"Both your guards were killed in a skirmish. They shouldn't have challenged my men!"
The two of them, along with Fraser, would've been severely outnumbered. They likely had little chance of defeating so many. "Just be patient. You'll get what you're asking for," Cyrus shouted. Once he escorted Elspeth and Fraser safely to Castle Rebbinglen, he would return here with his army and see justice served. Just because the whoreson was an earl didn't mean he was above the law.
"Do not try any tricks or you will regret it. I can kill Fraser right now, break down those flimsy gates, and drag Lady Grey out by her hair if I so choose. You only have a few guards left. You are greatly outnumbered."
"I'll take these deeds out to him." Elspeth's voice came from behind him.
Cyrus jerked around. "I told you to go into the cellar. 'Tis not safe for you here!"
"Nor is it safe for you here," she snapped.
"Elspeth…" He was ready to give her a severe tongue-lashing, but she held up her hand, and he was shocked to realize that alone stopped him.
"I will deal with Henry," she said with calm determination. "I'm the reason he's here. I'm the reason Fraser was taken hostage, so I need to be the one to get him released."
"Are you mad?" Cyrus demanded.
She shook her head. "I have a plan."
"What kind of plan?"
"The reason I was in the study so long this morn is that I've been finishing faux copies of my deeds." She held up the rolled parchments, tied with a blue ribbon.
Surprised, he frowned. "Why?"
"'Twill buy us some time. They look very similar to the originals with a few key changes. Mayhap he will release Fraser if I sign them over. Then, we can go elsewhere before he realizes they're not real."
She had a brilliant idea, Cyrus had to admit. Mayhap the counterfeits would at least allow him to get her and Fraser back to Castle Rebbinglen. "Can I see them?"
"I'm growing impatient!" the whoreson yelled outside. "Your brother's life means naught to me!"
"You'll have to wait until she dons her cloak." Cyrus stalled for time, yet his gut knotted with the need to hurry and get Fraser away from the madman.
Elspeth removed the ribbon and spread the deeds out on the small table.
Cyrus moved closer to examine them, amazed at their realistic appearance. "They appear aged. How did you do this?"
"I used old, faded parchment. After the ink dried, I crumpled them a bit and rubbed the lettering with rough sackcloth so the ink wouldn't appear so fresh. For the wax seals, I used a small knife to carve them."
"I'm impressed by how authentic they look. I'll take them out to the knave and exchange them for Fraser." Cyrus rerolled the deeds.
Elspeth held out her hand. "I'll do that. I doubt he would harm me."
Annoyance grated at Cyrus's nerves. "Don't be naïve. He would love naught more than to kill you."
A loud crash sounded below. He spun to look out the window. Four of Dalacroy's men were ramming a log against the iron bars.
"They're breaking down the gates." He handed her the deeds. "After you sign these, leave them here on the table and go back inside, into the cellar, where you'll be safe."
"Nay, I'll give them to him myself. Besides, he will want to watch me sign them over to him." Her cloak swirled as she spun and hastened down the steps.
Fear for her life ripping through him, Cyrus followed her to ground level, then grasped her arm. "You're not going out there. You're going back inside the house." Cyrus picked her up and carried her quickly across the courtyard and up the entry steps. Once in the hall, he set her on her feet.
Defiance in her eyes, she backed away from him. "'Tis my fault Fraser is in such danger now. I will get him released. Henry won't kill me."
"Not until after you sign everything over to him, then he will be most eager to murder you."
"Mayhap I can talk some sense into him."
