Read Roanoke (The Keepers of the Ring) for Free Online Page B

in his loving eyes, she found it.
    “Yes, Papa,” she said, delighted in her discovery.
    His broad palm brushed her head. “Good, Jocelyn. That is the Latin fiducia , to hold in confidence and trust. And now I’ll tell you a secret—as you believe in me, my daughter, so you must believe in God. And though you can trust me with your life, little girl, God holds your life even more tenderly.”
    Jocelyn turned on her mattress and pounded her lumpy pillow with her fist. If God held her life so tenderly at age seven, where was he now that she was seventeen and in desperate need? Gazing toward the rough ceiling of her house, Jocelyn mouthed a silent prayer for help and strength as tears flowed from the corners of her eyes and mingled in her hair.
     
     
    The next morning, Robert White read a letter from his brother, then waited for Jocelyn to leave for the marketplace. When he was sure she had gone, he rang the bell by his bedside to summon Audrey. The girl had always been shy about coming into his sickroom, but with Jocelyn out of the house, she had no choice.
    “Yes, Master White?” Audrey asked, peering from behind her apron as if the thin fabric would shield her from his contagion.
    “You must do three things for me,” he said, struggling to strengthen his voice. He chose his words carefully so that he would not waste his precious breath with explanations. “Pack Jocelyn’s trunk with her clothing, and pack your things as well. Say nothing to her of this.”
    “Yes, Master White.” She turned as if to go, but Robert called upon inner reserves of strength and commanded her to stop. She halted in mid-stride and turned timorous eyes toward him.
    “An herbal remedy will arrive from the apothecary today. You are to take it and secretly mix it into your mistress’ breakfast drink on the morrow. The drink will make her sleep. A carriage from Portsmouth will arrive at mid-morning. You will have Jocelyn placed aboard, with her trunk, and you will board as well. If she wakes on the journey, you will give her more of the drink so that she sleeps again.”
    Audrey ’s blue eyes flew open at this unusual request, but Robert believed she intuitively knew the reason for this less-than-forthright means of transporting his daughter. “Will we be staying in Portsmouth for some time, Master Robert?” the maid finally asked, curiosity overcoming her fear.
    Too tired to speak, he nodded. She did not need an explanation. John would handle things once the girls had reached Portsmouth.
     
     
    That night he dreamed of his schoolroom, then awoke with a start in the gloom of dawn and waited impatiently for the sun to rise. He heard movement in the front chamber—Jocelyn and Audrey had risen, and soon Jocelyn would drink the apothecary’s potion. He had said his farewell to his daughter as he gave her the ring, but he worried that Audrey’s devotion to her mistress would undermine his plan.
    Within an hour after sunrise, Audrey rapped lightly on the door, then opened it and stood with her hands folded and her eyes downcast. “Jocelyn is sleeping, Master White. She is dressed and the trunks are by the door.”
    “Help me dress, then, Audrey,” Robert called, pulling himself out of bed. He swung his thin legs from the mattress to the floor and felt his courage leave him for a moment as he tried to stand. God, give me the strength to do what I must to aid my stubborn child. Audrey timidly held a loose robe open for him, and Robert fought his way to a standing position, then enfolded the robe around him.
    Audrey did not offer her arm, but scampered out of his way, and Robert clung to the walls as he made his way into the front room. Jocelyn lay on her mattress, her long hair askew, but she had dressed for the day and looked presentable enough to travel. “She will need shoes on her feet,” he pointed to Audrey, “and a veil for her head. If perchance someone sees you, it must appear that she is a lady asleep, not a captive