A Walk on the Water

"Yes, he has told me that he won't help you escape." Rosemary shook her head, her lips compressed into a thin line. "Señora Beringer told me that you showed her the marks on your back where your father whipped you. May I see?"

Alannah felt too leaden to respond, but didn't protest when Rosemary reached across and began unbuttoning the back of her dress. Rosemary was silent for a long time, and seemed to struggle momentarily with some decision or thought that was going through her mind.

"Why did your father do this?" Rosemary asked after a few minutes of silence, her voice barely above a whisper as she rebuttoned Alannah dress.

"For refusing to marry the Governor of the next village."

"This Governor, what was he like?"

Alannah told her in the most bluntest possible way. "He is the worst possible man you could imagine. He is old enough to be my Grandfather and I want nothing to do with him. Can you leave me in peace, I would rather be alone."

Rosemary sighed, and joined Alannah in sitting hugging her knees for warmth.

"I'm just here to offer help Alannah, I have the means to help you escape."

Alannah turned to her surprised that she would help.

Rosemary half turned to her as if to smile, that smile was cold and calous but she seemed unable to follow through with the gesture, and kept her gaze deliberately lowered so that her eyes were difficult to read.

"As you know, my family lives in Port Lira . When the time comes I will have some of my friends come and whisk you away to someplace safe and hidden until such time as your father and his men leave. Does that sound like a plan?'

Alannah nodded speechlessly. "What if the men don't leave? There have been times that father will leave men behind if he suspects that I am still around."

"We will figure that out when the time comes." Rosemary said, "there is, one thing that I want in return," Rosemary said, this time she was able to look Alannah directly in the eyes. Alannah found no comfort in what she saw there. "I know that you are infatuated with Dominic. Maybe you don't see it but everyone around you sees how you look at him. Now normally I wouldn't mind, except that Dominic has feelings for you, too. Well, I must tell you that I cannot, no I will not, stand by and watch as another woman comes between me and Dominic! You are more than a girl now and very beautiful. So, Alannah if I am to help you, you will need to abide by my request. I tuly could care less if you live out the rest of your life in Port Lira, but when the time comes you must leave the Chateau with my friends and never return."