Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 2)

“Your young years were not happy ones, Purity?” he asked.

“They were lonely and I’m grateful they’re behind me,” she admitted and it felt good to do so, which was why she continued, “I believe my father has always hated me. I don’t know why. I’ve tried to understand, make sense of it. I thought maybe it was because I was a daughter and he preferred another son. After some time, I began to realize that it was me. He simply hated me.”

“I’m sure that can’t be true,” Abbott Thomas said. “Daughters have as much value as sons.”

“Value? My value was little according to my father, though my burden was heavy. He reminded me of that often enough. He took no pride in me, spent little time with me, spoke rarely to me—I only existed to him when the prospect of marriage came up.”

Abbott Thomas rested his hand on hers. “Your father loves you and cares what happens to you, and one day you will come to know that.”

“If you say so, Abbott,” she said, having no wont to argue with him. He hadn’t heard what she’d been saying or he chose to ignore it. After all, her father paid a yearly stipend to the monastery and to talk against the man could cost the Abbott.

“You will come to know the truth of my words, my child.”

She didn’t believe the Abbott’s words held much truth but she had no desire to pursue the matter. Instead, she asked, “How is Brother Noble?”

“Brother Noble carries a heavy burden with strength and courage that, unfortunately, will only grow more burdensome. He can use all the prayers you can spare.”

It wasn’t long after that Abbott Thomas took his leave and she was glad for the quiet once again. Her thoughts drifted back to Orvin and her curiosity had her getting to her feet. “I’m going for a walk through the village.”

Her announcement wasn’t only for King and Princess, who sprang to life and quickly followed along with her, but for the servants as well. They would be sure to tell her husband when he asked.

She hugged her cloak around her against the considerable chill in the air once outside, though she had to admit it felt good. She missed being outdoors as much as she had once been and she was eager to return to walks in the woods once it was safe.

King went his way after a short time, but Princess stayed close. It seemed the way for the two of them, one always remaining nearby. She was glad not only for the company they afforded her but for the protection they offered as well.

Dusk was a couple of hours away but with the heavy clouds that had moved in it made dusk appear imminent. People were finishing up chores while others lingered in talk and children ran about in play before the night or impending rain sent them inside. She was met with smiles and greetings as she made her way through the village and she believed it was due to her husband making it clear he wouldn’t see her disrespected, along with her own efforts to become more a part of her own clan. She was different now, no longer shy or fearful to speak, and people saw that and treated her differently. For the very first time, she felt this place her home.

Purity stopped a short distance away from Orvin’s cottage. She didn’t know if it was the cloudy day or that the cottage sat off alone, not a soul near it, that had her hesitating to approach it. Or perhaps it was that death lingered around it that kept everyone at a distance.

Princess followed at her side as she walked slowly to the cottage. Orvin’s body had been removed and was being made ready for burial. She doubted anyone had yet to clean inside, remove any stains of what had happened there. But she wasn’t interested in the inside of the cottage. Her curiosity had her walking around the cottage to the back. What she found had her brow creasing in a troublesome thought. Or it was what she didn’t find.

“No sign that anyone came this way,” she said, looking to Princess who was busy sniffing the ground.

She widened her search, keeping her eyes focused on the ground, thinking someone may have tried to cover his tracks, but there was no indication that anyone had come this way. If that were true, it could mean only one thing.

Whoever killed Orvin came through the village and if that was so, he had to be known to everyone.

She was suddenly grabbed from behind, her feet lifted off the ground. Fear had her heart racing wildly and instinct had her letting loose with a scream. Unfortunately, a hand clamped over her mouth before her cry for help reached her lips.