Eve helped the lady down.As she did, her gaze settled on the satchel hanging from Feiyan’s saddle.Settled on it and recognized it.
It was hers.
Her heart began to pound.Chaos stirred her thoughts as she tried not to stare at it.
Why did Lady Feiyan have Eve’s satchel?
Had Adam given it to her?
How had their paths crossed?
Was Feiyan the one from whom Adam had stolen that Rivenloch medallion?
Had Feiyan stolen Eve’s satchel in retribution?
“After all, I can’t afford to lose my skills,” Feiyan confided, “if I’m to participate in the summer tournament.”
Eve summoned up a shaky smile, trying to betray none of her panic.Only half listening, she mindlessly echoed, “Summer tournament?”
“Aye, at Darragh, after the bairn is delivered.”
When Feiyan’s words finally registered, Eve’s eyes lit up.Her worry vanished.A tournament.“At Darragh, ye say?”
“Aye.”
“Will your whole clan be there?”
“They had better.’Twill be in celebration of the laird’s new grandchild.”
Irresistible visions of waving pennants and flashing swords, sparkling armor and clashing blades danced through Eve’s mind.What a spectacle it would be.A tournament to rival the king’s at Perth.
Eve had to find a way to compete against Jenefer of Rivenloch again.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the abbess, who waddled forward with breathless haste.“May we be of assistance, m’lady?”she sang out.
“Perhaps,” Feiyan replied.“You see, I have this satchel of clothing and other items.I thought you might be able to distribute them to those in need.”
Outrage sizzled up Eve’s spine.Charity?She was giving Eve’s goods to charity?And what about the silver?There had been a decent amount of silver in that satchel.
Unless Adam had pocketed it for himself.
Of course he had.He might have no use for Eve’s clothing and herbs.But everyone had use for silver.
“We’d be happy to, m’lady,” the abbess said, “but next time, prithee send a servant.”She clucked her tongue and added, “Ye shouldn’t be ridin’ about in your condition.”
Eve could see by the vexed ticking in Feiyan’s eye that she’d grown weary of such helpful warnings.
The abbess continued.“Give the satchel to me, m’lady, and I’ll—”
“I’ll take it,” Eve interjected.“I’ll get it into the right hands, m’lady.The abbess shouldn’t be travelin’ about.Not in her condition.”She gave Feiyan a clandestine wink.
Then, while the abbess was sputtering, she unhooked the satchel from the saddle and slung it over her shoulder.
It felt lighter.Of course it felt lighter.The knave had naturally taken all her coin and who knew what else.She only hoped he’d left her something of value.
“I’ll leave within the fortnight, m’lady,” Eve announced, glad of the excuse to quit the nunnery for a while.“I know a woman not far from here who’s in need.She’ll be so grateful for your gift.”
Indeed, Evewasgrateful.With any luck, the satchel would contain a fitting disguise.One she could use for the mission she’d put off for too long now.Letting Hew and Carenza of Rivenloch know they were out of danger.
