and he kissed her again, this time upon her neck, as she held him close.
“I love ye, Isla, and I promise that we shall be alright,” he said, as they lay down upon the blankets.
“It will be alright, so long as I am with ye,” she replied, her arms around him, drawing strength from his hope.
He kissed her again, running his hand along her body and causing her to sigh once more. She turned and kissed him as he gently fondled her breast. The two of them moving closer together as their passions were aroused. Each was desirous of the other, and now they made love with a gentle intimacy of two souls coming together for the first time.
Neither had known such things before, and there was a tenderness between them both. As they explored the depth of their feelings for one another, in the place which had become as much a sanctuary as a prison.
Isla knew that the feelings that had grown within her were those of love, and with the innocence of her young heart, she pulled him close and held him to her, as though each was made for the other.
Fraser, too, knew how strong his love for her had become; he was taken up at the moment, and despite the sorrow of their predicament, he knew that there was something perfect to hold onto. He kissed her again, holding her close in his arms as he let out a deep sigh of satisfaction.
Now, they had come to realize the full extent of their love for each other and had discovered just how close they could be.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The next day and night passed as it had done thus far. They were left alone for much of the day before Lena returned later that evening with one of the guards. He informed them, as they already knew, that a banquet for the English nobles was to be held the next evening and that Isla would be placed on show, a pr
ize to demonstrate the Musgrave victory over the Elliotts.
“And if I refuse to be a prize pig?” she said, but the guard only laughed and told her that it would be the worse for her.
But there was new resilience and defiance in Isla. She knew that it would not be long before she and Fraser would be fleeing from this wretched place or would die trying. Lena had brought them extra food that night, some bread, and a cake made with honey. She took them from her pocket as she and the guard went to leave, dropping them onto the blankets as she stooped to pick up the empty plates.
Fraser smiled at his Lena, longing to embrace her again and reassure her that everything would be alright. There was no doubt in his mind now that she was telling the truth about his lineage, her kindness and compassion to them were enough to prove that. How sorry he felt for her, a prisoner here for all these long years, and he was determined to help her.
That night, he and Isla went to sleep early, knowing they would need all their strength for the coming day. They saw nothing of Sir Percy or his son during the day, but as the evening of the next day drew closer, the familiar footsteps came along the corridor, and Isla hurriedly kissed Fraser as the key was turned in the lock.
“I trust you are well,” Sir Percy said, stepping into the room, ignoring Fraser as he took Isla by the arm.
“What dae ye think? Ye keep us here trussed up like animals in a cage and expect me to be well,” she replied, pulling away from him.
“Well, tonight, as you have been informed, there shall be a change in scenery for you, though not for him. A decent supper and the chance to show the English nobles what a cultured and civilized young lady you can be,” Sir Percy said. “Come now, you need to get ready.”
Isla glanced back at Fraser, who gave her a reassuring nod as she followed Sir Percy from the room. He led her downstairs to a chamber where a gown was laid out for her, and Lena was waiting to assist in her preparations.
“You will wash and get dressed. Lena will help you. I want you to look pretty for the nobles. My son intends to marry you, and he shall have his wish, come what may,” Sir Percy said, closing the door behind them and locking the two women inside.
Isla embraced Lena, who looked at her sadly. The gown was very pretty and made of the finest materials, but Isla had no desire to wear it, nor to make herself presentable for the delectations of English nobles.
“I am sorry ye must endure this, lass. But by tomorrow evenin’, we may, if God is kind to us, be at home with yer father,” Lena said, as she began to help Isla undress.
“‘Tis the only thought that keeps me from despair,” Isla replied as she stepped into the tub, and Lena began pouring warm water over her.
“Ye have been good to my son, and I want to help ye both,” Lena replied.
“Ye must have had such an anguished life, Lena. I cannae imagine why such cruelty was enacted upon ye. ‘Tis my father who is to blame, as much as my mother. He should never have sent ye away,” Isla said, beginning to feel a little more like herself, as the dirt of the past days was washed away.
“Times were different back then, lass. I cannae blame yer mother for how she reacted. I would have done the same. Yer father was as kind as he could be. But there was nothin’ he could dae. A woman with a child out of wedlock is an unwanted thing,” Lena said, sighing.
“And so ye thought yer son was gone forever,” Isla replied, cupping the water in her hands and splashing herself over.
“Aye, I had accepted the fact I would never see him again. And then he comes to me,” she replied, shaking her head.
“‘Tis a happy thing among sadness,” Isla replied as Lena held out a blanket for her, and she wrapped herself in it to dry.
