“Where?” Adelaide demanded, struggling to sit up straight. “Please tell me it wasn’t to Lord James.”
The very idea sent a sickening chill down Isabella’s spine. “Shh. Sweetling, I needed a word with Martin, if you must know.”
Adelaide relaxed and managed a wan smile. “Good,” she croaked.
“We hatched a plan to escape.” Isabella explained what they were going to do. “Are you strong enough to travel?We’re aiming to get you out of here by nightfall, and by noon tomorrow, we should all be on our way to Winchelsea.”
“I’ll be fine,” Adelaide whispered, placing her hand on Isabella’s.
It never ceased to amaze Isabella how strong her sister was despite the frailty of her body. Somehow, she’d survived years alone in their parents’ household unscathed, and her bravery here and now, when everything hung in the balance, made Isabella’s heart swell with love and pride.
“I swear to you, this nightmare will soon be over, and I’ll get you the best care in Christendom. We’ll be a proper family together, and live long, happy lives.” Before Martin, she’d never let herself believe in the possibility of such a fairytale ending, but the wicked, silver-tongued baron from Winchelsea had changed everything.
A silver tongue… Forty lashes…
Shaking herself, Isabella forced her mind back to the present. There was too much to do to start daydreaming about the unspeakable things her husband had done in the night.
Adelaide started coughing again as she tried to reply.
“Don’t speak. Just rest. You’ll need your strength for the journey.” Isabella handed her the cup of water again.
Adelaide nodded and settled back down in the bed after taking a sip of water. Isabella hated to move her under such circumstances, but they had to escape. There was no choice. She was relieved to see Adelaide close her eyes and drift off to sleep once again.
With brisk efficiency, Isabella began preparing for the day. She put on a woad-blue wool gown with delicate white embroidered trim and bell sleeves that dripped to her knees. It was one of her favorite dresses—practical, but fine enough for a future countess. And that was the part she must play today. Lord James couldn’t suspect that she and Martin had beenconspiring, or he would never let Adelaide go. To all outward appearances, she needed to have surrendered.
There was a knock on the door, and a servant handed her a scroll, saying it was from Lord Martin.Good. Things are proceeding as planned.
Now, she had to prepare for her performance. Lord James needed to think that the contents of the letter had driven her to tears. It didn’t take much. One look at Adelaide, lying feverish in bed, her breathing ragged as she dozed, and the tears began to flow.
She’d failed her sister so many times and in so many ways. How could she ever deserve happiness if she couldn’t even defend her little sister from harm? Years of guilt made the tears fall fast and hot. She should have found a way to get Adelaide away from her parents sooner. And now, she’d put Adelaide in danger again, all because of her own wrongheadedness. If only she had trusted Martin instead of speaking to Lord James, they wouldn’t be in this terrible mess.
Isabella rubbed her eyes to make them look as red and raw as she felt. The only way to make her mistakes right was to convince Lord James to let them go. If she failed, then she deserved whatever befell her. But she would not fail Adelaide or Martin. She couldn’t. They were too precious to her.
Standing and sniffing, she picked up the scroll written in Eleanor’s hand and hurried down to the great hall before she could lose her nerve. She found Lord James at the high table, eating a hunk of bread and washing it down with ale. His eyes sparked with lascivious intent upon seeing her until he took in her red, teary face.
“Good morrow, my lord,” she said with a curtsy.
“Good morrow to you too, my lady,” he answered, studying her coldly. “Come sit next to me. We have things to discuss. The tribunal will convene before the week is out to hear your case. Isent riders out to gather them here yesterday. We’ll wed before Easter.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, and an unfeigned tear dripped down her cheek. Thank God he couldn’t see inside her heart and know how deeply it pained her that she had ever contemplated marrying him.
“Compose yourself, woman,” he grumbled. “Need I remind you that this was all your idea in the first place?”
“My distress has nothing to do with you, my lord. I’m upset about this letter from Lady Eleanor.” She held up the scroll, praying that this ruse would work.
“Give it to me now.” He yanked it from her and read, his expression growing more thunderous by the moment as he took in its message. “Where did this come from?” he growled.
“Lord Martin had it. He had a servant bring it to me this morning. He hid this from me until this morning, no doubt trying to worm his way into my affections. But now he intends to carry out Lady Eleanor’s orders and take my sister from me. Please stop him. If you have any kindness in your heart, please let Adelaide stay with me.”
She prayed she was right, that the harder she begged to keep Adelaide, the more inclined he would be to send her off.
“If he thinks he’ll escape staying for the annulment tribunal—”
“He’s proposing to have his men take her today while he stays here. I’m terrified of what might happen to her on the voyage. She’s so ill already. But I hardly dare to defy Lady Eleanor. She doesn’t take it kindly when someone crosses her. If I don’t send Adelaide, I don’t know what she’ll do to us.”
She was laying it on thick. Would he see through her ruse?
“I have no desire to anger Her Grace,” he said, studying the letter. “Adelaide leaves today, but not with Lord Martin or hismen. I’ll send her myself with my own trusted men and a healer to see to it that she survives the journey.”
