“I wonder if Brother Noble ever found the witch and found she was no help to him.”
“Some say she covers her home with a spell that keeps it invisible to all, except the ones she allows to see it,” Oria said.
“That’s nonsense. You can’t believe that,” Royden said. “The woods stretch far and wide. There are areas I have yet to explore or even wish to explore. She simply makes her home where few, if any at all travel. I think I will ask him if he’s run across the witch.”
“I’ll go with you,” Oria was quick to say.
“No, I’ll not have you go near the leper,” Royden commanded. “You’ll go to your bedchamber and rest. And don’t waste your breath in protest. You will do as I say.” He released her hand. “Now go.”
“Royden.”
He turned to see Angus there.
“You’re needed in the field to settle a dispute that can’t wait,” Angus said.
Royden turned back to Oria and raised a finger at her. “Go in the keep and stay there until I return and don’t dare disobey me.”
Oria grew annoyed that he walked off and was so confident that she wouldn’t defy his order that he didn’t even turn around to make sure she continued on to the keep. She waited until he was nearly out of sight, then turned and hurried toward the woods.
Chapter 10
Oria stopped at the edge of the woods and shook her head. She was acting like a petulant child defying a parent. Royden was her husband, and while it was considered a wife’s duty to obey her husband, her marriage to Burnell had taught her otherwise.
Burnell had allowed her to choose for herself, and he had made it clear that if anything troubled her she was to talk with him about it. He couldn’t always promise things would work out as she wanted, but he would do his best to see that she understood why.
Refuse to look at a problem reasonably and you will never solve it, Burnell’s words reminded.
Defying her husband’s order would not solve his commanding attitude. She turned to go to the keep and stopped abruptly. Her husband stood not far from her, his arms folded across his chest and a stern look that far from marred his fine features.
She smiled seeing him there, his stance impressive. “So you didn’t trust me to do as told.”
“It hasn’t taken long to learn that some qualities you once possessed vanished with the years. Besides, there is a defiance in your eyes when you intend to do as you like, a new trait I’ve discovered in you.”
Now there was something she’d be wise to remember.
“You’re observant,” Oria said, another thing she’d be wise to remember. “What of the matter you were needed to settle?”
“I gave Angus clear instructions that would settle it fast enough. What kept you from defying me?”
“Common sense,” she said and walked over to him, stretching her hand out to him. She was pleased he didn’t hesitate to take it and was even more pleased when the strength of his hand closed around hers. “Your command was out of concern for me and it would have been rude of me to ignore it.”
“I will not lose you again,” he said, though it was more a command that warned of an unseen foe. “Even though you’ve become pig-headed.”
His remark not only touched her heart, it made her laugh. “We shall make a good couple—me pig-headed and you commanding and grumpy.”
He grunted rather than argued since she was partially right.
“Since you don’t have to rush off, why don’t we go see if the leper is Brother Noble?”
“It is me, Lady Oria.”
Both Oria and Royden turned to see the leper keeping himself tucked behind a tree, his hood barely visible.
Nonetheless, Royden took no chance, he tucked his wife behind him.
“My condolences at the loss of your husband, my lady. I will pray for his soul.” Brother Noble said.
“You were ordered to remain where you were told,” Royden reprimanded.
Oria stepped out from behind her husband, but his arm shot out blocking her from going any farther. “Thank you, Brother Noble, that is kind of you.”
“She is no longer Lady Oria, she is Mistress Oria, my wife,” Royden informed him.
“My congratulations. It is good to know you are well looked after.”
“What brings you so close to the keep?” Royden demanded.
His wife pushed at his arm to move past him.
“You’ll stay put and hold your tongue,” he whispered tersely.
“I am quite rested and wish to move on. I came hoping to get the food you offered so I can be on my way.”
“I’ll have it brought to you and—”
“Please feel free to seek food and shelter here on your travels,” Oria said, her husband’s head snapping to the side to glare at her. She paid him no heed, too anxious to ask, “I heard you were looking for the witch. Did you find her?”