Truly Madly Plaid by Eliza Knight

Author:Eliza Knight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2020-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Just as the first fingers of dawn reached up to scrape her nails across the land, Fiona gave the signaled knock on the door.

“Ye must leave now,” she said, staring behind her into the distance. “I was discreet, but there is a contingent of dragoons not five miles away. They will reach here before the day is through. I’ve a new package to deliver, and I’ll no’ be able to return. Please, Annie. Go now.”

Annie stifled a cold shudder that started at the base of her spine. The farm fields stretching away behind Fiona were bare of life, reminding her just how alone they truly were. She’d known this day was coming, but she’d faced down the enemy before. She could do it again.

“Can ye take Leonard and Andy with ye? I’ll get the rest of us to safety.”

“Aye, but why do ye no’ come with me now?” Fiona glanced behind her again, her nervous energy spreading quickly through the room.

Annie tugged her inside, shut the door, and then beckoned Fiona to follow her into the back room of the house, a bedchamber that she and Eppy had shared with Mrs. Sullivan. With the door shut, she said, “We will only slow ye down. Andy and Leonard are the most healed. Ye’ve a package to deliver, ye said so yourself.”

Fiona started to shake her head, but Annie pressed her hands to her friend’s shoulders and whispered, “We will only slow ye down. I promise, I will be safe. We will figure out a way to meet soon so that ye can see for yourself.”

“I dinna like it.” Fiona pressed her lips together in a frown. “We are supposed to be doing things together.”

“Nay, we’re no’. We vowed to help the prince, and each of us has our own talents for that.” Annie tossed her friend a winning smile in hopes of changing the subject. “Before ye go, will ye eat some stew? ’Tis quite good.”

Fiona shook her head, sadness making her eyes droop. She did not return Annie’s smile, which sent Annie’s belly into a swirling storm of apprehension.

“There is no time, my friend,” Fiona said. “Leave the stew. Ye must escape, and ye must do it now.”

“I will.” This time Annie didn’t bother to hide her fear behind a smile. “And I’ll see ye soon.”

Fiona nodded, thrusting a small velvet bag into Annie’s hands. “Keep this in case ye need it.”

Annie unwrapped the packet as Fiona opened the door. The men in the main part of the cottage were quick to appear busy, most likely having been listening at the door to every word exchanged.

In her hand, Annie held a jeweled brooch in the shape of a Tudor rose, pearls, rubies, and gold forming the white and red petals and the golden center.

“What?” Annie shook her head. “I canna take this.”

Fiona glanced at her. “Aye, ye can, and ye will. It should be enough to free ye if ye’re caught.”

“Or get me arrested for thievery.”

Fiona shook her head, a soft smile on her lips.

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