Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

the idea of it.”
    Alarm filled Cristiana. Her mother would’ve been most displeased at this news. “I’ve found the less people who know of my...skill, the better.”
    “That is wise of you, for many would not understand your gift, but I don’t think that holds true for the bishop.”
    The thought of discussing her healing abilities with the bishop left her nauseous. “If you’d allow me to spend some time discovering who killed my mother, then perhaps at a later date I could pay him a visit.”
    Cristiana knew her request was useless, but she couldn’t help herself. Frustration speared through her. No one seemed to understand her desire to find the murderer and make him pay, yet she could think of nothing else.
    “My dear, I wish you’d find peace about your mother’s death. The only way you will is to forgive. With forgiveness comes—”
    “Forgetfulness. Aye, so you’ve told me.”
    “God is the One who measures out justice.”
    “The verse from Romans . I know. But the Bible also says an eye for an eye.” Cristiana couldn’t keep the bitterness from her tone. She’d given up trying to explain that she couldn’t forgive the murderer. He’d stolen the life she’d shared with her mother. As far as she was concerned, vengeance was her only option.
    She could only hope her search did not lead her to the bishop. He was a powerful man. Besides, what possible reason would he have to take her mother’s life?
    With a deep breath, she pasted a smile on her face. “Again, I can’t thank you enough for everything.” That much, she could say with sincerity.
    “Go with God, my child.” The abbess hugged her again then stepped back. “Please consider what we’ve discussed.”
    Cristiana turned away, prepared to put this place behind her, ready to move forward. Nothing could be resolved if she stayed here. She swung onto her horse with the help of a wooden mounting block and smoothed out the folds of her cloak as she waited for the others.
    Her stomach was in knots at the thought of meeting the bishop. If he ’d had anything to do with her mother’s death, what was to stop him from taking hers? At the very least, she could not do what she needed to if she was his ward. Living with the scrutiny of the sisters these past two months had taught her that.
    As she patted her horse’s neck, she watched Henry settle Sister Mawde on her horse and tie her bag to the back of the saddle.
    “ I’d prefer to ride in a cart,” the sister told the big knight.
    “ The road we’re taking makes traveling by cart difficult,” he responded.
    Cristiana did her best to suppress a smile, but the woman looked ridiculous. She perched awkwardly atop her steed with her knees up near the horse’s neck even as she continued to protest. The horse seemed as uncomfortable as the nun, glancing back to see what the person on its back was doing.
    William watched the spectacle as well. He turned away to hide his smile and caught Cristiana’s gaze, his brown eyes sparkling with mirth.
    That smile made her catch her breath.
    His crooked grin was boyishly charming and sent a wash of sensation through her. She held his gaze for a long moment before shifting her attention to her horse. It would be best if she left the company of the handsome William before these odd feelings distracted her from her purpose.
    Before the day ended, she intended to do just that.
     

CHAPTER THREE
    Autumn leaves covered the ground, painting it shades of rust, gold, and brown. Evergreens and bare-branched oaks lined the path they followed. The landscape on the top of this ridge held little advantage for Cristiana as the thinning foliage didn’t provide enough cover.
    Urgency filled her as the sun lowered on the horizon . If she could escape before dusk, darkness would hide her and give her the time she needed to put distance between her and the rest of their small party.
    The day had passed slowly, their pace hampered by Sister Mawde as Cristiana had