Widow by Natasha Brown

Author:Natasha Brown [Brown, Natasha S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Natasha Brown

Chapter 4

The wagon bumped over the narrow path. There was barely enough room for its width down the lane. Hedges reached out to brush at the canopy, something Rayne tolerated with distaste. Willelm had insisted that the safest way to her destination was not by way of the well-traveled roads that robbers and thieves poached, but the country lanes where there was less hospitality to be found and a longer journey.

Rayne clutched her writing box, thinking of the parchment rolled inside. Her prose, which she couldn’t compare to the likes of Beowulf, was complete. Her maiden’s story, a tale of pure fantasy, was nearly fully illuminated along its edges with vines and a lady whose appearance closely resembled her own with a great black hound curled up at her feet. The parchment would have to be secured away from prying eyes, for little would be thought of time wasted on such a tale where a lady was saved by a hound. The tragedy lay in the soul of the beast, who was truly that of a man cursed to roam the countryside forever as an apparition. The prose would have to remain her secret.

Rayne stared at Willelm’s back. He sat on the wagon’s bench, clutching the horse’s reins silently, watching the scenery change. If one of his servants had come, she might have had company and conversation. On the other hand, she was admittedly feeling peevish, so it was best she was without company. She thought of the start of her journey and her excitement to see Norfolk as she toured the countryside. Now, her mood had soured upon being delivered to the abbey.

Their wagon jostled across the landscape until the sun drifted close to the horizon. Willelm guided the horses to a secluded spot surrounded by maple trees and shrubs. He climbed from his seat, and without a word unhitched the animals so they could graze.

From the bench of the wagon, Rayne watched him. She couldn’t understand why he’d insisted that no others attend or protect them on their travels, but she hadn’t wanted to speak against the man whose hospitality had saved her in her hour of need. Her eyes remained on him while he secured the horses to a tree.

When he approached the wagon, he uttered the most words he’d spoken all day. “We cannot be seen from the road, but I request you stay to the wagon. It will be dark soon. I will find a lookout nearby to get a better view. If you wake in the night, remain here until I come to you. On my honor, I will keep you safe.”

“I shall remain here as you say,” she answered him in earnest, not wanting a repeat of her last frightful wagon ride.

She returned to the back of the cart, pulling free a woolen blanket that had been packed along with the provisions. Rayne unwrapped the bread and cheese Maud had put in a bundle. It would not be like sitting in the hall eating a proper meal, but it would do.

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