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CHAPTER THIRTY TWO:

Muirwood Abbey

Before ht, two days later, they arrived at Muirwood on horseback Lia had fallen asleep in the saddle again, her face pressed against Colvin’s back, while the village around Muirwood showed no signs of life The gates of the abbey were closed A few lamps flickered beyond soot-stained s in the sh Street The leaves frohed with the breezes

Colvin approached the gate on horseback, and a porter aiting there with a lantern "The gates do not open until , my lord," he said blearily

"Tell the Alder, Lord Price I was to wait up for you The Alderri, to present yourselves You will be suates open"

"Thank you," Colvin replied and tugged the reins to turn the stallion about Edmon and several other horse to reach here," Ed to hold a vigil for her?"

He stared at the inn, re vividly the last time he had come and who had rescued him For a moment, he was prisoner to those memories Wordlessly, he nodded

"I will join you then For her sake She deserves the best room" Edmon dismounted and helped steady her as Colvin slid off the stallion He carried her up the stairs himself

Lia awoke on the softest stuffedae War her head, she looked around and slowly recognized the room There was the table where days before, the sheriff’s men had eaten the feast and fallen asleep while she rescued Colvin The noise that had awakened her was the door as it butted open and in ca a long brown dress and fresh girdle In the other hand, she carried a tray of bread and some white cheese

"I am sent to help you," Bryn said cheerily "The Aldermaston’s steward just arrived from the tunnels He is to take you back now, but we s over the side of the bed, squeezing the sheets andtheir softness "Aht"

"Were you expecting mastons to sleep here with you all alone?" She set the tray on the table and crossed to theand opened the shutters to peek outside "Most slept in roouard your door even now The earl of Forshee, he stayed awake all night in the common room So did the earl of Norris-York We asked them if they eary, and they said they were not They are waiting in the kitchen for you noith Prestwich Do you remember me? Can you not tell me your naotten you, Bryn Or what your family did for ly "He rewarded us as I can help you wash"

Lia stopped by theand looked out Dawn touched the sky with pink and she could barely see the outline of the abbey against a sea of purple sky Her heart thrilled Bryn dragged a stool by the brazier, and Lia went to enjoy the warmth There was aaway, she ate the warles out of her hair, then gathered the orously Lia’s garrateful that Bryn had brought one of her own dresses to wear It was a little short and snug, but it fit her She tied the pouch with the Cruciger orb to the girdle Bryn lifted the hair and scrubbed her neck and ears with a towel and water from the basin near the brazier Lia washed her face and hands The water ar stone in the Bearden Muir, when Colvin had helped her bathe She paused at theShe was anxious to see him And nervous He had let her have the soft bed and had forsaken sleep The thought h, Lia returned to the mirror She looked at herself closely Her skin was darker than she thought it would be from her days in the sun There were little cuts and scrapes all over her face and arms, especially a dark scab on the end of her chin from her fall on the hillside at Winterrowd In the reflection, she saw the twine string around her neck and delicately withdrew the wedding band she had worn so long She tucked it back in quickly when Bryn approached