He hesitated for a few agonizing seconds, then without another word, he took her hand and pulled her behind him. She wanted to beg him to let her take her son, but she would not jeopardize his life. He would be unattended until Garrick woke, and he might get into mischief, but he would not be in any real danger. And Garrick would live to care for him.
They mounted the two horses Garrick and Cedric had come on and rode toward Garrick’s house. Now that Brenna did not have to fear for Garrick, she became terrified for herself. She had escaped this man once, and she would do it again, she assured herself. They rode only a short way before they were hailed by another rider, a woman. Brenna was surprised when Cedric halted.
When Yarmille saw Cedric and Brenna together, she became alarmed. The bungling oaf had taken too long to finish the task she paid him for. Why did he have to come now, when Brenna was to leave on the morrow, taking her son with her?
So many times she had tried to do away with the Celtic wench, who was one more obstacle in her way. When the girl had the fever, Yarmille had nursed her well. She had given her potions which made her body reject all nourishment. And she thought surely that leaving the balcony door open in Garrick’s room for most of the day would have done the trick. But the girl lived.
It was too bad it was not Garrick who had become ill and she was summoned to tend him. Then she would not have had to worry about his future entanglements and the bastards he might sire. And breed he did, another heir to stand in her way. She had thought his son would never be when Brenna took her fall in the woods. Again her longawaited goal was thwarted.
Yarmille had yet to devise a means to kill Garrick and his brother. But she would eventually—and their sons. At least if Cedric finally took Brenna away, there would be no more sons born to stand in her way.
Brenna felt hope when she recognized Yarmille, but that was quickly shattered when Yarmille reached them and Brenna saw the horse she rode, the horse that had run her down in the woods.
“You remember me, Borgsen? I am Adosinda.”
Cedric laughed. “I did think you were younger, mistress.”
“It has taken you long enough to finish what I paid you for,” she said angrily, ignoring his remark.
“I thought her dead until Garrick brought me here to face her. She will not return again, mistress.”
“Garrick brought you here! Where is he?” Yarmille asked excitedly. “Did you kill him?”
“Nay, I left him alive. I have no time for further questioning. He will not be unconscious long.”
“Never fear, Borgsen,” Yarmille laughed. “I will take care of Garrickandhis son. He will not follow you.”
“Nay, mistress. I will be blamed.”
“Fool!” Yarmille shouted wildly. “Shewill be blamed! ’Tis well known she hates both father and son. Anselm Haardrad was taking her away on the morrow, away from his family before she kills them all!”
“She lies, Cedric!” Brenna gasped. “Her name is Yarmille. Her son is Anselm’s bastard.”
“Yea, and I hate them as she does. But my son, not hers, will be Anselm’s heir!”
“Hugh is heir, and he has a son. Will you kill them also?”
“Hugh does not have a son, nor will he ever. When he was a child with the fever, it rendered him only half a man. Your sister lied and I told Anselm this, but he did not believe me. So yea, they will die also. All of Anselm’s sons and their sons. All but mine!” Yarmille rode on toward Brenna’s house.
“You must stop her!” Brenna cried.
“There is no time, wench.”
“Youwill be hunted down for her deed.”
“I let Garrick live, knowing he would follow. There is no difference. I will sail to Erin or Finland, far away.”
“She is going to kill my son!” Brenna screamed, beside herself with fear. She tried to turn her horse around, but Cedric grabbed the reins. However, Brenna could not be stopped now, not unless he killed her. She jumped off her horse and started running back to her son and Garrick. She had to stop Yarmille, she had to! Cedric rode up beside her and lifted her onto his horse. She fought like a cornered tiger, until a blow to her head brought blackness, and a terrifying end to her struggles.
The water of the fjord was choppy, the current swift. Brenna was aroused by the rocking of a small boat. Fear had not left her for a second and she awoke thrashing her arms, still fighting to be free. But she was not bound and Cedric’s back was to her as he pushed the boat away from Garrick’s landing.
Brenna’s desperation defied reason. She thought only of getting back to the landing, of finding Yarmille before it was too late. Without taking into account her inability to swim, she jumped into the water before Cedric was aware that she was conscious. She went under instantly, but fought her way back to the surface. She could hear Cedric screaming at her before she sank again.
The current carried her along and she smashed into the boards under the landing. She pulled herself back to the surface, clinging to a wooden plank, and then she saw Cedric coming toward her in the boat. Why in God’s name didn’t he give up and go away?
Brenna tried reaching the bank where she could easily get to the path leading up the cliff. But Cedric was too close. He would be there before she crawled out of the water. She maneuvered her way under the landing, propelling herself from plank to plank, until she reached the other side. Cedric was forced to go around, which gave her more time. Here there was only jagged rock for many yards, blocking her way to the cliff path. She skirted around the rock, cutting her fingers as she clung to it. Finally she came to an area where she could crawl out of the water. It did not matter that she was already exhausted, for Cedric was fast approaching, rowing the little boat like a man possessed.
Brenna scaled the cliff as quickly as she could, grabbing branches, sharp rocks and anything else her fingers touched, to secure her hold. She edged her way back toward the landing, sure that Cedric could move no faster than she and so would have no advantage. But he had already left the boat and was gaining on her, screaming that he would kill her now. And then there was nothing left for her to grab hold of, only smooth rock. She could no longer move up or to the left. Cedric was directly below her.
