The Secret by Garwood Julie

Author:Garwood, Julie [Garwood, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Romance
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2011-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

It took Judith a long while to give Frances Catherine all the details of the inquisition. The retelling was made more difficult because her friend kept interrupting her with questions.

“I think you should go with me to see Isabelle and the baby,” Judith told her.

“I would like to help her,” Frances Catherine replied.

“And I would like for you to become Isabelle’s friend. You have to learn to open your heart to these people. Some of them are certainly as sweet as Isabelle is. I know you’ll like her. She’s very kind. She reminds me of you, Frances Catherine.”

“I’ll try to open my heart to her,” Frances Catherine promised. “Oh God, I’m going to be so lonely after you leave. I only see Patrick during the evenings, and I’m so sleepy by then I can barely concentrate on what he’s saying to me.”

“I’ll miss you, too,” Judith replied. “I wish you lived closer to me. Perhaps then you could come to see me every now and then. Aunt Millicent and Uncle Herbert would love to see you again.”

“Patrick would never let me go into England,” she said. “He’d think it was too dangerous. Will you braid my hair for me while we wait?”

“Certainly,” Judith replied. “What are we waiting for?”

“Patrick made me promise to stay home until he finished an important duty. He’ll be happy to walk with us over to Isabelle’s.”

She handed Judith her brush, sat down on the stool, and asked about Isabelle’s laboring again.

The time got away from them, and a good hour passed before they realized Patrick still hadn’t returned. Since it was almost the supper hour, they decided to put off the visit until the following morning.

They were in the midst of preparing the dinner when Iain knocked on the door. Frances Catherine had just made an amusing remark, and Judith was still laughing when she opened the door.

“Oh heavens, Iain, you aren’t going to tell me Father Laggan has thought of another question to put to me, are you?”

She was jesting with him, and fully expected a smile at the very least. She got a curt answer instead. “No.”

He walked inside, gave Frances Catherine a quick nod, then clasped his hands behind his back and turned to Judith.

She couldn’t believe this was the same man who had been so sweet and kind to her not two hours ago. He was as cold and distant as a stranger.

“There won’t be any other questions from the priest,” he announced.

“I knew that,” she replied. “I was only jesting with you.”

He shook his head at her. “Now isn’t the time for jests. I’ve more important matters on my mind.”

“What pressing matters?”

He didn’t answer her. He turned to Frances Catherine. “Where is my brother?”

His abruptness worried Frances Catherine. She sat down at the table, folded her hands together in her lap and tried to look calm. “I’m not certain. He should be back any time now.”

“Why do you want Patrick?” Judith asked the question she knew her friend wanted to ask but didn’t dare.

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