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“Please?” she asked in the sweetest voice she could muster up.
Her father released an exasperated sigh and threw his hands in the air. “Fine, stay here, then.”
“Oh, thank you, Father.” Willow ran over and hugged her father, nearly dropping the blanket in the process.
“But,” he added, raising a finger in the air. Willow slowly released him.
“But?” she asked, looking up with wide eyes.
“I’m going to hire Sir Conrad to watch over you while I’m gone.”
Willow’s mouth dropped open. “Sir Conrad? Nay! I don’t want him anywhere near me.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m asking him and not one of the other nobles that will be attending the festival. If you are staying behind with all these men arriving, Sir Conrad will watch you like a hawk, young lady.”
“But Father –”
“Don’t give me the pout again, Willow because it won’t work. I know you too well, and you can’t fool me. You want to stay here because of the noblemen that are arriving. If I force you to come with us, you’ll only make our trip a living hell. So, stay here where you’ll be happy.”
“But I won’t be happy with Conrad looking over my shoulder and watching my every move.” A shudder ran through her body at the thought of it. She pictured his greasy, unkempt hair, his scrawny, lanky body, and the bumpy skin. From what she remembered, he was a homely boy.
“It’s either that or you get dressed and come with us. What’s your decision?” Rook crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her answer.
Willow felt doomed. This was going to ruin all her plans. But she had no choice other than to accept the offer. Perhaps, she could manage to lose Conrad who would be shadowing her during the festival. Then she would still be able to enjoy the festivities after all. “Fine. Conrad the Cur it is, then.”
“Willow,” he said in a warning voice. “Do not call him names. You will respect him and listen to every word he says. Do you understand?”
“What? Nay, Father.” She shook her head, trying to make the awful thought leave her mind.
“He’s a knight now, and any squabbles you’ve had in the past with him will be buried and left in the past.”
She didn’t answer but instead looked at the ground.
“Willow? Do you understand me?”
“I do, Father,” she finally said in defeat, knowing this is the only way she’d be able to stay and attend the festival.
“And I will make sure to tell Sir Conrad that if you behave improperly around the men, that he is to take you immediately to Whitby Abbey and leave you there until I return to collect you.”
“I told ye that ye’d end up in an abbey.” Morag had a smile on her face that only made Willow more irritated.
“Can we go now?” asked Maira impatiently, checking her weapons that she always wore.
“Aye,” said Rook with a nod of his head. “Now come here and give me a goodbye hug, Daughter.”
Willow’s eyes darted from one person to the other in the room. “Father, please stop. You are embarrassing me.”
“I don’t hug you around others . . . only around family,” said Rook with a smile that told her that two could play her game.
“Thank you for letting me stay,” said Willow, hugging her father, dreading the thought that for the next week she’d be followed around by Sir Conrad – a man she truly despised.
