Escape the Woods by Gabriella Catherine

Author:Gabriella Catherine [Catherine, Gabriella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fearless Publishing House
Published: 2019-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Lady Elsa, Lady Sabine, Merida, and I stood behind Merida’s house, helping her hang wet clothing on a piece of string that was hung up, one end tied to a tree, the other tied to the wooden handle of a large fork that was stuck into the ground. We laughed and talked as we worked, and I was grateful Malachi went inside to converse with Jonas and Bezilo Pierce while we worked.

“Chores are so much fun.” Elsa tossed a pair of men’s breeches over the line.

Merida laughed. “Well, you are welcome to do mine anytime you wish.”

I placed a wet apron on the line and asked Merida about Barrett.

“I saw him yesterday. He comes by my house and we take walks through the village and sometimes through the meadow.”

“Do your parents approve of him?” I asked.

“Well …,” She hesitated. “They think he is a kind and respectful man, but they are concerned about his financial situation. My brother Jonas is very concerned. He says I deserve to marry a man who is able to provide for me. He has always been protective of me, and he says I may want to consider another man, one who is better suited to care for a family. But all the men he suggests are much too old for my taste, and most have already been married and are now widowed. And … I don’t want that.”

“You don’t think your brother would try to force you to marry one of those men, do you?” The thought was frightening.

“Oh, I don’t think he would try and force me into doing anything,” she said. “I assume he is only looking out for me. But to speak the truth, old men scare me.” She laughed a fake laugh. “Sometimes I wonder if he is right. Barrett’s family is not wealthy in the least. Believe me, I do not dare to wish to marry a very wealthy man. My dowry is only so large. But I do want to be assured I will be taken care of, and that is what Jonas wants as well.” She looked sad, and although I couldn’t possibly understand her pain, I felt sympathy for her.

Malachi emerged from the house then. “Are you prepared to return to the castle, my ladies?”

Elsa, Sabine, and I said goodbye to Merida, then walked back to the courtyard with Malachi.

When we arrived, Father stood waiting for us. “Lady Elsa, Lady Sabine,” he said, “I received word from your father this morning.” The two girls exchanged hopeful glances, and then looked up at Father with expectant eyes. “Duke Aaron has notified me that the region of Dovehoven is no longer under attack. You are able to return home.”

They broke into joyful smiles. Elsa hugged her sister, lifting Sabine up off the ground. “We can see our mother and father!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” I told them, hugging them both at the same time.

“I cannot wait to see them again!” Sabine cried.

Then Elsa pulled away from me quickly. “Oh,” she said, “I will dread leaving you, Scarlett.

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