Page 39 of The Laird's Masked Desire
Freedom, she thought, had many shapes.
And thinking of freedom, she couldn’t help but think, for the millionth time, of her sister. She couldn’t stop thinking of the moment when they would meet again. She could already imagine Eleonor’s relief, and then, the horror.
Margaret almost smiled at the thought. She had little patience for the lecture she knew would follow. Eleonor would scold her fiercely and then, inevitably, she would weep.
Ye should never have done that, she would say.
I ken, Margaret would reply.But I would dae it again.
Annabel hesitated beside her, then spoke gently. “Ye’ve gone quiet, me lady.”
Margaret did not answer at once. The loch breeze tugged at her sleeves, cool and steady. Finally, she sighed.
“I was thinking of me sister, Eleonor. How I wish I could see her…” She didn’t want to mention their plan yet, for she didn’t know whom she could trust to such an extent.
Annabel glanced back down the corridor, toward the guards who waited. “That would prove… difficult.”
“I cannae pretend it willnae be done,” Margaret whispered.
Annabel looked at her more closely now, and there was concern edging into her features. “Me lady…”
“I ken,” Margaret said, turning to face her. “I ken the danger. But we promised. I willnae leave her tae wonder whether I am safe or worse, tae think she has ruined me life by fleeing when I told her tae.”
Annabel’s lips parted, but Margaret pressed on. Her words were spilling now that she had begun.
“She was promised without being asked. She was told that her heart was a foolish thing and duty was a far greater one. And when she came tae me, she was terrified, in love and certain she would be broken if she stayed. I kent I had tae see her safe.” This was where her fingers tightened around the bracelet at her wrist. “If I dinnae go tae her, she will think she has destroyed me life. I will nae allow that.”
Annabel swallowed, and something told Margaret that this was a woman who understood her.
“Ye love her dearly.”
“With all that I am,” Margaret nodded.
Annabel then glanced back, as if to make sure that no one would overhear them. “The laird wouldnae permit?—”
“I am nae asking permission, Annabel,” Margaret said softly, taking her maid’s hands into her own. “I am asking fer help.”
The words hung between them.
Annabel’s first instinct was written plainly across her face. There was fear, reluctance, and finally, the weight of consequence. She shook her head faintly. “I cannae help ye disappear, me lady. I willnae be the reason harm comes tae ye.”
Margaret nodded. “Nor would I ask ye tae be.”
They stood in silence a moment longer, listening to the loch murmuring below.
Annabel drew a breath. “There is… another way.”
Margaret looked up sharply.
“Me husband,” Annabel continued, in a voice that was down to a barely audible whisper. “He’s one of the inner guards, trustedand quiet. If anyone were tae accompany ye beyond the walls without raising suspicion, it would be him.”
“A guard?” Margaret repeated.
“Tae keep ye safe,” Annabel said firmly. “I willnae agree tae anything else.”
Margaret considered it. The thought of being watched even in flight chafed, but the alternative was worse.
At last, she nodded. “All right.”
