Ruth returned with a basin of water and a sack hanging from her arm. She stood tall and faced Peter. “You must leave now.”
Peter stood.
“I’m not leaving her.” He crossed his arms about his chest. If he’d followed his own inclinations earlier and not left here, Brighit would not have been subjected to this.
A slight smile softened her face. “Just stand outside so that I can assist her with changing and properly washing her.”
Brighit’s color was beginning to return but her eyes were still wide with fear. Peter was not convinced he should obey this woman. “Do you want me to leave?”
“It’s just for a moment,” Ruth said.
Brighit looked from one then the other. “Yes.”
Ruth smiled as if she had won the keys to the King’s store rooms. Peter returned to Brighit’s room to drag the body out and away from the chapel. He would need to bury the man but there was no reason any type of inquest needed to be done. Ruth said the man used the girls. Good riddance. He would be respectful but not overly so.
“I have something wonderful for you to wear.”
Ruth chattered on as she worked but Brighit paid her little attention, removing herself from the ministrations. She needed a chance to settle herself. Inside. She’d never come so close to being violated. Not even with Ivan and his men. They talked of things—inappropriate things—but no one ever touched her. Ivan slapping her bottom at the inn was the only time he’d actually laid hands on her. That priest had been a vile man.
The gown dropping over her head brought Brighit back to reality. Ruth bent to urge it over her legs and shook it out around her.
“What? No. I can’t wear this.” It was the beautiful dress from the market. “I’m to be a nun.”
Ruth stood before her, a smile so big she had a dimple on each cheek. “I think you were not meant to be a nun.”
“You are wrong.”
“Martha and I discussed it. We believe you were intended for marriage and children and love.”
Brighit nibbled at her finger then removed it. “How do you know that?”
The other woman looked at her as if she could see right into her heart. “A woman knows these things.”
Brighit was afraid to ask. Then she couldn’t stop herself. “What things?”
“You are a woman in love.”
Her gasp couldn’t be contained.
“Is there aught amiss, ladies?” Peter’s muffled voice came to them from the hall.
Brighit covered her mouth.
“No. We’re fine,” Ruth said.
“How can you know such a thing?” Brighit lowered her voice this time.
“The way your face lights up every time he looks at you.”
Peter’s smile did make her feel warm inside.
“And your wistful expression whenever he’s near you.”
She clasped her hands together. It was true that his touch gave flight to the butterflies in her stomach. And in his arms, she’d felt... alive.
“See! I can tell you’re thinking of him. Also,” Ruth’s voice dropped, “you became so sad after he left.”
It had felt as if her heart had been ripped right out through her throat when he was gone. She kept wanting to tell him things but he wasn’t there.