“Come sit by the fire a moment, and I shall prepare yer gown. ‘Tis a beautiful thing, though beauty in this house is always tinged with sadness. Just like the rose garden, ye know. The mistress of this castle, Lady Musgrave, was kind to me. She made the first years here bearable, but it is Sir Percy who has poisoned his son with his wicked ways,” Lena said, as Isla warmed herself before the fire.
“Is that why she so tended her rose garden?” Isla asked.
“Aye, she once told me that it was the only place where she was happy. I used to sit out there myself sometimes, though there is precious little time for pleasure here, nae when ye are a Scot and forever set to work,” Lena replied.
She helped Isla on with her gown. It fitted perfectly, and she looked every bit an English noblewoman, though such a thing was far from her heart. Isla had no desire for finery and riches. Her heart was across the border, where she could be a noble clanswoman and the proud daughter of a Laird. She would play her part tonight, but soon she would be gone, or die in the attempt.
Sir Percy returned sometime later, and Lena had just finished helping Isla with her hair, which was tied back and combed. She looked very pretty, and he complemented her in such terms and informed her that she would sit upon Howard’s right-hand side.
“You shall be on show, just remember that,” he said, taking her forcibly by the arm.
“I am quite capable of walking unaided,” she replied, as together they made their way down towards the Great Hall.
Isla cast a last glance back. Lena was smiling at her and nodded reassuringly. Her keys dangling in one hand.
* * *
“Tonight, is an important night, Isla,” Sir Percy said, as they followed the corridors and staircases down to the Great Hall. “Tonight, we show the nobles of the English borders the prize which has been won, and we remind them that it is the Musgraves who have settled this victory.”
“‘Tis nae victory yet, Sir Percy,” she said, smiling at him as he turned to look at her.
“Do not be foolish, girl. Do you really believe that your father will muster strength enough for a further attack? He is as good as defeated. It will take only a handful of men to cross the border and see to it that the castle of Kirklinton has the English banner raised above it,” Sir Percy replied.
“Ye underestimate my father, Sir Percy, and ye underestimate the Scots. We are a proud people, and we dinnae respond well to English threats,” she replied.
“It matters not what you think, girl. You are nothing, but you may become something if you stop resisting that which will occur whether you like it or not. Agree to marry my son, and all will be well for you, of that I assure you,” he said, as they came to stand outside the Great Hall.
From inside, there was the noise and revelry of the feast beginning, and Isla could not help but find it amusing that very soon, Sir Percy’s prize would be fleeing from him into the night. She had only to endure the next few hours, and then she, Fraser, and Lena would be gone.
Howard appeared a moment later, and he looked her up and down with an air of satisfaction.
“You are looking pretty this evening, Isla. The English nobles will be most jealous to learn that it is I who is to marry you. Now, come. They are waiting for us,” he said, taking hold of her arm.
Music was playing, and as they entered the Great Hall, the guests stood and watched as Howard led Isla down the central aisle. They were preceded by Sir Percy, who nodded and greeted his guests as they moved towards the high table. There were stood the English nobles, whom Isla assumed had been among the battle during which she was captured. She imagined her father doing battle with them and winning a glorious victory for the clan, and she herself in its midst. No longer a timid wee lass but a warrior like her father, noble and strong.
“You sit here, Isla. Next to me,” Howard said, pointing to a chair at his side.
Isla made no reply, but she took her place and sat down before Sir Percy had a chance to speak. The rest of the Great Hall fell silent and remained standing, all eyes on Isla, who looked absentmindedly into the distance. She was not afraid of the Percy’s, nor of their idle threats. All she wished for was revenge, and the first step in that revenge was to escape with Fraser and Lena that night.
“My friends, fellow nobles. Welc
ome to Musgrave castle, and it is good to see such strength among us. We are a strong and noble people, and we have stood firm against the barbarity of the north. Tonight, we celebrate our victory over the Elliotts and the acquisition of a prize,” and he began to laugh. “Stand up, Isla,” and he took her by the arm and pulled her roughly to her feet.
“Let go of me,” she hissed.
“See how feisty a Scottish lass can be,” he said, as the Great Hall burst into a round of applause and cheers. “This is none other than Isla Elliott. Daughter of the Alistair Elliott, though in fact an Armstrong by birth.”
“Another clan we routed,” one of the nobles along the table cried, and there was much banging of fists upon the tables and cheers from the crowd.
A Highlander Forged In Fire (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance) Page 19
