The Demons We See by Krista D. Ball

Author:Krista D. Ball [Ball, Krista D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Toshiba
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Borro Abbey

The remainder of the journey was uneventful, except for the knotted anxiety in the pit of Allegra’s guts every time they stopped at a waystation inn. At times, she couldn’t muster the courage to go inside, so Serafina or Martin would fetch her a plate of food and Stanton would remain by her side. She refused to use the outhouses without someone standing just beyond the doors, in case of trouble.

It took an entire day before she could even step inside an inn’s front door. They’d planned to sleep the night there, but after two hours of gripping the edge of her bed, she woke Nadira and both women slept in the carriage. After that, they didn’t stop at any inns to sleep, and merely slept on the road.

When they arrived at Borro, relief spread through Allegra. She was home. She was safe. Whatever she’d endured on the way here, she could recover from. The bruises were healing, the scrapes scabbing over, and, soon, her spirits would recover.

Servants hurried out into the main courtyard of the abbey. Father Michael came a short time later, arms extended in greeting. “My dear Contessa! I am so pleased to see you.” He bowed hastily and then kissed her on both cheeks. He gripped her arms and said, “I have been praying for your safe arrival. We received your runner’s letter yesterday. Oh, my dear child. I have not slept a wink since. How are you doing? Shall I call for the apothecary? Do you require a healing stone? I’ll get you a hot restorative. Gertie! Gertie! Oh, where is that girl gone? There you are. The Contessa is in need of…” He motioned at her to order from the young maid.

“Welcome back, Your Ladyship,” Gertie said with a curtsy.

“I believe some hot food and a soft bed will do nicely,” Allegra said.

“At once, Your Ladyship,” Gertie said. She curtsied again and rushed off in the direction of the lower kitchens.

Allegra smiled back at Father Michael and said, “Thank you for the prayers.”

Father Michael beamed at her. “You are always in my prayers, my child.”

“I’m glad,” Allegra said. She meant it. Though she did not believe, there was comfort in knowing Father Michael did believe and he used his private time with the Lord Almighty to think of her.

“Captain Rainier! Hello, Captain! Nice to see you again.” Father Michael gave Rainier’s hand a firm, enthusiastic shake. “We have the entire east wing set aside for your soldiers tonight. We shall organize the details better once you’ve all had the benefit of a good meal and some sleep.”

“Thank you, Father,” Stanton said gravely. He was standing next to her, a protective presence through her ordeal.

“I thought we were going to be put into the cottages?” Allegra asked through a yawn.

“I feared the cottages were too unsecure, especially now with threats upon your person. Plus, I don’t believe you should be hiding in some rundown cottage in the corner of the estate. No, no, no! I will not stand for it.

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