The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline by Jan Davis Warren

Author:Jan Davis Warren [Warren, Jan Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Heart Books

Evangeline helped Helen through the forest, their progress too slow to suit her impatience. She feared for the safety of her daughter, but she wouldn’t leave her injured friend behind.

They were almost at the meeting place when she heard a commotion. Women’s voices were raised in anger.

“I’m fine. Let’s hurry.” Helen’s expression of weariness and pain did not match her words of assurance, but Evangeline nodded and they jogged the remaining distance.

“Thank the Lord you’re here.” The young mother they called Sparrow waved the torch she held and beckoned Evangeline toward a body on the ground. “Wren’s been stabbed.”

The injured woman was on the ground positioned on a stretcher made of two saplings connected by a large cape.

“Where’s the child?” Panic edged Evangeline’s gravelly voice to a familiar growl as she scanned each face.

The women stared at Evangeline with wide-eyed surprise.

“Yes, she is also the Fox.” Helen settled down on the nearest stump, weariness filled her voice. “She gave Wren a toddler to bring here for safety. Has anyone seen the little girl?”

“No. We found Wren alone and bleeding when we arrived.” Murmurs of agreement passed between Sparrow, Robin and Owl.

Evangeline knelt down to examine Wren and motioned to Sparrow to bring the torch closer. Wren had a serious shoulder wound by the amount of blood soaked through the linen covering it. “Bring me some moss. Quickly! There’s plenty near the stream.”

Owl rushed away to gather what was needed and returned within minutes. Evangeline packed the wound with the moss securing it with a strip of cloth she tore from the hem of her shift.

The bleeding had stopped but Wren’s eyes were closed, her face pale as death.

“Wren, who did this to you?” Evangeline took a deep breath to gain control of her emotions and fought the urge to shake the unconscious woman for answers. Instead, she gently brushed dirt from the young woman’s face. “Where’s Sarah?”

“When we arrived, Wren kept mumbling something about a mouse. Do you think she meant Mouse did this?” Robin wrung her hands in despair. “She’s the only one missing.”

“I fear she is our traitor.” Helen stood. Pain etched her brow. “I think I know where she’s gone.”

“Can you get Wren to the castle?” Evangeline glanced at the women and saw the nods. “Good. There is someone there who can help her. I’ll come as soon as I can. If the wound should begin bleeding again, apply pressure until it stops.” She put a hand on Sparrow’s shoulder. “Please, Lord, give them strength, speed and safety for their task. And please save Wren’s life. Amen.” The women mumbled amen and crossed themselves. A solemn reverence filled the clearing, melting away fear and giving place to faith-filled determination.

Sparrow handed Evangeline the torch, then stooped to pick up one end of the stretcher, and the other two young women picked up the other end. Without further discussion they headed toward the road that led to the castle.

Evangeline turned toward Helen.

“Where do you think Mouse has gone?”

“I believe she’s made a bargain with the devil.

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