Chapter One
“Here he comes,” she whispered to herself.
She winced as she touched the fresh bruise that was beginning to take shape on her right cheek. She heard the door to her room opening and instinctively let her hair fall down over her face.
“Mi’lady,” her handmaiden curtsied and then promptly looked down at her feet when she met Isobel’s eyes.
Isobel let out a sign of relief. “Yes?” she sighed. “Tia, what is it?”
“It’s the master,” she said timidly. “The men are returning from their campaign, and he says it will be…good manners for you to stand on the ramparts with him and watch as they return.”
Isobel looked down at her feet, willing herself not to cry and biting her lip. Then she hardened her face, looked up, and gave a curt nod.
“Yes, it would be good for them to see their Lady after such a long campaign. Good for morale. Help me with my hair, please.” And she gestured at the tangled mess that was her long auburn locks.
“Of course, mi’lady.”
Tia walked over and grabbed the brush from the armoire and began to work through the tangled knots as Isobel sat staring out across the courtyard, wondering if she’d be the first to catch a glimpse of the men on their horses. A knot was forming in her stomach. Was it hope? Fear? She wasn’t sure.
“Mi’lady, if I may…I could ask the healers for some of that tea that seemed to help last time…” Tia offered, glancing at Isobel’s discolored cheek bone.
“No.” Isobel cut her off. “I’m fine.”
