“You love the Lord of Ravenshire, then?” Britta asked, laying a hand compassionately over Eadyth’s.
Eadyth nodded, unable to speak.
“It would break the master’s heart to learn of your death. He loves you so.”
“Do you think so?” Eadyth asked hopefully.
“Anyone with eyes can see that he cares. How can you hurt him so, if you love him?”
“How can I not do this, if I love him? ‘Tis best for everyone. ‘Tis the only way.” She swallowed the bitter taste of despair in her throat and took both of Britta’s hands in hers. “I know that you love Wilfrid and that he wants to wed with you. Nay, do not protest. I know your concerns about your differing backgrounds… we will discuss that later. But consider if it were you in this position and you feared for Wilfrid’s life, what would you do?”
“Oh, mistress!” she said softly, understanding completely that Eadyth had no choice. “How long would you have to stay in hiding?”
Eadyth shrugged. ” ‘Til Steven is finally dead.”
“But that could be years and years.”
She nodded dismally.
“And what if Eirik should decide to remarry?”
Eadyth gasped. She had not thought of that possibility. She pictured the years ahead… alone, bereft and desolate. She girded herself to be strong. “Then I would have to stay ‘dead’ forever, although John could return when he reaches his majority to take over Hawks’ Lair.”
“And how would he explain away his ‘death,’ and yours, then, when he returns from the dead?”
“Oh, I do not know. All these questions! I will worry about that when the time comes. Will you help me, Britta? You are my only hope.”
Britta agreed reluctantly.
“It must be done soon. Mayhap on the morrow. The next day, at the latest. Steven only gave me three days.”
“And what about Godric?”
“I think Steven will release him when he learns that John and I have died. Something he said makes me think he will not torture the boy needlessly. I believe Steven was abused badly as a child.”
Britta eyed her skeptically. “And how will you ‘die’? With the poison he gave you.”
“Nay, there can be no ‘dead’ bodies for Eirik to examine. I had thought of fire, but that would be too devastating for Emma to go through again. Losing me and John will be hard enough on her and Larise.”
“Drowning?”
“I had considered that, but there are no large bodies of water nearby, ones with currents strong enough to carry away evidence. And Eirik would search for our bodies.”
“Then what?” Britta gaped at her in horror.
“I have heard there have been problems with marauding wolf packs in the hills. Do you think we could pretend to have been the victims of the wild beasts?”
“There would have to be evidence, would there not?”
“Yea, but if there were pieces of our bloody garments, and some bones—”
“Bones! What kind of bones?” Britta was backing away from Eadyth as if she feared she had lost her sanity. Mayhap she had.
“Well, I was thinking that perchance you could—”
“Me? What? What are you planning? Oh, Lord,” she said as realization seemed to hit her like a lightning bolt, “you want me to rob some graves, do you not?”
Eadyth smiled mirthlessly. “Nay, even I would not go that far. I think if we used some animal bones from the kitchen butcherings, and mangled them a bit, Eirik might not question too closely.” She looked hopefully to Britta. “What do you think?”
“I think you are daft.”
They had no more time to discuss the plan then because Girta knocked on the chamber door, announcing happily, “Riders approach carrying the Ravenshire colors. It’must be Eirik and young John returning from Glastonbury. Hurry.”
Eadyth pulled Britta into a hug, thanking her in a heartfelt whisper. “I will never forget what you are doing for me.”
“Methinks I will ne’er forget it, either,” Britta grumbled as she went off to gather bones.
Eadyth had just got to the bailey when Eirik and his retainers rode in. John jumped from his horse and rushed into her arms, talking excitedly.
While she hugged and kissed him over and over, he exclaimed, “You should have seen the funeral, Mother. There were ever so many people, and all of ’em cryin’ for the king. And there were two hundred white horses with gold bridles. And Prince Edwy and Prince Edgar had their own ponies. And I learned to play dice…”