“He is a good man. ’Tis indeed a miracle you met.”
“Our meeting was nay accident.” Guilt weighed upon her, more so at learning the priest held Cailin in high regard, which had erased any lingering distrust toward him. She needed to confess her sins. “In truth, a guard I had met on several occasions agreed to help Blar escape, but for a price. So, several days ago, I robbed two men. After I fled, they caught up with me and…” She closed her eyes, shoved the harrowing memory aside, then met the priest’s somber gaze. “Cailin heard my screams and rescued me.”
He made the sign of the cross. “I owe him a debt of gratitude for saving your life.”
“As do I, but instead I—” She dragged a steadying breath and rubbed her injured ankle. “Instead of giving Cailin thanks after he saved my life, I placed powdered valerian root in his ale at the inn he brought me to, to recover. Once he fell asleep, I stole his broadsword and brought the weapon to Wautier Brecnagh to sell for cointo free Blar.”
Sparks snapped in the hearth and flames illuminated the displeasure rippling across the priest’s face. “Your decisions were nay ones that would cull praise, but—” His voice softened, “—they were guided by desperation.” He glanced toward where Cailin’s empty sheath hung, frowned. “You said that you took Sir Cailin’s sword, but he has it with him.”
“I did. While waiting for Wautier Brecnagh to pay me, I overheard him whispering to his assistant that he had recognized the coat of arms on the sword. You can imagine my shock when I heard the broadsword belonged to Sir Cailin’s father. Before the merchant returned, I slipped away and returned the weapon. But,” she admitted, humbled by the knight’s kindness, “Cailin was too much a gentleman to expose my duplicity to you.”
He stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. “Though your actions were spurred by fear for Blar, you are fortunate that Cailin is an honorable man, moreso than many.”
“I am,” she rasped.
“Nor will you risk such dangerous actions again.” He scowled. “If you need help, come to me, or send a message. I have many connections.”
“I will, Father. I ask for penance to atone for my transgressions.”
Wizened eyes held hers with somber regard as he made the sign of the cross. “Say three Hail Marys before you go to sleep.”
“I will. I thank you, Father.”
The scrape of the door had her glancing toward the entry. Heat stung her cheeks as Cailin stepped inside.
“Did you see any sign of anyone out there?” Father Lamond asked.
“Nay.” Cailin dusted the snow off his boots, then secured his broadsword in the sheath. “To make sure, I made an extra round along the perimeter, then sat and listened for a while.”
The tautness in her body eased. They were safe, but for how long? Nor could she erase the worry. “Father, there are only three of us. What if the earl’s men come during the night?”
Cailin stepped forward. “Elspet, I—”
The priest stood. “A credible concern, given the circumstances, and one in which I can offer a bit of ease. As you notice, this floor is made of wood.” He walked to where the large rug lay atop worn slats, rolled it back, then slid his finger into what looked like a crack in the plank, lifted it.
Inside the opening, the top of a ladder disappearedinto blackness.
Elspet gasped. “A secret hideaway?”
“Aye,” the priest replied. “If ’tis necessary to remain there for a few days, a candle and flint are in the chest below, along with supplies and several blankets. If a threat requires that you escape, the chamber narrows to a tunnel that exits a distance into the forest.”
Her shoulders sagged with relief. Though danger still existed, to know they couldn’t be trapped inside… “You have thoughtof everything.”
“I canna accept the praise of the design. “The cottage was prepared for my use,” he said. “I but live here, and I assure you, I am immensely grateful for the details considered inthe planning.”
“As I and pray we dinna need to use the hidden chamber or tunnel.” Elspet glanced at Cailin, perplexed at the lack of surprise on his face, as if he’d expected some such twist, then gave an internal shrug as exhaustion set in. He was as tired as she, and his concerns were no doubt focused on his uncle’s men insearch of them.
She picked up her mug and plate and cleaned them off before heading to her bed. As she climbed in, she glanced over, noted that Cailin and the priest were deep in conversation.
Wind howled outside, reminding her of their night in the cave, of how he’d held her and the comfort she’d felt in his arms. For that brief time, in contrast to the terror of the past few days, she’d felt a senseof rightness.
After making the sign of the cross, Elspet pressed her hands together in prayer. “?Hail Mary, full of grace,’” she whispered, pouring her soul into each word, each verse drenched with regret. After she finished, she repeated the prayer two more times, then again made the sign of the cross. Though she’d completed her penance, guilt twisted in her gut.
What of Blar? Please God let him be alive, and let them find a way to save him.
Her lids heavy with sleep, Elspet turned toward the wall. She ached for her parents as well, wished back the time, wished that she could tell them how muchshe loved them.
The quiet voices of Father Lamond and Cailin reached her, a reminder that she wasn’t alone.
