Chapter Fifteen #3
Jack hoped Bella’s father could now find some relief from his pain, although he feared that Lord Redesdale’s peace may have come at too high a cost.
BELLA FOUGHT TO HOLD in the sobs that threatened to escape as she raced to her father’s side. Her heart still pounded in her ears at having seen him unleash such rage. To witness him pummel a man to a bloody mess, even a man as vile as Lord Percy, had rocked her to her core.
His face softened when he saw her. “Bella,” he gasped, pulling her close.
“Papa, are you all right?” she asked, searching his face with concern.
Before her father could answer, Jack spoke with an urgency that stole Bella’s breath. “Listen to me, both of ye. ‘Tis imperative that we leave now!”
Doom closed in around her. “Do you mean that you and I must leave or my father, too?”
Jack raked his free hand through his hair. “Yer da just denounced King Edward. He’s guilty of treason.”
Bella’s eyes flashed wide. “Nay, he was angry. Surely, his outburst will not bring the consequences of treason.”
A breath later, Hugh was at her side. “He’s right! There is no time to waste. You must go! Now!”
Fear gripped her heart. Her father took her hand. “I do not regret what I said.” His voice broke. “I spoke the truth. A truth I have swallowed every day since the last time I brought your mother home.”
For the first time in years, her father’s eyes shone bright and clear. A sob tore from her throat, and she threw her arms around his neck.
“You have to go,” Hugh said louder. Terror had widened his eyes. “It will not take Lord Percy long to gather his men. He will come back.” He gripped Bella’s shoulders. “You and your father will be arrested. You will be sent to the Tower, and your father will be put to death.”
The room started to spin around her. “Oh, God.” Her knees gave way, but Hugh caught her.
The abbot came forward then. “I fear Lord Hugh and Jack are correct, my lady.”
“Listen to me,” Hugh said. “You and your father must run. You cannot delay.” Hugh turned to Jack.
“Ride north and do not stop until you run out of land. Edward will hunt for them.” Hugh shifted his gaze back to her.
Tears stung her eyes. He pulled her close.
“I have never imagined life without you. If only I had—” He shook his head.
“No, it is too late.” He cupped her cheeks.
“Be Jack’s or someone else’s. I don’t care.
I only care that you live. Promise me you will live! ”
She nodded through her tears. “I promise,” she said, her heart pounding.
Hugh drew a shaky breath, stepped back, and faced Jack. “Do not delay.” Then he turned on his heel and started toward the doors. Isabella gripped her stomach while she watched Hugh leave her house and her life forever. The room was spinning.
“Do not panic, Bella,” Jack said, grabbing her shoulders.
Swallowing down her tears, she nodded, gaining strength from his midnight eyes. She turned to her father and took hold of his hands. “Papa, it is time.”
Lord Redesdale’s eyes darted about the hall. “But what of our home, our things?”
Jack’s fist came down hard on the table behind her, causing her to jump. “They’re no longer yers,” he said impatiently. “The only possession ye have now is yer life and the lives of yer daughters!”
Bella’s heart sank at the mention of her sister. She did not doubt that her sister’s life would come under threat. “Catarina!” She grabbed Jack’s arm. “My sister’s husband, he is not a kind man. There’s no telling what he might do!”
Jack squeezed her hand, then turned to Quinn. “Ride to Ravensworth Castle and retrieve the Lady Catarina. Ride as if yer very life depends on it. For as sure as the sun will rise, Lady Catarina’s life is at stake!”
Quinn nodded and bowed low to Isabella. Lifting his head, his dark eyes smiled up at her.
“Fear not, Bella. I will steal your sister away and protect her with my life if need be.” Without another word, Quinn turned on his heel and raced from the hall.
Bella watched until he was gone, praying all the while that he reached Catarina before news of their father’s crime.
“Jack,” Abbot Matthew said. “We must hurry. We’ll leave the wagon and help ourselves to Lord Redesdale’s horses.”
Jack nodded and grabbed Bella’s arm, pulling her toward the door. “It has to be now!”
“Wait,” she said.
Jack shook his head. “No more delays, Bella.”
“But would not coin be helpful to us?” she asked.
He paused for a moment, his pulse ticking at his neck. Then he threw his hands up. “Aye, coin is always helpful.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll be right back,” she said before racing from the hall and up the stairs to her father’s solar.
Unlocking the large chest beside his bed, she grabbed several bags of coin and her mother’s jewels.
Piling everything into a leather satchel, she swung the bag over her shoulder and raced back to the hall.
“We are ready, Jack,” she said, barreling into the room.
“Why does everyone keep calling him Jack?” her father asked. “I thought his name was Brother Peter.”
Isabella grabbed his arm. “I’ll explain after we’ve escaped with our lives!”