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she forced it down. She refused to turn coward. Even if the queen’s plan failed, Deirdre decided that she wanted to try, not lie in her bed fearing the unknown.
    “We shall have to leave now, else the sisters will stop me from going with ye.”
    The queen turned to look at her, lifting one hand to silence her ladies. Deirdre stepped forward and watched their eyes narrow slightly as she invaded their circle.
    Deirdre kept her chin level, returning all their stares with a steady confidence that earned her a grudging acceptance.
    “There is also the fact that ye do no’ want the sisters to know ye are here at all. I told ye that Laird Cameron was here looking for ye.”
    The queen hissed, “That one is the least of my worries, at least I do not think he wishes to imprison me.”
    “But ye are nae sure?” Deirdre asked, disliking the feeling that invaded her belly. Part of her didn’t care to think of Quinton as a man who would use a woman to gain the power he sought. She honestly shouldn’t have a care for the man one way or the other, but the feeling persisted.
    “I trust no laird in Scotland, and one who is a noble even less. Quinton Cameron is known to have different opinions than Archibald Douglas. They argue often, but men have a habit of sticking together when it benefits them.” Joan was speaking as she thought, not pausing to consider her words at all. “He is an earl, and that might make him stand beside Archibald in wanting to make sure I have no more children.”
    It was a possibility that could not be overlooked.
    “Well then, I suggest we leave now, before anyone awakens. Once ye are discovered here, anyone who comes searching for ye will know where ye were last,” Deirdre said. “Besides, it will be much simpler to leave this abbey under the cover of darkness than by first light.”
    Joan appeared unsure. She looked toward the doors and shivered. “I do not care for the night.”
    One of her ladies reached out to comfort her. Deirdre watched the way the attendants gently tried to soothe their lady. Attending the woman would take a measure of patience, for she had never been one to hold back her words, even when they were not what anyone wanted to hear. But the memory of Quinton Cameron ordering his men into the abbey against tradition and church policy stiffened her resolve.
    “If ye truly wish to wed again, ye’ll have to be more cunning than those who seek to capture ye,” Deirdre instructed her firmly. “Fortune will favor the bold.”
    The queen suddenly straightened her sagging back, lifting her chin high. “I believe I shall hope that you choose to serve me, Deirdre Chattan, for I sense you have the will to tell me the truth, even when you know I do not wish to hear it.” Her attendants looked hurt, and she sent them both smiles of reassurance before turning back toward Deirdre. “I believe you will complement my ladies by bringing something new. Sternness is needed in times such as this. We shall depart as you suggest.”
    Deirdre felt her throat tighten, but she refused to falter. She turned and walked toward the wall where several long cloaks hung from wooden pegs. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for one, and she wasn’t sure if the reason was fear or excitement. The fabric felt rough between her fingers, but she smiled as she considered the fact that she would not be sealed behind the closed doors and shutters of the abbey all night long.
    It seemed like each night had lasted twice as long, now that she was contemplating riding away into the darkness. Many would call her wicked, and maybe she was. The way her body had leaped to life beneath the touch of Quinton Cameron wasn’t pious. That was a solid truth.
    She swung the cloak about so the heavy garment would swirl up and around her body. A simple length of fabric crossed over from the right to the left side of it and was held there with a button made from a slice of antler horn. The wool was rough and worn, but sturdy