The Rock Read online

  Elizabeth sensed that something was bothering Helen, but it wasn’t until the end of the day when they were alone in the tent that she finally spoke.

  “It is probably not my place to say anything—and if I am overstepping my bounds, I apologize—but I can’t stand by and watch you make the same mistake I did, indeed if that’s what you are doing.”

  Elizabeth had no idea what she was talking about. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  “That’s because I’m doing a horrible job of this. I’m not usually so interfering.” The lovely redheaded healer took a deep breath. “I couldn’t help but notice how you looked at Thom MacGowan. Not just today, but before at Roxburgh.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened in horror. Oh God, was it that obvious?

  Lady Helen put her hand on her arm to comfort her—or maybe to steady her, as she suddenly felt wobbly. “Don’t worry,” she assured her. “I’m sure no one else has noticed. But I guess you could say that I know what to look for. I’ve been where you are right now.”

  “But you are married to the man you love.” Elizabeth didn’t realize how revealing her words were until they were out. A blush heated her cheeks.

  “Magnus was not my first husband.”

  Elizabeth had no idea. “He wasn’t?”

  Lady Helen shook her head. “I was married to his best friend for a short while—a few days, actually. William left on a mission the night of our wedding and was killed shortly afterward in an explosion.”

  William . . . like their son?

  Helen nodded, hearing the silent question. “Yes, our son is named after him.”

  Elizabeth’s heart immediately went out to her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “He was a wonderful man, and his passing was a great loss to all who knew him—Magnus and my brother suffered horribly. But I did not love him and never should have married him. It was unfair to him, and nearly cost me the love of the only man I’ve ever loved. A man whom I’ve known since I was a girl.”

  Just like me.

  “Why did you marry him?”

  Lady Helen shrugged helplessly, as if knowing that the explanation wasn’t going to be sufficient after the fact. “There were so many reasons. My family wanted it for one—William and my brother Kenneth were foster brothers.” The similarity with James and Randolph’s close friendship was not lost on her. “Kenneth and Magnus despised each other.”

  “But they are such good friends now.”

  Helen laughed. “Don’t let them hear you say that, they’d be horrified. Our families were involved in a long feud. Choosing Magnus would have meant not choosing my family.” Perhaps Elizabeth could understand that as well. “When I married William, I thought Magnus was lost to me. I’d hurt his pride in refusing him.” She gave her a look as if that might sound familiar, too. “He was stubborn. He told me he didn’t love me anymore. It wasn’t until after the ceremony that I realized he’d lied. But by then it was too late.”

  “As it is for me,” Elizabeth said, unable to hide her despondence.

  Lady Helen shook her head. “It isn’t too late. A betrothal can be broken. It will be unpleasant, but trust me, it will be better than the alternative. But . . .” Her voice left off, as if she was struggling with what to say. “You better act quickly.”

  “The wedding is in three weeks.”

  Lady Helen didn’t say anything, but she bit her lip.

  “What is it?”

  Lady Helen shook her head. “I’ve said too much. Magnus will be furious that I’ve said anything at all. But I’m not breaking any confidences.”

  She seemed to be trying to justify it to herself.

  It took Elizabeth a moment to put it all together, but when she did, she knew why Lady Helen was being so reticent. “They are planning something, aren’t they?” She didn’t need an answer. Randolph, the Guard, Thom . . . Oh God, Thom. Her eyes widened and she reached for one of the tent poles to steady herself. She recalled her earlier fears of why the Guard might be recruiting him. “He can’t . . . he wouldn’t,” she murmured to herself, and then looked at Helen in horror. “He’s going to try to climb Castle Rock, isn’t he?”

  Lady Helen appeared stunned that she’d guessed. She didn’t need to confirm it, Elizabeth already knew.

  “It’s suicide. I won’t let him do it!”

  He couldn’t die . . . Oh God. Tears choked her throat. She would die without him.

  The gaze that met hers was both sympathetic and sad. It was clear the other woman thought it was too late for that. “Just make sure he knows how you feel.”

  Elizabeth was already halfway through the flap of the tent.

  “Wait,” Helen said, pulling her back. “You can’t just walk across camp and confront him in front of everyone.”

  Elizabeth was shocked to realize that was exactly what she’d been about to do. Out of her mind with panic, she hadn’t been thinking of anything other than the fact that she had to stop him.

  “He’ll be with the others,” the healer said, almost to herself. “We’ll need to think of a way to get him alone.” She tapped her mouth with her finger. “Give me a few minutes.”

  Apparently Lady Helen was as good at subterfuge as Elizabeth. In less than that, she’d sent a page with a message that Thom was needed immediately in the “stable” area where the horses were kept. It was located on the far side of camp—due to the stench of the animals—and their conversation would be less likely to be observed.

  The boy was instructed not to mention who had given him the message. If questioned he was to say that something was wrong with the horse Thom had been given to ride.

  Knowing Thom’s affinity for horses, Elizabeth wasn’t sure it would be enough. But not long after she was in position—in the tent used to store the hay—she saw him walking toward her.

  Heart in her throat, she stepped out to block his path. His expression was so dark with fury she almost lost her courage. But then she remembered why she had to see him. “You can’t do it, Thom. I won’t let you.”

  He looked around as if he feared someone was watching them. But they were blocked from sight of the main camp by the tent.

  “What the hell kind of game are you playing? You shouldn’t be here, and you sure as hell shouldn’t be sending me false messages.”

  “I had to speak with you,” she said. “I know what you are planning, and you can’t do it—you’ll die.”

  He gave her a hard look—the only way he seemed capable of looking at her now. She chilled from the coldness in his eyes.

  “Whatever you think you know, it’s none of your concern.”

  “I know you are going to try to climb Castle Rock tonight and attempt to take the castle. And I know that it’s considered an impossible climb, and you’ll die if you try. I can’t let you do that.”

  His expression didn’t flicker—not once. Her desperate pleas bounced off him like pebbles on steel. “I believe you’ve made your faith in me perfectly clear. But if you have concerns, they should be for your betrothed.”

  He started to walk away, but she reached for his arm to stop him. “Wait, Thom, please. You have to listen to me. I made a mistake.”

  He went completely still. The look he gave her was so scathing it made her wish for the hard and impenetrable expression back. “You what?”

  “I made a mistake. You were right. I never should have agreed to marry Randolph. I love you. I’m so sorry.”

  He stared at her for a moment as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She felt like a maggot that had had the gall to crawl across his trencher.

  “You are unbelievable. Take your apologies, and whatever else you have to say, somewhere else. I don’t want to hear them.”

  “But—”

  The icy composure snapped. He took her by the arm and forced her gaze to his. His voice teemed with animosity and raw fury. “I don’t want to fucking hear it, Elizabeth. Whatever you have to say, it’s too late. You made your choice, you will have to live w