The Vow by Jody Hedlund

Author:Jody Hedlund [Hedlund, Jody]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

6

The sweet waft of roses bathed me, but still couldn’t drown the stench of bloody flesh that had haunted me since I’d finally arrived in my chambers. My servants had strewn the freshly picked rose petals over the rushes on my floor. They’d even scattered the delicate petals over my dressing table. But it hadn’t done any good.

I sat listlessly on my bench, staring into the looking glass but only seeing rats no matter how many times I’d tried to focus on Trudy arranging my hair into two looped plaits.

A knock on the chamber door made me jump. Even though my limbs had ceased shaking, my insides still quaked at every noise and every slight movement.

Trudy bustled to the door and opened it, revealing Thomas. With a grave face, he stepped into the doorframe but came no farther.

I started to rise from my dressing table, but he motioned me to remain seated. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, my lady. But I couldn’t stay away. I’ve been worried about you.”

“Please, don’t worry —” I started.

“I cannot bear to see you in distress,” he said. His features softened as he studied my face, which was surely still lined with my horror.

“The scene took me by surprise.” I shuddered, hoping I didn’t appear too weak. I wanted him to think of me as a strong woman, not a simpering young girl who couldn’t handle problems in my realm.

“I had some of the soldiers investigate the matter,” Thomas said. “And they informed me that the sheriff tortured the two men because they’d defied his order by leaving the part of town still under quarantine.”

“Then they weren’t murderers or marauders or enemies bent on destruction?”

Thomas shook his head, his lips pressed together grimly.

“I don’t understand,” I said, my distress mounting. “Why would the sheriff resort to such horrible torture for a crime that is so minor?”

“Perhaps he only thought to prevent the spread of the Plague and deter anyone else from disobeying?”

“What if the men were only seeking food for their families?”

“I cannot say that I agree with his methods, my lady. And I also cannot tell you how to rule your lands . . .” His voice trailed as his gaze fell to my black gown. I had no doubt he was thinking about my parents’ deaths and how young I was to assuming such leadership. “But if I was in your position, I’d make a new law that prohibits such methods of torture. Then you can assure it won’t happen again.”

I nodded. “You’re wise, my lord.” Even though he hadn’t spoken his thoughts, he was right. I was young. The laws of the land stipulated that I would need the guidance of an adult to help me rule, at least until I turned eighteen. Perhaps Thomas would provide the counsel I required? Even if we hadn’t had time to get to know each other better, I trusted him. He was a good man. And I didn’t want him to leave Ashby.

I knew he

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