The Bride Hunt by Margo Maguire

Author:Margo Maguire [Margo Maguire]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Isabel was mortified. She should have known Anvrai had a reason for leaving his scars exposed. The cruelty he’d survived surely gave him the right to present his face any way he chose. She muttered another apology and left him, swallowing the tears that threatened to fall. ’Twas clear he did not appreciate her sympathy and would abhor any tears on his behalf. Clearly, he felt it a just penance to go through life with his disfigurement for all to see.

Isabel’s tears fell only when she was well away from the cottage. How could a child of eight years be held responsible for protecting his entire family? A whole garrison of knights had failed to protect Kettwyck from Scottish raiders. ’Twas not fair for Anvrai’s father to have charged his son with the task of saving his mother and sister.

Too shaken by Anvrai’s story to return to the cottage, Isabel walked to the brook and began to pace. Anvrai was the most heroic man she’d ever known. He was a fierce warrior, but it was his smallest deeds that garnered her admiration…his tending of the wound in her foot, his gentle handling of Tillie, his tolerance of Roger’s petty behavior. These were the things that—

A sound in the distance caught Isabel’s attention, and she stopped in her tracks. Boisterous male voices were coming from the direction of the path.

In haste, she returned to the clearing just as Anvrai came out of the cottage. He appeared relieved to see her, but his irate expression quickly returned.

“Men are coming this way—” she started to say, but it was clear the others had already heard the voices.

“’Tis Cormac’s friends,” Tillie cried.

“How many?” Anvrai demanded.

Her face paled and she took Anvrai’s arm. “I know of three…Please! Please don’t let them hurt me!”

Anvrai’s expression was resolute. As much as he’d disliked being caught up in the birth of Tillie’s bairn, the Scots would have to go through him to get to her. Isabel felt a surge of confidence in his attitude.

“They are likely some of the men I followed earlier.”

Tillie’s eyes darkened with fear. “They carry axes and swords. They’ll be d-drinking skins of ale…laughing…but c-cruel.”

Anvrai placed his hands upon Tillie’s shoulders. “Can you stand here until they arrive?” His voice was hushed, urgent.

“Here in the yard? No! Please do not make me!”

“I’ll keep you safe, Tillie,” he said. “I need you to do this. The Scots must think naught is amiss when they come into the clearing, and you are the key to convincing them.”

He looked at Isabel. “Take the bairn and go into the cottage, Isabel. Stay there and stay quiet. Roger, go with Isabel, but prepare yourself to come out with the ax as soon as you hear me make the first strike with my sword. We’ll take them by surprise.”

He turned back to the young girl, who stood quaking in fear. “Tillie, look at me,” he said. “Do you trust me to keep you safe?”

She swallowed, then nodded.

“Good. Because the success of the plan hinges upon you.

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