1
Lady Elizabeth stood at the window of the convent looking out over the beautiful gardens. It is so very peaceful here it would be wonderful just to bask in this peace for all times. But that was not what she could do. Praying that God would help her to keep her promise to her mother. It had taken her 3 days to get to the Sisters of Charity with her 3 younger sisters in tow. She new she had to wake her younger sisters up so they would be able to leave as soon as it got dark. God, give me the strength to make it out of England and to the Highlands. As she looked down at the ring she had on a chain around her neck the memory of her last talk with her mother came to her mind now.
"Take this ring to Laird McBane, he will keep you and your sisters safe".
"But mother I do not understand, why must we leave? You are in danger yourself here if you do not leave with us!"
"I cannot go with your Elizabeth, if your father finds out I have sent you girls away, it does not matter, I may be able to try to stop him from going after you, at least for awhile to give you time to escape him. Listen to me Elizabeth, we do not have much time, you must leave while it is dark and your father sleeps. Your sisters are now your responsibility, you must keep them safe. If your father catches up to you he will sell you girls to the highest bidder. I cannot let that happen. Please Elizabeth, you must leave everything is ready. I love all of my daughters and wish you to be all safe. Go now, and do not look back!"
Elizabeth took a steadying breath and turned to go and get her sisters. She walked into the bedchamber where the girls slept. They looked so peaceful she hated to wake them up.
"Come Sherrilynn, it is time for us to leave. You get Daniella ready and I will get Betty Jo."
Sherrilynn got up and immediately went to wash her face and have a minute of privacy before waking Daniella up. When she came back in the room Elizabeth was still standing there looking at the 2 youngest of the sisters.
"Elizabeth, we will make it! We are all strong and determined you must remember that, you are not alone in this".
"Yes, of course you are right Sherrilynn, there is the 4 of us and we have God on our side! He will see us safely to the Highlands. Come we must leave quickly."
Sherrilynn woke Daniella up and while she help to get all of there belongs together Elizabeth got Bettyjo up and dressed. Everyone was quite as they went about getting things together. They walked down the stairs with their heads held high and a look of determination on all of their faces. Mother Superior was waiting for them at the gate. She handed Elizabeth two large valises filled with food to help them on there way.
"If you eat this sparingly Elizabeth it should last you several days. You have a long way ahead of you and I am sorry that we can only spare one horse for the 4 of you."
Elizabeth smiled up at the Mother Superior, "It is alright Mother, we will make the food last and the horse will be a great help. Thank you so much for all of the help and the prayers as well"
"All of the sisters will continue praying for you and your sister's Elizabeth. And we will not forget your mother as well. Do not worry about her Elizabeth, God will look after her until you can get her out from under your fathers thumb. Go now Elizabeth, keep your head high and your prayers higher. God's speed my children"!
2
Daniella lifted Betty Jo onto the horse and then mounted the horse behind her. Daniella looked down at Betty Jo and covered her with one of the blankets her mother had made for her.
"It's alright BJ, (it was Daniella's nickname for her little sister) go back to sleep, I won't let you fall."
Betty Jo thanked Daniella and in no time at all she was fast asleep.
Daniella took the lead to scout out what was ahead of them as Elizabeth & Sherrilynn walked behind. There was not a horse that Daniella could not ride and they seemed to understand her as she talked to all the animals that she had ever befriended. It was Daniella's responsibility to keep her eyes open for danger because she was the best with a bow and arrow. And although she was so young she had the heart of a true warrior. She never seemed to be afraid of anything.
