The Wretched of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #1)

He looked at them both pointedly, his jowls stern. “The Aldermaston will give you more instructions later. Again, you are his welcome guests today only. You must make your way to your next destination before sunset. Lia, you will come with me through the tunnel so as not to be seen entering with them.”


For a moment, she hesitated. Colvin stared at her, and she could not understand the look in his eyes. His jaw was clenched, but not as if he were mastering his temper. The mud was wiped clean, his face shaved and smooth, but the scars of the last few days were still evident. He looked as if he wanted to speak with her alone, but dared not demand it in front of everyone, least of all the Aldermaston’s steward.

“Come,” Prestwich said, waving her to him.

She started after Prestwich, approaching the ladder that led into the cellar with the gear in her arms.

“Lia.”

It was Colvin’s voice. She turned back and looked at him wonderingly as he drew near. His eyes were deep and penetrating. “I will not forget what you did for me, sister. Nor my promise to you.” He leaned closer and kissed her cheek lightly, just a quick brush of his lips, but it sent a tingle down to her toes. But before he withdrew, he whispered in her ear, “Whitsunday.”

At the implied request, she smiled at him, a smile that said many words she would not say in front of so many people. The Whitsunday festival was coming. Her first year to dance around the maypole. She nodded once, then followed Prestwich down the ladder, her heart afire with emotions. The thrill of being back home. The lingering warmth of his kiss on her cheek. What would Reome think – and all the other lavenders for that matter – on the day when a wretched danced with an earl? The thought of it was sweeter than treacle. She smiled at Colvin again before descending the ladder. He smiled back, pleased, and watched her disappear into the tunnels beneath the abbey grounds.



Prestwich ambled in silence during their journey through the secret tunnels. They did not enter through the abbey itself, but took a separate passageway that led into the manor. A Leering blocked the way, and Prestwich mumbled a word to it, which she could not hear. He turned back and looked at her. His voice was low and serious.

“The Aldermaston will never ask you to lie,” he said. “For your own good, however, he desires that others in the abbey believe that you never went to Winterrowd. Your companion, Sowe, has been in hiding since you left. Neither she nor you have been seen since the day you ran away. Whatever you speak of together, for I know you share certain secrets, we cannot prevent. But you must be guarded in whom you trust with that knowledge. Is that clear, child? The less others know, the better.”

“I will obey the Aldermaston’s wishes,” Lia said.

“I hope so,” he answered. “That has not always been easy for you.” Prestwich turned to the open Leering. Beyond was another cellar and a circle of light shone coming from the chamber above. Even from the distance to the ladder, Lia could hear Pasqua muttering under her breath.

“Fits and stones, she should be here by now! Where is that nasty Prestwich? He is taking his own sweet time. By the idle, I ought to…is that you? Prestwich, do you have her?”

“She is with me even now,” he replied and motioned for Lia to take the ladder first.

Lia’s heart was nearly bursting. She climbed up the ladder, setting down her burdens as she cleared the top, and Pasqua met her with a ferocious hug that crushed her breath away. Sowe was there also, tears gleaming in her eyes.

“Child, child, child, you are home again! Oh Lia – oh my dear Lia!” The hug was strong enough to squeeze tears from her eyes. “Oh Lia – thank Idumea. Thank Idumea you are safe!” She sobbed against Lia’s shoulder, squeezing her harder and harder. Lia was surprised by her reaction, at the violence of her feelings. Pasqua hugged her tightly, swaying back and forth. “Never leave us like that again, child. Please…you do not know my poor heart. How I have suffered for you. How I have worried about you.” She pressed Lia’s cheeks with her hands and kissed her head. “I nearly broke my leg trying to hunt after you!”

“She did,” Sowe said, tears spilling down her lashes. “And I had to nurse her.”

“Pasqua,” Lia said, then stopped, choking on the words. “Sowe.”