Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Preparing the Escape

Late that night, Talia returned with tools. She tied a rope around the chisel and a small hammer. Then she lowered them into the tower. She wrapped herself in a large black cloak and encased by the velvet curtain of the servant's waiting area, she talked and listened to him while he chiseled away at the old mortar.

At night, Roman and Talia found it easy to talk to one another as they developed trust.

"I want to be a lady, a lady with a last name, a family name, right and proper," said Talia.

"Ay, me lass, that is a noble wish of many a servant girl," said Roman.

"I am more than a servant girl, I do believe."

"Your kindness shows the making of a true lady."

"And as a gentleman, you made a promise."

"Ay, that I did, lass. When you travel to the Thanturnam Estate, give the directions to my brothers to find the door that leads to the tower. Heaven help ya lass, if ye be a redhead. My brothers are lecherous with women."

His comments made her blush. She rushed off to her bed, knowing any day could be her last at the castle.

Before sunrise the next morning, Talia did not waste time on her disguise. Instead, she pulled her long dark red hair back into a loose braid, threw on a brown servant dress, and grabbed a black woolen shawl.

When she reached the door of the tower, the door was locked and bolted. In the silence of the early morning hours, she realized that on the other side of the door was an ominous opening, and twelve feet down was the man she was to help escape.

Could it be possible? Would he take her with him? To do what? To be another servant? She pondered the consequences if they caught her, knowing the more the risk, the higher the price. Her mind raced with overwhelming questions.

She thought about leaving so many times, yet fear gripped at her heart whenever reality came too close. This time she was prepared to leave, to discover...

The sounds of heavy footsteps filled the corridor, and Talia swallowed her fear. The overseer of the house, Sire Brown, turned the corner and slowed his walk towards her.

"Say there, lass. Where're ya goin'?"

"Ah, good mornin' Sire. To work."

"Where have ya been?" questioned Sire, as he looked at the face of this maid he had overlooked.

"Sire, I am guilty of meeting another servant boy early this morning."

Talia chattered on in a silly, scullery-maid way.

"Now, if you will excuse me, sire, I must be off to work."

Talia slithered past him and finding the first door opened, she ran like the wind down the hill on the backside of the estate and headed for the horse barn.

Sire Brown tried to follow the young maid and turning the corner, realizing she was gone. Leaning against the open wooden door, he patted his round stomach and decided she would be his next dessert.

"I do have a desire for a tart for dessert tonight," laughed the stout overseer, as he headed to the west wing to start early with the chambermaids.

Mick Tunan was the soul mate of her childhood, and right now, Talia needed to convince him into being her secret morning rendezvous when the overseer asked questions amongst the help.