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“That’s not true. I don’t have that problem.”
Adeline studied her face as if she didn’t agree. “Don’t you?”
Suddenly, Willow realized that Adeline had nothing but the clothes on her back and the brooch. She wondered about the woman. How could she be happy living this way? “What is your skill, Adeline? How are you important? Is there something you’ve accomplished that helped a nation or a titled noble?”
“I think everyone is just as important as another. Don’t you?”
“Well, I don’t know. I would think nobles are more important than servants.”
“Mayhap, we are all the same in the inside.”
Willow thought of Conrad’s words challenging her to go without her things that made her feel beautiful. Hadn’t he said he wanted her to show him she could be beautiful inside as well as out?
“My looks and my words are all I have. I am afraid because someday I know they will be gone,” she admitted. “I don’t feel nearly as qualified to be a follower as my cousins. Don’t you see? I have very little to offer. That is why I cling to what I do have.”
“Mayhap, that is what is holding you back. Perhaps it’s time to change, Willow.”
“Nay,” she said stubbornly. “There is no reason to change now. Conrad already decided he doesn’t want me.”
“If you won’t do it for yourself, then perhaps it’s time to do it for someone else.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know that girl who is kneeling on the ground?” Adeline nodded to the door.
Willow turned around and looked out the open door, surprised to see Hazel down on her knees at Imanie’s gravesite. “What is she doing here? That is Sir Conrad’s sister, Hazel.”
“Is Sir Conrad the man you want to marry?”
“Aye,” she admitted.
“I see.” Adeline got up and walked out the door with Willow following. She went over to Hazel and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. Hazel jumped up and backed away with fear in her eyes.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Adeline told her.
“She’s afraid her brother is going to send her to an abbey,” said Willow. “I am sure your presence is making her feel unsettled.”
“There’s nothing wrong with living in an abbey,” said Adeline. “I live there, and I love it. My name is Sister Adeline.”
“I – I’m Hazel,” said the girl, looking once again like she was going to swoon.
“Hazel, if you are afraid of something, you can talk to me.” Adeline was genuine and sincere, but Hazel was leery.
“Nay. I talk only to Willow,” the girl spat and ran into the house.
“Now I see clearly what your mission is, Willow.” Adeline smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to pray at Imanie’s grave.”
“Of course.” Willow didn’t know what the nun meant. Wasn’t her mission something of much more importance than just helping an addled girl? Surely, she was supposed to stop a war like her cousin Fia did or, mayhap, change a nobleman’s decision that would help many others of her country. If only she had been able to find the earl’s ruby, then she would have accomplished something worthwhile. With the competitions being over, the earl and all the noblemen would be leaving soon.
“Willow? Hazel? Are you here?”
Willow groaned when she saw Conrad entering the secret garden atop his horse. Adeline was at her side immediately. “Is that the man you love?”
“I – I – yes. I suppose I do love Conrad.”
“I will go into the house and talk to Hazel so you two can be alone.”
“Nay! Don’t leave me,” she begged the woman. “I don’t want to be alone with him. Not when I know he doesn’t want me.”
