“My lord! My lord!” came the call, and she heard two men run up the stairs. Someone pounded on the chamber door of her captor.
De Hay’s gruff voice called out for them to enter.
She stood hidden, her heart beating away time, knowing how little she had left. She had to escape. She would not be the power for her father’s enemies or the tool to bring him down, no matter who or what kind of man he might wed her to.
There was a sudden and loud call to arms.
She mentally groaned. Caught again!
But from here abovestairs, men were running past and down into the great hall. The clank of weapons and boots, excited voices, and calls to get their mounts ready told her this was something other than her escape. The noise below was waning, so she shifted and tried to look out. There was no one about, but the door to de Hay’s chamber was open and she could hear the men talking.
Moving quickly, she headed for the chamber next to his,slipped inside, and sidestepped a large cache of weapons thrown on the floor. She hid behind a clothing rod hung with men’s robes and tunics. Breathing softly, heart beating hard, she slid a robe aside and took a look.
The room was completely empty, except for a long desk and chair and a massive carved wood bed that dominated the center of the room. But no one else was there now, though the bed linens were tossed aside and appeared slept in. She stepped out from behind the clothing, wondering how she could possibly escape.
The clang of weaponry came up from below and male voices filled the hallway.
A sudden sound of running steps from the tower made her freeze.
“She’s escaped!” The guard’s voice came through the hall. “She‘s escaped!”
Panicking, she dropped to the floor and crawled under the large bed, and was immediately assailed with the strong odor of urine. Wincing, she pushed the pisspot away from her head. A man came inside the room and she watched his feet. He stopped at the clothes rod and he began to dress quickly.
Glenna held her breath, afraid he would hear. She dared not move.
A loud curse came from the next chamber and de Hay bellowed, “Can you idiots not keep one woman locked inside that tower?”
“She hit me in the head with a laver!”
“Find her! Now!” There was a pause, then he shouted, “Frasyr!”
“Aye? In here!” the man in room called out, and de Hay came inside.
“Your cousin has sent for aid. They have been attacked. I must ride, and ride hard, yet I cannot leave until I know she is secured,” de Hay said angrily and he began to pace. “How can one feeble woman cause so much trouble?”
I am not feeble, she thought. You witless oaf.
“I would guess she is not the meek, slow-witted lamb she appeared to be,” Frasyr said.
She smiled.
“Of course she is not.” De Hay stopped pacing. “You will have to stay to keep her safe. I cannot risk taking her outside this stronghold. Your defenses here are strong. I trust you can keep her secure without my troops.”
“No siege could take Kinnesswood.,” Frasyr boasted.
“Aye, she is safest here…as long as we can manage to keep her locked up,” de Hay said dryly. “You might want to shackle her to the bed.”
“Spread-eagle,” Frasyr said, laughing.
“You forget yourself, “ de Hay said without humor. “She is still the daughter of a king, whether or not we support his right to rule. No harm must come to her.”
“I was jesting. I am well aware of her price.”
“I expect her to remain unharmed…and untouched. You do understand?”
“Aye,” Frasyr said with quiet seriousness. “She will be safe here. I give you my word.”
They spoke of Frasyr’s cousin, the king of Argyll, but she stopped listening when four grey furry feet padded into the room. The feet stopped beside the bed. The guard cat was back. The beast went down on its haunches and stared at her. “Meow…”
