to the keep, and if it is too small I will have Tarr build you a bigger one,” Fiona said.
Aliss realized her sister wanted her close, and she did want to be close. But she was also eager to have a cottage all to herself so that she could work with her herbs and tend the ill.
“I would like to see if the one nearer the woods suits me.”
Fiona shrugged. “If you want to we will look at it.”
Aliss smiled at her sister’s reluctant surrender, though she had far from capitulated. Fiona would find reasons why the cottage would not suit Aliss, when it was Fiona who it did not suit. She would be patient with her sister as usual, and if the abode were to her liking she would have Fiona agreeing in no time.
Fiona smiled and perked up when she said, “You know there is much to do for the wedding celebration, perhaps the cottage should wait until afterward.”
“I heard your mother has everything well in hand,” Erin said, to Fiona’s dismay.
Aliss kept her smile steady, though she wished to chuckle at her sister’s obvious attempt to delay her move. It would have been an excellent excuse to keep her busy at the keep. But Erin was right. Anya did have everything well in hand, which was why she was so exhausted and needed rest, though it would not surprise her to find Anya right now in the kitchen seeing to the food preparation or with the women who volunteered to stitch the wedding dress or with the women who gathered the garlands and berries for the decorations.
“Mother is tenacious like you,” Aliss said teasingly.
“And you are not, wanting to find a cottage now when there are other important matters to consider?”
“I but take a look, Fiona,” Aliss said and stood. “Let us go now.”
Fiona hurried out of her seat and wrapped herself in the cloak. “Good then we can be done with it.”
“It sits at the end of the village, on the side that borders the woods,” Erin explained. “It has been empty some time and needs repairs.”
That bit of news seemed to make Fiona happy. “It may be beyond repair.”
“We shall see,” Aliss said, and out the door they went, Fiona bumping into Tarr as they turned the corner.
Tarr grabbed her arm anxiously. “Never go off without telling me where you go.”
“You were sleeping.”
“And I woke to an empty bed with no one in the keep able to tell me where you had gone. And imagine my shock when I could not find your sister, or your mother.” He sent Aliss a look that warned he had yet to deal with her.
Aliss ignored it. She was more concerned with her mother’s whereabouts. “Have you found mother?”
“She is in the kitchen ordering everyone about,” Tarr confirmed.
“Kirk knew—”
“And should have informed me immediately where you both had gone,” Tarr finished. He glanced from one twin to the other. “While I want to believe you both safe here on Hellewyk land, I would be a fool to assume that. We now believe the person who poses a threat to you both could be here right now. I do not intend to take any chances. While there are numerous guards posted, you must be diligent in keeping me informed as to your whereabouts at all times.”
“He is right,” Aliss agreed. “I trusted Kirk and I still do, but Tarr should have been told that I left the keep.”
“I also agree it is wise, for the moment,” Fiona was quick to add.
Tarr grinned and shook his head. “I can see that your tenacious manner is going to challenge me.”
“What is life without a challenge?” Fiona asked, and gave him a quick kiss.
“Peaceful,” Tarr answered as she stepped away from him.
“Boring,” Fiona countered. “Aliss and I were just about to go look at the cottage near the end of the village to see if it would suit her needs.”
“That is a good-size one. I think you may like it,” Tarr said.
Fiona quickly mentioned it needed repairs.
“None that cannot be done easily,” Tarr said, and hooked Fiona’s arm over his. “I will go with you and show you where it is.”
Raynor waved to them and hurried over, joining with them as soon as he learned of their destination.
Aliss saw the cottage before any of them, and when she did her eyes rounded. It was much larger than she had thought with two windows and remnants of a garden that wrapped around from the