Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
When Hedley saw her, his mouth dropped open and, for a moment, he was speechless. Then words rushed out of him. “Good Lord, you are beautiful.”
Noble saw how Lady Elizabeth smiled, and her chest expanded with pride, but again she wisely held her tongue.
“Leora is my wife and will remain my wife. There is no proof that she is Lady Elizabeth’s granddaughter,” Noble said. “You have traveled to the Highlands for nothing, and I will see that you and Lady Elizabeth leave the Highlands with nothing.”
“As long as I leave with my life, I do not care,” Hedley said, wringing his hands. “But you should know your wife is not safe. The mercenaries Lord William hired intend to abduct and ransom her for more coins than agreed upon. They claim they are not being paid enough for going against the Gallowglass.”
“What leverage do they have for such a demand? It would be foolish of them to kill her for then they have nothing to bargain with,” Ross said, and Lady Elizabeth nodded anxiously as if it was the question she would have asked.
“That is an easy answer,” Noble said. “They will sell her to the highest bidder.”
Lady Elizabeth looked puzzled.
Ross’ eyes went wide.
Leora reached for her husband’s hand and as soon as hers touched his, his hand devoured hers, clutching it firmly, and she looked directly at him when she said, “An enemy of the Gallowglass, of which I imagine there are many.”
Lady Elizabeth gasped.
Hedley nodded. “She is right. That is their intention.”
“So, they abduct Mother Abbess believing Noble will go rescue her, send you ahead under the pretense that you fear them and just want to go home—”
Hedley interrupted, “I do fear them. They are savages and now that they have banded together—”
“Banded together?” Noble asked.
“Aye,” Hedley said, nodding. “Three troops have joined together to demand more coin from Lord William, though some favor selling her to one of your enemies, feeling they will get more coin from them.”
“May I speak, Chieftain Noble?” Lady Elizabeth requested.
“I know what you will say. You have the coin to meet their demand,” Noble said.
“I do and I will pay whatever it takes to see my granddaughter safe, and she will be safe in the Lowlands. Both of you come home with me where you will not have to worry about losing her. A home where she will finally be safe.”
Leora could see her husband question the wisdom of such a decision since she knew he would do anything to keep her safe. Lady Elizabeth needed to be reminded of what Leora and Noble had told her on endless occasions and her husband also needed to hear her say it again as well.
“That is generous of you, Lady Elizabeth, and I and my husband are most grateful for your generosity, but we do not even know if I am your granddaughter. And as we both have told you time and again, neither of us will ever leave the Highlands.”
Noble squeezed her hand, her reassurance that nothing would have her leaving the Highlands chasing away any thought of even considering the older woman’s offer.
Noble turned his attention on Hedley. “So, you have come here today seeking my help, seeking protection from the mercenaries hired to kill my wife so you can inherit Clan MacMurray, and you expect me to believe what you say?”
Hedley returned to wringing his hands as he spoke. “I never wanted your wife dead, that was Lord William’s doing. He gave those orders. I did not even want to come here but Lord William insisted I see it done. But no inheritance is worth my life. I want nothing more than to go home.”
“And after trying to kill my wife, I should simply let you go?” Noble asked.
Hedley’s whole body started trembling. “I wanted no part of that.”
“And yet you were part of it,” Noble accused.
A quiver ran through his every word. “Please, I beg you. I just want to go home. I mean your wife no harm.”
Noble turned to Finley. “See him held prisoner until I decide otherwise.”
“I am guilty of being a fool, nothing more. Please, I beg you have mercy,” he cried as he was led out of the Great Hall.
“It is imperative that Mother Abbess is found,” Leora said. “She may be able to tell us something that will help end this dilemma.”
“If she knew something, wouldn’t she have said something by now?” Ross asked.
“Nuns see much but say little,” Noble said.
“The very reason many a nobleman is a benefactor to an abbey,” Lady Elizabeth said. “The nuns keep their secrets.” She was quick to glance at Noble. “It is not easy for me to hold my tongue, but I will do my best.”
“I would make certain of it if I were you since you will not like the promised consequences,” Noble reminded. “Now go and do your part in the plan, an easy task for you since it allows you to do as much talking as you like.”