Page 93 of Laird of Smoke
Eve had to find a way to compete against Jenefer of Rivenloch again.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the abbess, who waddled forward with breathless haste.“May we be of assistance, m’lady?”she sang out.
“Perhaps,” Feiyan replied.“You see, I have this satchel of clothing and other items.I thought you might be able to distribute them to those in need.”
Outrage sizzled up Eve’s spine.Charity?She was giving Eve’s goods to charity?And what about the silver?There had been a decent amount of silver in that satchel.
Unless Adam had pocketed it for himself.
Of course he had.He might have no use for Eve’s clothing and herbs.But everyone had use for silver.
“We’d be happy to, m’lady,” the abbess said, “but next time, prithee send a servant.”She clucked her tongue and added, “Ye shouldn’t be ridin’ about in your condition.”
Eve could see by the vexed ticking in Feiyan’s eye that she’d grown weary of such helpful warnings.
The abbess continued.“Give the satchel to me, m’lady, and I’ll—”
“I’ll take it,” Eve interjected.“I’ll get it into the right hands, m’lady.The abbess shouldn’t be travelin’ about.Not in her condition.”She gave Feiyan a clandestine wink.
Then, while the abbess was sputtering, she unhooked the satchel from the saddle and slung it over her shoulder.
It felt lighter.Of course it felt lighter.The knave had naturally taken all her coin and who knew what else.She only hoped he’d left her something of value.
“I’ll leave within the fortnight, m’lady,” Eve announced, glad of the excuse to quit the nunnery for a while.“I know a woman not far from here who’s in need.She’ll be so grateful for your gift.”
Indeed, Evewasgrateful.With any luck, the satchel would contain a fitting disguise.One she could use for the mission she’d put off for too long now.Letting Hew and Carenza of Rivenloch know they were out of danger.
Chapter 15
The abbess found excuses to keep Eve at the convent for a full month more.Probably to punish Eve for her impertinence.Or perhaps in the hopes that Eve’s impulsive spirit might be tamed with several more weeks of thoughtful reflection.
Of course, Eve could have escaped at any time.She’d done it before.But if she was doomed to live a loveless life as a nun, she supposed she should accustom herself to the discipline and self-restraint the profession required.A few weeks wouldn’t make that much difference.
On the last day of her captivity, however, Eve was itching to leave.She bid the abbess a quick farewell and started out on foot just after Prime.She changed into her red gown in the woods and left her satchel with her habit behind a tree.
It was satisfying to have a Greater Purpose again.To be doing something more significant than laundering habits and polishing crucifixes.What she did today would change the course of history.She was helping mend a rift in the powerful Rivenloch clan.
Surely that was God’s plan.
And He’d chosen Eve to be a part of that plan.
At the moment, all the Rivenloch clan knew was that one of their own, Sir Hew du Lac, had stolen his cousin Gellir’s bride, Lady Carenza of Dunlop, intending to reunite her with her true love.What theydidn’tknow—what only Eve knew—was that Carenza’s rescuerwasher true love.
Naturally, they also didn’t know what had become of Hew after his mission.But Eve knew.She occasionally used the secluded byre herself as a safe haven.From the outside, it appeared to be a rotting shed tucked into the deepest part of the forest and covered with vines.But inside it was quite hospitable, clean and dry.It was possible to live comfortably there for months.
Of course, they didn’t want to be there for months.But since the abduction had arguably been a crime, they dreaded the shame it would bring upon their clans.And since the marriage had been accomplished without the king’s approval, they feared Malcolm’s wrath.Worse, they worried the king might dissolve their union.
Eve couldn’t help but smile as she sauntered through the woods, imagining their delight when she told them all was repaired and forgiven.
Now she could reveal to the couple what had happened in Perth.She could tell them Gellir had marriedhistrue love, Merraid.Merraid had been knighted by the king for her bravery, and she’d secured the king’s forgiveness of Hew and Carenza for their disobedience.
All would be set aright.
Eve took a deep breath.It was good to be out in the world again, smelling the summer flowers, feeling the warm breeze on her face and the spongy path beneath her feet, hearing the birdsong and…
She stopped.
She’d heard something behind her.The loud snap of a twig.
