see if I truly know George.”
“He’s made no mention of you,” she said cautiously and caught a small amount of the spice on the tip of her finger to place on her tongue. It had a pungent but pleasing taste.
“And for a good reason that you don’t need to know. I, for one, didn’t see the point in me coming here but she insisted on it and insisted you could be trusted with the message—as long as you were wed.”
Purity felt a catch to her heart.
Raven.
She dared not say her name aloud. Raven had kept herself safe these last five years, no one able to find her, and Purity wouldn’t be responsible for bringing her any harm.
“You can ensure her that I’m good and wed. My husband, Arran, and I have exchanged vows twice, once with Brother Noble and again with Abbott Thomas. And I can tell you she will be pleased to learn who I wed.”
“I will make sure that she knows,” Clive said with a brief nod. “She asks that you maintain your silence and do your best to keep her brothers from searching for her. She knows they are intent on finding her, especially Arran. He was relentless after his release. His interference does not help her. A plan is in motion and will soon reveal itself.”
“Arran is far too busy with problems we are having here right now. Presently, he has no time to search for her. How long before this plan is revealed?”
“The start of winter will finally see its fruition.”
“May I ask if this plan has anything to do with a buildup of Wolf’s warriors at Learmonth?” she asked.
“The buildup is not meant to harm any of the clans, our king and Wolf’s king has seen to that. Wolf is claiming Learmonth as his home,” Clive said.
“That explains the arrival of his warriors. They’re settling in before his arrival and securing his safety,” Purity said, grateful that puzzle was solved.
“I believe Oria and Royden were already aware that Learmonth now belonged to Wolf,” Clive informed her.
“I’m sure they are aware, though I don’t know if they expected him to take residence there this soon, if at all. It is difficult knowing our enemy will be our neighbor. He has brought much harm to our clans, our families, and that is not easy to forgive.”
“Perhaps not easy, but necessary, if you want to have peace,” Clive urged.
Purity got the distinct feeling that he was trying to tell her something, but she didn’t know what.
“Will you come this way again?” she asked.
He smiled. “You’ll see me again.”
That wasn’t what she had asked him and this time she thought she understood. She would see him again but she didn’t think it would be as a merchant. If not? Then who was he?
“Let me see your cloth, and I’ll also have my cook see if she favors any of the other spices,” Purity said with the authority of the mistress of the keep.
Clive bobbed his head. “As you say, mistress.”
Purity looked over the cloth while Iona examined the small sacks of spices. After haggling over cost, spices and cloth were purchased.
“I’ll see you again,” Purity said, cradling the roll of cloth as Clive climbed up on the cart and took the reins of his horse in hand.
“That you will, mistress. That you will.”
Purity watched him ride off. She thought he might stay for the night but he was eager to reach the Clan MacKinnon before nightfall and before the rain returned.
“Thank you, mistress. You are generous,” Iona said when Purity turned around. “I will make some fine meals with these spices.”
“I look forward to them.”
Iona wrinkled her nose. “I shouldn’t say this about a dead man but I didn’t like some of the herbs Orvin used. They had an odor when they should have had a pleasant scent.”
“You are a fine cook, Iona, and I’m grateful to have you.”
The woman’s cheeks turned rosy. “Thank you, mistress.”
Purity smiled and lowered her voice curious to ask, “Now tell me if you favor Quiver, for it’s obvious he favors you.”
Iona’s cheeks turned crimson and she grew flustered.
“I have my answer,” Purity announced with a chuckle. “And I for one believe you are perfect for each other.”
“Who’s perfect for each other?” Arran asked, stepping outside.
Purity saw Iona tense as if not sure what the chieftain would do if he found out, and she responded quickly, “You and I, of course. Absolutely perfect for each other. Don’t you agree, Iona?”
“Aye, mistress, perfect,” Iona