Kirk appeared stunned. “Ann would never hurt our daughter.”
“I don’t know that for sure.”
“Ann is repentant.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“Ann is a good woman and I blame myself for the terrible choice she had to make years ago. But it was a necessary one and one made to protect our daughter,” Kirk said.
“The wiser choice would have been to send Dawn to you, but instead Ann gave the child away and cared not a whit as to what happened to her.”
“And suffered every day because of that unselfish decision,” Kirk said in defense of the woman he loved.
“Suffered?” Cree snapped. “She orders her helpless newborn daughter, who cannot utter a sound, given away to God knows who and she suffered? She was lucky that a good woman took Dawn and loved her as only a mother—” Cree turned away a moment and then turned back. “I have no more time to discuss this. We’ll talk later and Lady Ann is not to visit with Dawn until I give permission. Is that clear, McClusky?”
The sharp warning in Cree’s voice had Kirk drawing his head back, as if he’d been taken to task. “Perfectly clear.” He gave a respectful nod and left without saying another word.
Sloan stepped forward. “What is it?”
“The woman who raised Dawn was a loving mother. Dawn has nothing but praise for her and loves her more than I think she could ever possibly love Lady Ann. For a stranger to give such love and have such patience with a child who is not her own takes a damn good reason.”
“She was a good, unselfish woman.”
“That she was. She unselfishly gave up the daughter she just had so that she would have a better life and took the babe, who had no voice, and loved her as she would have loved her own daughter.”
Sloan’s brow scrunched and he shook his head. “Are you saying that the woman who raised Dawn was Lucerne’s mother?”
“I would wager a bet on it and I know someone who could confirm this.”
“Old Mary,” Sloan said with a grin, though it faded fast.
“You’re thinking what I should have realized long before,” Cree said heading for the door. “Old Mary’s life could be in just as much danger as Dawn’s.”
~~~
Dawn almost collided with Torr if it wasn’t for his hand grabbing hold of her arm and steadying her.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he asked releasing her arm once her feet found firm footing.
“She’ll not be going anywhere without Cree’s permission,” Elwin said stepping forward.
Dawn rolled her eyes at Torr and held her hands up in prayer pleading with him for help.
He smiled and winked at her, then turned to Elwin. “I’m sure Cree wouldn’t mind if I accompanied Dawn to her destination.”
Dawn sent Elwin a hopeful look.
“Send one of the guards to let Cree know where we’ll be,” Torr said and turned to Dawn.
Dawn hunched over and gnarled her fingers to let them know she wanted to go see Old Mary.
“Old Mary’s,” Torr confirmed with a nod. “That’s not far and I’m sure Cree would not object.”
Elwin sent one of the guards off to the keep to notify Cree, and then ordered two guards to follow behind Dawn while he took the lead. Torr walked alongside Dawn.
Torr lowered his voice. “My father had hoped to talk with you away from your cottage and prying eyes, but I see that may be impossible.”
She nodded. She would not slip off and give Cree reason to worry, though she did wonder if he would be perturbed with her for not waiting for him to take her to Old Mary’s. He had wanted her to keep close to him, but this was so important. What if Old Mary was in danger at this minute and she had waited. She would never forgive herself. Besides, she intended to pay heed to the old woman’s words and ‘trust no one’ until all the secrets were brought to light and she could determine for herself who was friend or foe. Therefore, she would make certain not to go anywhere with guards she was unfamiliar with.
Old Mary was at the door as if expecting them, but then she probably knew they were coming. Her knowing frightened some in the village, but those who were friends accepted her uncanny knowledge.
Dawn was relieved to see her standing there well and safe.
“Come in, come in,” Old Mary said with a smile. “The others will be here shortly.”
“Others,” Torr asked what Dawn was about to.
“Cree and Sloan are on their way,” she said. “Sit and enjoy the hot cider Flanna just brought. It will help warm against the cold.”
Dawn had been so intent on getting to Old Mary’s that she hadn’t realize how bitter the air had turned, but she felt it now in her ice cold hands.