Intimate Betrayal (35 page)

Authors: Adrienne Basso

BOOK: Intimate Betrayal

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Harold sniffed and Fiona could see the resistance in his eyes. And while she certainly appreciated Sir George’s support, she feared the knight’s agreement with her had further angered her brother.

“Sir George informed me earlier this year he intended to make this pilgrimage when the weather turned warmer. It made sense that Spence and I join his party,” Fiona said, trying to shift the focus of the conversation. “You and your knights have far more important matters to occupy your time or else I would have asked for your assistance.”

Harold’s mouth twitched at the blatant, and clearly false, flattery. They both knew her brother would never have granted her request nor spared any of his men to protect her on the journey.

“Since you have found the means, ’tis clear you will do as you wish, no matter what I say.” Harold’s words were tight and controlled, but his disapproval was obvious. “I find such independence a very unattractive quality in a female.”

Fiona closed her eyes, feeling her stomach chum. As bad as things were, she knew they could get much worse. If she were wrong, if her plan failed, she would be forced to grovel, to beg for her brother’s forgiveness, leaving herself, and Spencer, totally at his mercy. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, brother. But I must follow my conscience, and my faith.”

“So be it.” Harold relented, his manner deliberately ungracious. “Let it not be said that I didn’t warn you of the folly of your actions.”

Fiona refused to reply, instead lowering her eyes and bending her knee in a graceful curtsy. Clearly unimpressed, her brother snorted and turned away.

Fiona sighed, feeling the tension ease out of her shoulders with each step Harold took. Her brother believed she was going to the Abbey of St. Gifford, but that was a ruse. Oh, they would indeed stop at that holy place. Very briefly.

After respects had been paid to the brothers and prayers offered for Henry’s soul, Fiona was going to continue moving north, to their true destination. Once there, she would appeal to the one man she believed could grant her the justice she so desperately sought, could help her secure the future that Spencer deserved.

She was going to cross the border into Scotland and plead her case to the enemy—Henry’s secret ally, the Earl of Kirkland.

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ISBN: 978-1-6018-3040-1

First eKensington Books Electronic Edition: January 2013 First Leisure Books Mass-Market Paperback Edition: December 1995

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