Page 63 of Ella’s Desire

And not just any key—the one to the secret entrance.

Her heart stopped. “I think I know exactly why they would do this.” She held out the key. “They knew Hardy would die to protect them.”

Bronson studied the key and uttered a low, uncourtier-like curse. “Hardy, do you know where the girls are?”

The gray dog whimpered and curled his skinny body forward, his tail flickering in a nervous wag. Bronson held the blue ribbon to the dog. “Go to Leila and Lark!”

Hardy sniffed it and then took off to the right. Ella and Bronson raced through the forest until Hardy stopped abruptly on the outskirts where he grumbled and snuffled at the ground. He took several steps in one direction, then the other and sniffed again. Another pitched whimper told Ella and Bronson all they needed to know: Hardy could not find their trail.

The girls were gone.

“We need to return to the castle to inform Papa,” Ella said. “They may have been taken for ransom.” Even as she spoke, Bronson was already making his way to the horses.

Hardy led the way back home, keeping so many paces ahead of the horses Ella worried he might become lost and lose his way. But each time they crested a hill, a visible gray streak showed across the landscape. At last they arrived at the keep and left their horses with Peter. Any suspicion or animosity on Bronson’s part toward the Master of the Horse had completely disappeared in light of his concern for his sister.

“There has been a missive.” Peter took their horse’s reins. “The earl awaits you in the great hall.”

Ella’s heart sank as her suspicions were proven correct, for a missive could only mean one thing: Ransom.

Bronson’s hand found Ella’s and together they hastened to the great hall. Papa looked up as soon as they entered and quickly approached. In the distance, Brigid wept softly into a square of linen with her servant, Jane, at her side.

“Have they asked for a ransom?” Ella asked her father.

He nodded, his face ashen. “It’s the Armstrongs. They’ve requested an exorbitant sum.”

Ella looked to Bronson, expecting him to lift his chin and claim it would be paid, no matter the cost. Except he did not speak up. In fact, his face had gone as gray as her father’s.

“What is the demand?” She pressed. “We must pay it.” She dug in her pocket for the key to the secret entrance and displayed it for her father. “We found this on Hardy’s collar. He’d been tied to a bush by a blue ribbon, one Lark had been wearing earlier.”

Her father took the key from Ella and slowly curled it into his fist. He closed his eyes as one did when they bore a great pain. “Then it is true. They knew they were being pursued.”

Ella’s heart squeezed. “They saved Hardy and kept us all safe.”

“But at what cost?” Bronson asked quietly. “We cannot allow anything to happen to them.”

William rushed into the room. His gaze found Brigid and his steps faltered for only a moment before continuing his path to Ella’s father.

“My lord, we can give the funds requested, but it would take a good portion from the amount set aside to cover the grain for this winter.” William held out a ledger. “I do not even know how we could transport so much coin safely.”

Ella’s father scrubbed a hand over his face. “And so, I must choose between my daughter, or my people?”

Shock and fear rocked through Ella. Her father was a wealthy man, more so than most nobles. If they were requesting a sum that would cut into the means for their winter store, surely the request was indeed staggering. And yet, how could they sacrifice Lark and Leila, girls who were only just beginning to become women, barely starting to live their lives?

How could this be happening?

Ella turned to Bronson. “Can you not do something?”

He swallowed and shook his head.

“You have great wealth,” she whispered. “You speak of it often. Can you not spare some to aid our sisters? To keep them safe?” She clutched at his sleeves. “Bronson, please. They will be tortured. Killed. Or God knows what.”

Her words choked off. For God knew exactly what. And so did Ella.

He lowered his head. “I cannot help, Ella.”

“But—”

He stared down at his toes. “I do not have the means.”