Color drained from Lady Ann’s face and her shoulders slumped. “If only I had arrived at the stables a bit sooner. I may have been able to prevent the fatal incident from taking place.”
“You cannot blame yourself and at least the culprit has been caught,” Torr said.
“Nothing makes sense,” Lucerne said. “Father is dead and why? What made him and Kirk McClusky fight? And a cleric who is no cleric? And why were there attempts on Dawn’s life?” She shook her head. “It is all madness.” She rubbed at her temples. “I must excuse myself, my head aches unbearably.”
Lucerne stood, not waiting for Cree’s permission, though she swayed a moment, as if she was about to faint and her hand reached out to the table near Cree to steady herself. Cree grabbed hold of her and signaled with a nod to Sloan. He reached her side and with a gentle arm around her waist helped her from the room.
“It is good that this nasty ordeal is finally at an end. Now Kirk’s daughter will get what is rightly due her.”
“Yes, Dawn will finally get what she so richly deserves… a titled husband. She and I will wed as soon as I contact the King and settle the details.”
“And Lucerne?”
“I’m sure some kind of arrangement can be made for her, and then you and Kirk can finally be together.”
Lady Ann lowered her head. “After an appropriate time of mourning, I cannot sully Roland’s good name, though the wait will be difficult. I had thought I had successfully put Kirk from my mind, but when I saw him again after all this time, I knew my love for him had never died.”
“Of course, when the time is right,” Cree agreed.
Lady Ann dabbed at her tear-filled eyes. “This day has been too much for me. I beg that you excuse me.”
“By all means, Lady Ann,” Cree said, “you truly have yet to grieve.”
She stood and stopped beside Cree. “Thank you, my lord, you have been most gracious.”
Cree watched her slowly leave the room and when he glanced back at the table he saw that the vial was gone. “Damn.” He turned to Torr. “Did you see which one took the vial?”
Torr shook his head.
“Well it shouldn’t be long before we find out which one is behind it all.”
~~~
Dawn was safely tucked in Cree’s solar without a guard outside the door. Cree hadn’t wanted anyone to know where she was and a guard outside the door would certainly give her presence away. She couldn’t wait in his chambers since men were busy repairing the secret passageway, boarding it up until a more permanent fix could be made.
She wondered who the culprit would be, Lady Ann, her true mother, or Lucerne or perhaps the two women had worked together and partnered with Lucerne’s father to see Dawn dead. She could not wait to learn the truth and for all of it to be over.
With a silent sigh she took a seat in front of the hearth to wait. The day had been long and filled with so much pain and sorrow for so many. She had made certain that word had been sent to Lila to let her know that she was all right or else as soon as Lila had heard of her abduction she would have been pounding at the keep doors.
It was so very nice to have such a good friend and to have added friends along the way. Even though it had been an ordeal since meeting Cree, she was blessed and grateful that he had entered her life, and she was ever so grateful that love had brought them together.
Her eyes drifted closed and her head lolled to the side. The fire’s warmth, a soothing brew, her knee tended to and the troubled day behind her all served to relax her enough for sleep to claim her.
The rap at the door startled her awake and she hadn’t been sure how long she had slept. She hurried out of the chair with a stretch of her sore neck, which lead her to believe she had slept for a while in the uncomfortable position. The culprit had surely shown herself by now. She hurried to the door eager to find out and lifted the latch. She was more than surprised to see Lady Ann standing there.
“I am so sorry for everything,” she said and rushed into the room shutting the door behind her.
Dawn shook her head, shaking away the last of the sleep that muddled her mind.
She reached out to take Dawn’s arm but instinct had Dawn backing away from her.
“Good lord, it’s been a dreadful day, but it’s over and done now.” Lady Ann smiled. “And life can finally go on as it should… after you’re dead.” She raised her hand that had been hidden in the folds of her gown and grasped tightly in it was a dagger.