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“I would like that,” Terese said and was grateful she had such good friends and would always have them. They would be there for her long after Lachlan was gone and that she must also remember.
Terese cupped the mug in her hands as she walked down the narrow hall to her room. She had instructed Rowena that if she didn’t wake for supper not to disturb her. She closed the door to her small quarters where a narrow bed and chest vied for room and sat on the bed.
She almost changed her mind. Her body, and damned if her heart hadn’t joined in, wanted to see Lachlan. But she had to stay in control. She couldn’t surrender completely to him. If she did, in the end she would be hurt.
Once she finished the brew, she laid on the bed to rest, but when she closed her eyes all that she saw was Lachlan, all that she felt was Lachlan’s touch, all that she breathed was the earthy scent of him and all she wanted was…
“Lachlan,” she whispered as she drifted to sleep.
Terese woke with a start from a dream well before sunrise. She threw off the wool blanket and swung her legs off the bed, shaking her head at the dream or to rid herself of it, which she wasn’t certain.
Her father’s hardy laugh continued to echo in her mind, so pleased was he that he had gotten his way. He had married her to a man of his choice and there she had stood in chains.
Terese shivered and hurried into her green wool skirt and yellow blouse, she tied her shawl around her waist wanting it on hand when she walked to the hill to watch the sunrise. She slipped sandals on, combed her hair, and just as she began to braid it she stopped and stared at her wrists. The idea of being chained to a stranger for the remainder of her life suddenly made her all the more determined to remain free of her family.
Alyce was dead and she would stay dead. She would get involved with no man, but she would enjoy Lachlan while he was here, then send him on his way and worry over it no more.
Her door creaked opened and Piper peeked her head in. “Good, I was afraid I’d have to wake you.”
“A problem?”
“Someone wants to see you,” Piper said. “Now.”
“Septimus?”
“How did you know?” Piper asked.
“Something he said to me when he and his men came to our assistance.”
“I’ll go change into my nun robes.”
Terese stood. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Why?”
“Septimus knows we are not nuns.”
Piper was full of questions, but Terese was eager to have done with this meeting and promised later she would tell all. They left without waking anyone and traveled a shorter distance into the woods than Terese had expected.
Septimus stepped out of the dark, the full moon spotlighting him. “You’ve had time to heal. Now I want answers.”
Terese nodded to Piper and she moved away, swallowed by the dark shadows to wait nearby.
“First I have something to say,” Terese said sharply and didn’t give him a chance to argue. “Your leader knew from the time I entered your camp that I was no nun. He knew Everagis was no true convent. He was also aware that the clans had sent scouts. What is going on?”
Septimus smiled. “And what makes you think this?”
“You said it yourself when you mentioned the game I played. Your leader has known all along. How long has he kept a watchful eye on Everagis?” She held her hand up when she saw that he was about to argue. “Don’t waste my time denying it, or I will take my leave and you will be left to explain to your leader why you returned with no answers.”
“He was right,” Septimus grinned. “He said you’d be either a formidable adversary or worthy friend.”
Terese nodded. “So, your leader wisely decided I would make a better friend.”
“He felt you would serve him better that way.”
Terese stepped forward and with nostrils flaring and her tone sharp as a sword she said, “I serve no one. You tell your leader that it will be a partnership we share or nothing.”
Septimus chortled. “I don’t think you’re in the position to bargain.”
“Oh, but I am,” Terese assured him with a chilling grin.
“And why is that?” he asked still amused.
Terese stepped closer, her whisper harsh. “I know your leader’s secret.”
Septimus startled, though quickly recovered. “That might prove a problem.”
“Not so,” she disagreed. “We both have much to gain by our silence.”
“That is true.”
Terese turned around slowly in a circle as she spoke. “I know you are there. I know you can hear me. We share a camaraderie few understand. Let our original agreement stand and our secrets will forever remain buried.”
“So be it,” said a deep voice from the darkness.
