Page 56 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

‘I’m afraid I’m needed elsewhere in the fortress,’ said the woman softly.

‘Will Katherine be returning?’ Linota asked.

Mistress Sutton’s hesitation was brief, but it was enough.

‘What’s happened?’ she asked, raising herself on to her elbow.

‘Nothing for you to concern yourself with.’

Linota frowned. Why did everyone always say that? ‘It does concern me. Where is my sister?’

Mistress Sutton glanced towards the door.

Linota flung back her bed sheets and made as if to stand. She was so tired, but she was damned if she wasn’t going to find out what was going on.

‘You need to get back into bed,’ said Mistress Sutton, trying to bundle her back into the covers.

‘Not until I know what’s going on,’ said Linota, breaking free and getting to her feet.

Mistress Sutton sighed. ‘Very well. I will tell you, but you are under strict instructions not to leave the room. There are guards outside who will make sure that happens.’

Linota nodded and gratefully slipped back into the bed. She didn’t want to leave anyway. Being up and about was too exhausting.

‘Katherine has been knocked unconscious.’

‘What!’ Linota sat bold upright, her exhaustion briefly forgotten. There must be some mistake. ‘How did that happen?’

‘Erik Ward hit her.’

Linota’s world spun. ‘No...that’s...that’s not possible. He wouldn’t...he couldn’t...’

Mistress Sutton pursed her lips. ‘I don’t know the details. I’m only repeating what I have been told. The Earl has sent for me and I must go to him. Try to rest. As soon as I have more information I will return and inform you.’

Linota nodded numbly.

The older woman reached down and stroked Linota’s hair. The touch was so gentle that Linota closed her eyes.

She heard Mistress Sutton turn and make her way to the door. She opened her eyes as the lady reached out to open the door.

‘Mistress Sutton,’ she whispered.

‘Yes?’ said the lady, turning slightly to look at her.

‘Does Erik Ward have a sister?’

Mistress Sutton frowned and shook her head. ‘No. Erik Ward does not have a sister. Is that what he told you, child?’

Linota nodded slightly. Her words stuck in her throat.

‘Erik Ward is a rogue,’ said Mistress Sutton.

Linota waited for her to expand, but she said nothing more. A moment later she nodded at Linota and left the room.

Linota lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

She wanted to turn her mind off and sleep until the pain in her chest had subsided, but a voice kept pelting her with unpalatable facts.

Erik had abducted her and held her for ransom.

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