The Scot's Pursuit - Keira Montclair Page 0,33
was his wedding night.
Chapter Ten
Osbert took Branwen’s hand and said, “I’ll never treat you so harshly, my lady.” He kissed her cheek and whispered, “I cannot wait to have you join me in my bed this eve. Why don’t you take care of the bairns and get our supper ready while I speak with your sire outside?”
Just like that, she had become a servant and a maid to someone else.
She stared after him, rubbing her arm where her father had twisted it to force her compliance. How she wished Alick had stayed. Or brought her with him.
Tears forced their way to the corners of her eyes, but she refused to feel downtrodden or defeated. She would prevail. She had to.
Fortunately, Lora came up behind her. “My lady, what will you do now?”
She glanced at the lass, seeing again the younger lass’s sympathy, and told her the truth. “I’ll run away. Tell me your sire’s schedule so I know when I have the best chance of leaving.”
Lora glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was there, then whispered, “Only if you take me with you.”
Branwen couldn’t have been more shocked. But a closer glance was revealing—the lass’s eyes were tired, her clothing threadbare, and the calluses on her hands were a testament to the hard work she did. “Are you sure?”
She gave a swift nod. “Aye. I beg you. Someday I’ll come back for Coira, but the others are mean and spoiled by my mother and father both. They’re allowed to do whatever they want and have no chores. I do it all.”
“The cooking?”
“Aye.” She nodded furiously, tears dotting her lashes.
“Do you wash the clothing?”
“Aye, in the stream, and I bathe the bairns, do their hair, wash the linens, clean the hut, and go to market for food. I also take care of the garden in the summer when it’s fruitful.”
“What does your sire do?” she asked, shocked by what she was hearing. This lass was worked harder than she had been.
“He goes to the center of the village and meets with the other men. He occasionally works the garden with me, but the older I get, the less he does. I know he’ll never allow me to marry.”
“How may winters are you?” Lora was quite pretty, and surely someone on Grant land would consider her a suitable wife. “Do you wish to marry?”
“Five and ten. And nay, I’ll never marry because I don’t wish to take care of bairns forever, but I’d like to get away. I’d become a nun before I would let some man tie me to this life of drudgery.”
“Where would you go? Do you have another relative you wish to visit?”
Lora shook her head and stared at the ground. “Mayhap you’ll think me foolish, but I have dreamed for many years about seeking out Gwyneth Ramsay. I wish to be an archer just like her. Maybe work for the Scottish Crown or just fights for the Scots.”
Branwen couldn’t help but smile. “I know someone who was trained by Gwyneth. She’s her niece, and I’d be pleased to introduce you to her. She gave me lessons.”
“Can you shoot an arrow?” The lass’s wide-eyed enthusiasm humbled her.
“Aye. I’ve been practicing. Although I’ve much work still to do.”
Lora gripped her hand in hers. “Please. Take me with you. We can help each other.”
Branwen considered her request for a moment, but she didn’t have to think for long. Why not? The lass knew the area better than Branwen did, so she could be a great asset. She honestly was uncertain if she could find her way back to Thane land, and she would need to be close to keep watch for the return of her husband. They’d also be safer traveling together. “All right. But we must leave before this eve. When is the best time for us to slip away?”
“Let’s make a big meal, and then you could ask for a tub bath. You could take it while the others are busy eating since they’ll be less likely to notice. We’ll slip out the back window.”
Branwen nodded, a small smile creeping across her face. “Sounds like a wonderful plan. Tell no one.”
She could tell Lora wished to jump up and down, but they had to keep their plan secret.
Branwen winked at Lora and said, “Time for us to make dinner for this eve. Help me find everything?”
Branwen had prepared a meal to the best of her ability, relying on Lora for help. Even though she was far