Sharon Lanergan Read Online Free PDF Page A

thought we were rescuing you, but we didn’t. You’re not here now anymore than these last thirteen years.”
    Brian waited until the door closed behind his brother and Stephen’s footsteps receded down the hall. He picked up his brother’s largely untouched cup of wine and downed the contents of it as well as his own.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Constance looked up hopefully from her embroidery when Stephen approached her. She sat by the hearth, as close as she could. She was always cold these days. Ever since being held by Loutrant. She pushed aside the thought.
    Stephen shook his head, his gaze defeated.
    Constance stabbed her finger but barely noticed the sting. She set the tapestry aside.
    “He will not come down?”
    Stephen straddled the bench she sat upon. “Nay. I did not ask. He is as stubborn as before.”
    “You must keep trying. All of you.”
    Stephen snorted. “Telford has tried many times. Everyone has. He barely tolerates me.”
    She knew they had all tried, but she would not despair. Brian was worth the effort. Even if he was not for her.
    “What of Trevor? Can you not convince him to go to his father?”
    Stephen sighed and rested his head in his hands. “He is his father’s son, Constance. He refuses to have anything to do with Brian since they have returned. Trevor is as stubborn as his father.”
    “‘Tis so unfair,” she lamented. “Once I had not seen a family so close as the Fitzroys and now, I have not seen a family so far apart.”
    “That is what Loutrant does. He destroys.” Stephen winced and took her hands in his. “I am sorry. I did not intend to mention that vile name. Pray forgive me.”
    Constance squeezed his hands. “No one knows what he is capable of more than I, except mayhap my dear Brian. You do not need to watch your words around me. In fact, please do not.”
    “Very well,” Stephen agreed. “I wish Nick were here. He would know what to do with Brian and Trevor.”
    Constance smiled. “Aye, he would. But you know he and Marion are trying to make Loutrant’s former castle into their home.”
    “And they have the babe on the way.”
    “Exactly so. I am afraid this time we must try to help ourselves, Stephen, without Nick.”
    Stephen’s warm cinnamon colored eyes narrowed suddenly, as though something had just occurred. “Con, why don’t you speak to him?”
    “M-Me?” Constance backed away from him on the bench. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
    “Why not? No one else has been able to get through. And you were in the prison with him.”
    Constance stared at her pricked finger. “But he ran from me this very morning.”
    “If you go to his room he can’t very well run,” Stephen pointed out.
    “Are you suggesting I go to a man’s chamber alone?”
    “Not a man…Brian’s.” Stephen shook his head and touched her raven hair. “Brian isn’t going to do anything. And we’re your family. We’re not likely to think ill of you for it.”
    Constance bit her lip. “I don’t want to upset him or make him angry.”
    “I’m not saying it will be easy to reach him. I don’t know if you will get through any better than the rest of us, but don’t you think it is worth a try? You reached him in the dungeon, didn’t you?”
    “That was different, Stephen. Surely you must realize.”
    Stephen studied her silently for a few moments. Constance bravely held his gaze.
    “You aren’t afraid of Brian, are you?”
    Constance denied it. “Not the way you think.”
    “Please?”
    Constance knew she could refuse the Fitzroys nothing. Especially Brian.
    “I will go,” she agreed at last. She stood and placed a chaste kiss on Stephen’s forehead. Ignoring the fluttering of her stomach, she quit the Great Hall and went up the stairs to Brian’s room.
    Not a sound came from within and no light either. For a moment, she decided not to knock. He probably slept, Constance convinced herself. She did not want to disturb him.
    “Is someone