Timeless Tales of Honor Read Free Page A

her dress to her bosom, as she searched his eyes for any sign as to what his intentions might be.
    He looked clearly sorrowful, but Aishlinn could not begin to fathom why.
    “I am so sorry for what he has done to you,” he whispered. “I should never have taken you to him. It was fear for my own well-being that made me do it.”
    Baltair had not expected Aishlinn to fight as fiercely as she had. Baltair had remained outside the earl’s chamber room door after he had brought Aishlinn to him. He had worked for the earl for many years and knew all too well how he treated young women. When he realized that Aishlinn was not going to give in to the earl’s demands, no matter how harshly the earl made them, Baltair knew in his heart what he must do. He could not bear the thought of another young girl being killed.
    As fast as he could, he had left Aishlinn alone with the earl long enough to saddle a horse for her potential escape. He was both surprised and relieved to see her standing on the stairs when he returned. Baltair had grabbed her when he realized she was going to attempt to escape through the kitchens where people were still awake.
    “No one deserved what he did to you and it is my fault for it,” he told her, his voice solemn. “I’ve a daughter about your age, Aishlinn. I’d never want her to go through what you did.”
    Seeing the guilt and sorrow in Baltair’s eyes, Aishlinn was fully prepared to thank him for helping her. He grabbed her hand and led her to the large fireplace before she could utter a word.
    “We must move quickly before anyone wakes,” he whispered. He drew back a large tapestry that hung on the wall next to the fireplace.
    “Say nothing,” he told her as he pulled her through a hidden doorway. “The sounds carry here.”
    Aishlinn had no choice but to follow him into the darkness. She stayed close, with one hand clinging to his, the other grasping firmly to the back of his coat.
    With each step, the pain in her ribs seemed to intensify, making it quite difficult to breathe. She pushed through the pain, for now she must concentrate on escape.
    Baltair led the way through a maze of corridors and tunnels that seemed to snake along endlessly. Aishlinn had no idea where he was leading her. She hoped the sound of her pounding heart would not echo through the hidden corridors. An eternity seemed to pass before they came upon a very narrow passage. It led through the thick walls of the castle and spilled out into the courtyard.
    Creeping quietly in the darkness, Baltair held a firm grip on Aishlinn’s hand. She wondered how Baltair was able to see in the darkness, for she could barely see the back of his head.
    The night air was frigid and brought goose bumps to her bare skin for she still wore only her shift. She did not complain of the cold or the stones and sticks that pricked at her bare feet. Freedom was too close at hand for complaint.
    They hugged the castle wall and walked a good distance before Baltair led her toward the large arched entranceway of Castle Firth. Soon they passed through a small wooden door hidden by heavy vines and before she knew it they were walking along the dirt road that led away from the castle.
    She could smell and hear the horse before she could see it.
    “Aishlinn,” Baltair whispered, “this will be a good mare for you. Stay upon this road until the sun breaks at your back.”
    Before she realized what was happening Baltair grabbed her about the waist and set her upon the saddle. An unbelievable amount of pain shot through her ribs and back when he lifted her. She nearly tumbled off the other side of the horse before taking a firm hold of the saddle.
    “When the sun breaks, leave the road and head north and west!” He tucked the reins into her hands.
    Aishlinn had planned to flee to London, which was to the south and east. “But London does not lie in that direction, Baltair!” she argued.
    “You’ll not want to go to London, Aishlinn,” he told