The guard on her right, his hold upon her arm firm, nodded. “Lord Grey. Mistress Cristina was caught trying to slip along the shore past the knights camped there.”
The earl and his brothers halted before her, the four massive men forming an intimidating wall. “Where is Patrik?”
Emma held his angry gaze. “Sir Hugh de Cressingham has him.” She fought to control her emotions. “When I left, he was alive. Please, you must save him.”
Sir Alexander stepped forward. “Save him?” He glared at his eldest brother. “’Tis a bloody trap.”
Sir Duncan’s eyes narrowed. “Is he dead?”
She shook her head, ashamed, deserving their wrath and so much more. “When I escaped he was alive.”
“Escaped?” Sir Alexander snorted.
“If we find Patrik dead,” Lord Monceaux said, “none will save you.”
“Who are you?” Though softly spoken, cold fury rolled through Lord Grey’s voice.
She steadied herself. “Emma Astyn.”
Sir Alexander cursed, Sir Duncan stared stunned, and the Earl of Grey’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“One of England’s top mercenaries,” the Baron of Monceaux said, fury etched within each word.
The pride she’d held at her hard-earned title, wilted beneath the reality of the harm she’d done. “Yes, but no longer.”
Lord Grey arched a skeptical brow. “And we are to believe you?”
“By God, lass,” Alexander growled, “Patrik lies dead and you think to spew words we will be foolish enough to swallow? Or to follow you to where Patrik is supposedlyheld?” His jaw tightened. “For what, the bastard Cressingham’s men to kill?”
Panic stole through her. “’ Tis the truth. I swear it. If you do not save Patrik, he will die!”
“That I believe,” the earl said. “If the deed is not already done.” Lord Grey stepped closer. “You will regret your part in this. Guards,” he called without taking his eyes from her, “take her to the dungeon.”
“No!” Emma struggled against his knights’ hold. “You must believe me!”
The earl motioned his men to take her away.
The knights started forward, their grasp firm.
Tears streamed down her face as she dug her heels into the dirt. Damn them! “You need me to show you where Patrik is.”
Silence.
The guards continued.
“Without my help, you cannot save him!” Frantic, she twisted in their hold, and caught sight of Lady Nichola near the keep holding her son, her face pale. Alexander’s wife had heard everything. As if it mattered. Or, maybe it did.
“Nichola,” Sir Alexander called, “go inside.”
“No.” Hysteria washed over Emma. To think, her only chance to save Patrik was to gain the help of the woman he’d tried to kill. A vague hope, but at this moment, all she had. “My lady, if help does not arrive, Patrik will die.”
Remoteness shrouded Lady Nichola’s eyes. “The choice to save him is not mine.”
“But your opinion matters,” Emma pleaded as the guards wrestled her forward. “You know the terror of being a captive, of believing your life is forfeit.”
Nichola swept a protective hand around her son, stepped back. “It is not the same.”
“No? Like Patrik, were you not betrayed?” Tears burned Emma’s throat as the guards continued to lead her away. “Patrik regrets his deed, damns his attempt on your life. In penance, he kept away from his brothers, away from a family he loves. My lady, a year has passed. Tell me, has he not sacrificed enough? Has he not grieved his mistakes long enough? Or will you never forgive him?”
