Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

know
what? Never once has she told my secrets.” The little girl giggled a delightful
sound that made Kate smile. She continued to pet Trixie, sensing the girl’s
ease. “I need a favor, because the lady here doesn’t want Trixie in her hall.
Could I leave her here with you? You could keep her company when I’m not able
to be with her. She likes people.” Kate fibbed, because Trixie didn’t like
anyone, save her, but she hoped the cat would make the girl smile.
    The
child nodded again, it was a start.
    “All
right, I’ll leave her here. She likes to be petted like this.” Kate stroked
Trixie’s back to the tip of her tail, showing her how to pet her. She left the
room again, hoping the cat would pull the girl out of her glumness. The poor
thing looked pale and thin. Kate was determined to find out about her, how she
came to be with the de Morris’, and why she’d been kept in that room. Questions
racked her mind. She would search out Lady de Morris later and get those
answers.
    A
child, here at the de Morris’ keep. Who would have thought such a thing was
possible? Kate considered what Madam had said, she’d meet the warrior when she
met the child. Having dismissed the comments that Madam made, what with the news
of her father’s death, the betrothal announcement, and then her sudden
departure from home, she hadn’t given it much thought. What were the chances
that she would meet a child and a warrior? Yet she had met a child. Would she
meet the warrior?
     

Chapter
Two
     
     
    The
warrior haunted her visions.
    Kate
returned to her chamber, cleaned up a bit, unpacked her candles and rope, and
sat in her circle. Once again, the vision of the warrior came. He never moved,
only appeared to be looking sternly at her with his arms crossed. She shook the
vision from her mind, not wanting to venture there. Instead, she prayed for the
child, asking the Goddess for guidance on how to aid her. It was a futile
effort, because the dark-haired warrior kept intruding. His rigid stance and
gray eyes troubled Kate. She wouldn’t get answers this morning, not with the
warrior haunting her. After she’d completed her morning ritual, she returned to
the hall.
    Lady
de Morris called to her when she entered. Kate approached and looked to make sure
the bench was clean before she sat on it.
    “What
have you been doing this morning, Lady Kaitlin?”
    “I’ve
been unpacking and getting settled, my lady.”
    “How
do you find the keep? It’s quite magnificent, is it not?” Lady de Morris
sounded proud of the ramshackled residence.
    Kate
almost choked on the piece of cheese she’d just stuck in her mouth. She picked
up a goblet and drank, swallowing the cheese caught in her throat. “’Tis uh …
lovely. I would be glad to assist in the keeping of it. I took care of my—”
    Lady
de Morris interrupted, “Nay, my girl that is the servants’ task. I won’t have ye
lifting a finger. Now, tell me, how old are you?”
    Kate
wasn’t at all impressed with her manners. “I just turned nine and ten, my
lady.”
    “How
is it ye are not married?” Lady de Morris poured more ale in her cup.
    “My
father was called to Damietta five years ago, and he didn’t have time to make
arrangements before he left. I was only four and ten then and we felt there was
time to see to it.”
    “My
husband has influential contacts in Londontown. In fact, he just returned from
a tourney at his majesty’s summer palace.” She boasted her husband’s position
as if it would impress Kate.
    Kate
wasn’t affected in the least. “Will we be going to such events?”
    “Perhaps,
ye shall. You’ll attend with Richard, I fear I don’t have the stamina for such
a journey, nor do I wish to go to court. Richard won’t be going back to court
for a while, but he will help you find a worthy husband.”
    “Thank
you, Lady de Morris, but I am betrothed. King Henry has betrothed me, and when
Lord Aldwyn returns, I shall be taken to him.” Why did it