Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me Read Online Free Page B

forgotten your name,” Cristiana told the man beside her.
    “William de Bremont. William, if you please.”
    “Well, William, are you certain I can’t convince you to return without me? My previous offer of doubling your pay is still open.” She held little hope he’d accept her offer but she had to ask. If he agreed to it, her plan would be much simpler. Not that she actually had much money to pay him, but she would worry about that if he accepted.
    “I gave my word to Bishop Duval that I would bring you safely to Longsbury.”
    “Regardless of what I want?” Cristiana saw his frustration mount at her words, yet she had to argue. How could it not matter what she wanted? What she thought best?
    “ ’Tis my understanding that you recently lost your mother. You are unmarried with no father or brother to protect you. The bishop has generously offered to serve as your guardian. This is an honor he bestows on you.”
    “ An honor I did not ask for, nor do I want.”
    The knight shook his head but said nothing more. He clearly didn’t understand her feelings on the matter. Somehow, she was certain that explaining the reasons for those feelings would not gain her any ground with this man.
    William didn’t leave her side as preparations were made for their journey. Did he guess she’d try to escape again? Frustrated, Cristiana could only watch as he saw that the horses and his two men-at-arms were ready.
    T he other knight, who William introduced as Sir Henry Postel, managed to coax Sister Mawde out of the convent with only a small bag in hand more quickly than Cristiana had anticipated.
    She couldn’t help but smile at the odd picture they made—the large, bald man beside the small, stout woman. As with many of the nuns, it was difficult to guess Sister Mawde’s age. She seemed to have been born old.
    Had Henry pried the switch from Sister Mawde’s fingers? The birch rod, normally ever present, was nowhere to be seen. That had to be a good omen for the journey.
    Even while William bid Abbess Catherine goodbye, he seemed to watch Cristiana. She wasn’t worried. His vigilance couldn’t continue all day.
    Could it?
    Their party consisted of the two men-at-arms who worked for the bishop along with the two knights, herself and Sister Mawde. Cristiana hoped bread and cheese had been included in the cloth-wrapped bundles the sisters had provided. Anything would be better than the steady diet of pottage of which she’d grown so tired.
    Abbess Catherine approached Cristiana and grasped her hands. “I wanted a few moments with you before you depart.”
    Cristiana’s throat closed as unexpected sadness flowed through her. The woman had become a temporary replacement for Cristiana’s mother in some ways, and she was going to miss her. “I...”
    “What is it, my dear?” The abbess’s wise blue gaze searched hers.
    “I truly appreciate your kindness these past two months. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” The older woman’s serene expression blurred as tears filled Cristiana’s eyes.
    The abbess released her hands to hug her. “My child, you are welcome. You shouldn’t have had to experience this loss, but we are not privy to God’s plans.”
    Cristiana bit her tongue. She and the abbess had explored that very subject during their lengthy conversations since her arrival at the convent. While Abbess Catherine wanted her to believe her mother’s death served a greater purpose, Cristiana wanted only to make the murderer pay.
    “I wish you’d let me stay, ” Cristiana whispered.
    The abbess chuckled. “I don’t believe it was your intent to remain with us, regardless of the arrival of the bishop’s men.” She pulled back to look at Cristiana.
    Cristiana couldn’t hold her gaze. Lying to the abbess would take a stronger person than she. “I don’t think it wise that I become a ward of Bishop Duval’s.”
    “ ’Tis a great honor. I informed him of your gift. He seems quite excited at