Beloved Imposter Read Online Free PDF

father.
    In the back of her mind were many questions and fears she would not admit to Janet. Could she ask Jamie to risk his future, even his life to help her? The only possible way she could ask for his assistance was if she could do it in a way that no one would ever know his connection with her disappearance.
    Janet helped her pull her long red hair into a cap so that not a single tendril escaped. Then she assisted her with the cloak and plaid that wrapped around most of her face.
    Felicia went to the window. “They are mounted and waiting.” She went over to Janet and put her arms around her in a hug. “I will never forget you for this. Thank you.”
    “Just be safe. Find a way to let me know you are.”
    “I will. God keep you.”
    “And you.”
    Felicia tried to still the trembling in her hands. She was leaving everything she knew for an uncertain future. If she were discovered, her uncle would keep her captive until the wedding. He most probably would do more.
    She swallowed the bile in her throat.
    She was alone. So very alone.
    She hurried down the stone steps to the great hall, then out the door. Ten mounted men waited for her.
    The rain had slowed to a fine drizzle, but a light fog enveloped the distant hills. The cold temperatures would make the day miserable for all of them. The men were obviously anxious to get under way.
    One soldier, obviously the leader, gave his reins to a mounted man and helped her mount. She nodded her thanks as she swung up on the saddle. Thank God both she and Janet were good riders. And she knew Janet’s white mare. Somehow, she vowed silently, she would get the well-mannered horse back to her friend.
    “My lady,” the soldier said. “We will make the journey as comfortable as possible.”
    She nodded again.
    The first deception had succeeded. Perhaps the mist and fog would assist her escape. She prayed that both held.
    She held her breath as they departed through the gates. Another small success.
    As if in answer to her prayer, the fog deepened, obscuring everything but the rider directly ahead and directly behind. If it would last only a few more hours.
    She prayed harder.
    Janet’s maid rode just behind her, bouncing up and down like a sack of potatoes, and close behind her rode two men. The others rode in front, the leader often looking back to see whether she was still with them.
    Despite the slice in the girths, she knew they would not part without strain. She needed to increase the pace and the pressure on the girths. She looked around. No one was looking at her.
    The trail widened. The fog was still thick. This was her chance!
    She dug her heels into the sides of the mare. The mare bolted, running past the forward member of the guard. She screamed for help, then held on for dear life. She heard the shouts of her escort, the pound of hooves behind her. The mare was frantic now, and Felicia did nothing to curb her. A horseman approached close to her side, reaching for her reins when he cried out and she saw him tumble from the saddle.
    Another horseman drew close. She glanced back, screamed as if in terror, then he, too, fell. Shouts and curses followed her as her mare ran into another thick patch of fog.
    She worked the reins, managed to regain control but slowed the pace only slightly. The shouts continued behind her. She noticed an opening to the left and abruptly guided the mare into it and dismounted. The mare shuddered, and she ran her hand down her neck to calm her.
    The human noises faded as she walked swiftly. She was not sure where she was. She would worry about that later. She wanted to put distance between the escort and herself. But first she had to calm the horse and make sure the mare did not stumble into some hole.
    She left the faint trail and moved into the forest. The going was much slower now. The fog confused her sense of direction. She stopped frequently to listen for voices or the sound of horses.
    Minutes passed. She hurried her steps, praying she