Sorrell joined her husband in his solar to talk with Miriam the next morning. The woman’s eyes were red and puffy from copious tears, though Sorrell wondered how she could weep over a man who had treated her so badly. She still carried the bruises he had last inflicted on her and here she sat mourning his death.
“What took Coyle away from the clan recently?” Ruddock asked.
Miriam sniffled and shook her head. “I don’t know, my lord, he didn’t tell me, though before he left he did mention something about extra coin for market day.” A tear slipped down her flushed cheek. “I am a bad wife. I hoped he wouldn’t get the coin since I knew he’d spend it on drink and he’d raise his hand to me.”
“You are not a bad wife,” Sorrell said.
Another tear rolled down Miriam’s cheek. “I am no more.”
“Did he say where this coin came from?” Ruddock asked.
She shook her head. “Not once in the four times he went away for the sake of the coins did he make mention of it. And after asking him once about it and getting a beating, I never asked him again.”
A rap on the door had Hugh entering with a smile. “Our troop approaches.”
Sorrell held her excitement, not wanting to show her joy in front of the heart-broken woman.
“Have Miriam escorted to her cottage,” Ruddock ordered.
The woman stood and followed Hugh.
Sorrell shook her head. “How can she mourn a man who treated her so badly?” A crazy thought hit her. “Do you think she shows us what we expect to see? Do you think she could have gotten tired of the beatings and killed her husband? And this has nothing to do with Lander?”
“I suppose anything is possible, but logically I think it more likely Coyle is somehow connected with Lander.” Ruddock grinned, his hand going to rest at his wife’s slim waist. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned that your sister is about to arrive?”
Sorrell let out a squeal of delight and grabbed her husband’s hand. “Hurry we must be there to welcome her.”
Sorrell bounced up and down on the soles of her feet while stretching her neck to catch sight of her sister as the troop approached the keep. She broke out in a smile when she caught sight of her riding between two burly warriors. She didn’t see any sign of Snow and wasn’t surprised. Snow felt safe with the familiarity of the Macardle keep and village. Leaving that familiarity would leave her vulnerable and she was vulnerable enough.
Sorrell ran down the steps as soon as the horses drew near and as soon as the horses came to a stop, Willow didn’t wait for anyone to help her off the animal. She dismounted and ran to her sister.
They hugged each other, tears fell, and laughter rang.
“I am so glad you’re here,” Sorrell said, curling her arm around Willow’s. “How is Snow?”
“She thought of making the journey, but I think she was just too fearful and I can’t say I blame her. Though, I also think she believed she’d be a burden on me. Home she can maneuver around on her own, not so in unfamiliar surroundings.”
“In time, when her sight improves more,” Sorrell said, praying it would be so.
“Lord Ruddock,” Willow said with a bob of her head as Ruddock stepped beside his wife.
“It is good to see you again, Willow.”
“I am surprised, though grateful, to see that you have survived my sister,” Willow said with a grin.
Ruddock chuckled. “It’s a chore, but I manage.”
Sorrell jabbed her husband in the side, which had him laughing harder.
Willow waited until his laughter calmed, then asked, “I hope I can help you with your problem. You made mention of needing my healing skills and while I have some, I don’t consider myself a healer.”
“Nonsense, our mum taught you the most about healing and you have helped many with your skills,” Sorrell said. “We need you to see if you can identify what’s in a brew that’s being given to Ruddock’s father.”
“I will do my best and I would love to meet your father,” Willow said.
Sorrell shook her head. “No you don’t. Lord Finn is a cranky old man.”
“He is a dying old man and you should have more respect for him,” Erland said as he approached them.
Ruddock went to defend his wife, ready to throw Erland out of the keep for good this time.
“You must forgive my sister her rude behavior. She often speaks before thinking,” Willow said and turned a glare at Sorrell.
Sorrell felt the familiar sting of her mum’s reprimand in Willow and did what she would have expected. “My tongue can get away from me. I meant no disrespect to Lord Finn. I actually like the cranky, old man.”
Willow shook her head along with Erland.
Ruddock smiled.