Page 98 of The Darkland

“Back to Haslingden until Kirk can come for me.”

Lily shook her head, exasperated. “My father would find you there just as easily,” she said. “Mara, don’t you see? You cannot refuse this, darling. Iknow you love Kirk. I know he will return for you. But he is not here now, and he cannot save you from this marriage. You have no choice.”

Mara stared at Lily, a creeping sense of defeat filling her.But no. She would not accept it. She couldn’t.

“Lily,” she said as she averted her gaze. “You have been a true and sweet friend. I… I have never known such friendship and I want to thank you very much.”

Lily put a hand on her arm. “As I have never had a friend like you, either,” she said. “You are humorous and curious and lovely. I am so sorry this has happened, darling, truly.”

Mara patted her hand but then she moved away from it, heading towards one of the small lancet windows that let light into the chamber.

“Will you do something for me if I ask it?” she asked.

Lily nodded. “If I can, you know I will.”

“I want you to leave me alone. Please.”

Lily wasn’t so sure about the request. Mara hadn’t been alone since the day of her father’s announcement, and for good reason. Everyone was aware of that fact, especially Mara. Therefore, her question had Lily on edge.

“I… I would like to, of course,” she stammered. “But….”

“Please,” Mara said firmly, turning to look at her. “I swear I will not try to harm myself in any way.”

Lily looked at her dubiously. “Do you promise? A promise above all promises?”

“I swore, didn’t I?”

“But why do you want to be alone?”

“I just do,” she said softly. “I just want to… think. I have so much to think about. Please indulge me, Lily. Just for a little while.”

Reluctantly, Lily nodded. “Very well,” she said. “I will leave you to your thoughts. Shall I send up some food?”

Mara shook her head. “No food.”

With a final lingering gaze, Lily hesitantly quit the room. As soon as the door shut softly behind her, Mara ran to the door and threw the big iron bolt. The door and frame, built like a fortress with great iron supports, was built to withstand a siege.

By dinner, a dozen men were still trying to force it open.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Spencer could seethe torches on the battlements of Quernmore in the distance and he sighed with relief; they were almost home. He couldn’t wait to see Lionel’s expression when he told him what had become of Edmund and Johanne. If Lionel didn’t believe him, he’d brought three reliable witnesses with him.

In the darkness of early evening, Micheline rode beside him astride a small gray palfrey, having exchanged her peasant clothing for more suitable attire. Behind them rode Valdine and Wanda, wrapped up in heavy cloaks astride their own palfreys, and terrified of traveling on the open road. Having rarely ventured out of Anchorsholme, they had an unnatural fear of the outside world. Micheline kept glancing back at them to make sure they were well. Since they had tried, and succeeded, in saving her from her prison, she felt an obligation to take care of them.

“They are fine, Lady de Cleveley,” Spencer said when she turned around for the hundredth time since leaving Anchorsholme. “You worry like a mother hen.”

Micheline looked at him, smiling weakly. “They do not look very well.”

Spencer glanced over his shoulder at the pair, riding so close that they were nearly on top of each other. All they could see was their pale faces peering out from behind their heavy hoods.

“How can you tell?” he asked with feigned seriousness.

Micheline giggled. “You’ll not make light of them,” she scolded softly. “They are brave beyond measure.”

Spencer was looking at her, a glimmer in his eye. “I do not make light of them, I assure you,” he said. “They were indeed brave to do what they did for you. But I would say, baroness, that you are braver and stronger because you, in fact, survived the Darkland. I have the utmost respect for you.”

Micheline blushed demurely. “Were it not for you, my lord, I am not sure what would have happened to us.”