Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“You did well,” Tavia praised as Hertha lifted her tankard to drink after wiping a tear from her eye. “I am curious as to why Bronwyn joined them.”
“Bronwyn has not been treated well since the accident that scarred her face. The men have been cruel to her and the women feel she deserved the scar because they believed she had flaunted her beauty. Though, that was far from the truth. Leaving was a way for her to escape the heartache she suffered here.”
Dawn saw how upset Tavia was over learning that. While it was a difficult lesson to learn that she had not paid enough attention to what went on in her clan, she was now armed with that knowledge, never to see it happen again.
“I am sorry to hear that,” Tavia said. “I had not known, or I would have done something about it.”
“And I would like to believe you could have,” Hertha said with a sad smile.
Tavia knew Hertha meant no disrespect, but her words had stung. They reminded of what little importance her word meant here, and she worried if her word would mean even less married to Lord Bhric. She thought to mention that the people who helped the children would be sent away as well, but Hertha had been through enough for now. She did not need to learn that she would probably lose the only home she had known.
“If I may, my lady?” Hertha said with a nod to Tavia.
“Say what you will, Hertha,” Tavia encouraged.
“We heard that the woman, Fia, has been imprisoned in your dungeon, thinking her a demon. She is no demon, my lady. She saved little Hana’s life and helped the children all she could. She is a good and wise woman. She should not be harmed.”
“You are a brave one, Hertha,” Flora said, impressed with the courage it took for Hertha to speak up for the imprisoned woman.
“I have learned to be brave,” Hertha said proudly. “Now, may I take my leave, my lady? The children need me.”
“Of course, Hertha,” Tavia said. “Do you have all you need for the children?”
“Everyone is helping, though more food and warm garments and blankets would help.”
Flora hurried off the bench as did Tavia, both ready to help. Then they stopped and looked to Dawn as if just remembering she was there.
Dawn waved them off with a smile.
“Are you sure, my lady?” Tavia asked as Flora didn’t hesitate to follow Hertha.
Dawn pointed to the food and rested her hands to her face and closed her eyes briefly.
“You will eat, then rest?”
Dawn nodded and waved her off again.
“But it is not right I leave you alone,” Tavia said.
Dawn pointed to Beast and shooed her away for the third time.
“Have a good rest,” Tavia said still feeling guilty about leaving Dawn alone and yet eager to help the children and people in need.
Dawn would have helped but her body warned otherwise. She did need to rest and as soon as she ate she planned to retire to the bedchamber and do just that. For now, she welcomed the quiet, the day having been far too chaotic. She was relieved the mystery that had plagued the Clan Strathearn had been resolved and that everyone had returned home safely and unharmed. She was sure that her husband would see that all was settled by tomorrow and they would be on their way home the next day. She was also glad he had realized that she wished to give Trent and Hana a home with their clan, but then he knew her well.
She ate, enjoying the silence, turning to stretch her legs out to the hearth once done and relaxing there with the last of the brew in her tankard. She closed her eyes, relishing the warmth that trickled up and over her.
“My lady.”
The soft whisper startled Dawn, her eyes popping open, not having heard anyone approach and she saw that Beast had not moved from where he slept, though he was alert looking at her and Hana.
“Please, my lady, may I see Fia,” Hana asked, continuing to whisper as if sharing a secret.
Dawn did not know if it would be good for the lass to see the woman locked away in the cell. It might upset her, though she already appeared upset, clinging to the cloth doll, made from remnants of old garments, she called Evie. She had told Dawn that her mum had made it for her, and she loved it with all her heart.
With all the lass had been through, Dawn did not want to deny her the chance to see, one last time, the woman who had saved her life to no doubt thank her.
Dawn handed a piece of honey bread to Hana, and while she ate it with haste, Dawn gathered more of the bread in a cloth napkin to take to Fia. She stood and waved for Beast to follow, not that she needed to, he was already on his feet ready to go.