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passing through to the village Tine. I myself had baked two loaves of bread to bring to Joslyn, a new mother whose babe I helped birth.”
    â€œThe soldiers took it from you?”
    â€œNay,” Elsa said with a smile and shake of her head. “I know their tactics well, and my bundle of rags looked nothing more than that.”
    â€œDo you know where they were taking my da?” Charlotte asked.
    â€œGossip was more speculation than anything though I gleaned some information that may prove important from Old John. He’s a man in the village Tine few pay attention to, stooped and battered by age and battle and thought not right in the mind. He says there is a secret place where the king’s soldiers take prisoners, and they are never seen again.”
    A chill raced through Charlotte. “He didn’t know its location?”
    â€œI wasn’t sure. How would he know of its existence if it was so secret—”
    â€œUnless he’d been there himself,” Charlotte finished. Encouraged by the news, she gave a slight jump and cringed, grabbing at her ribs.
    â€œLet me have a look,” Elsa offered.
    Charlotte nodded. “Thank you. Having you tend my ribs would help me greatly.”
    Elsa helped her remove her vest and lift her tunic and shirt, and as she stripped the cloth that bound Charlotte’s small breasts, she asked, “How so?”
    â€œBryce insists that he examine my ribs to see how severe the damage.”
    Elsa chuckled. “My, oh my, would he be in for a shock.”
    Charlotte laughed, then winced as Elsa gently touched the bruise beneath her right breast and asked her a few questions. “Seems like nothing more than a good bruise that will heal in time.”
    â€œGood,” Charlotte said, relieved, as she raised her hands for Elsa to wrap the cloth around her breasts. “Will you tell Bryce that so he doesn’t insist on seeing for himself?”
    â€œAye, I will.” Elsa shook her head. “But I don’t see how you’re going to keep your secret from him for long. He does not appear a dumb man. And for the moment, he sees what you want him to see. But I fear that will not continue for long. The truth might be better coming from you rather than having him discover it on his own.”
    â€œHe trusts the lad . . .” Charlotte sighed, letting her words trail off along with her worry.
    â€œYou fear he will not trust the woman?”
    â€œI tricked him, and he might not take kindly to that.”
    â€œHe might understand why. A young woman alone is more prone to danger than an audacious lad.”
    â€œThough, would he favor an audacious woman?”
    â€œIt is his favor you want?” Elsa asked with a kindly smile.
    â€œNay. Nay, I meant trust, would he trust an audacious woman.”
    Elsa gave a comforting pat to the girl’s arm before helping her into her tunic. “He is a handsome Highlander for sure. I imagine many a woman lost her heart”—she gave a wink—“and even more to him.”
    â€œI have no time for such thoughts, and, besides, he would find no interest in a scrawny woman who is forever curious, chatty, and strong in opinion.”
    â€œPerhaps,” Elsa said, “or perhaps it is the type of woman he needs.”
    Elsa insisted Charlotte sit in the chair by the fire and rest while she busied herself with preparations for supper. Charlotte had offered her help, but Elsa would not hear of it. She was adamant about Charlotte resting to help heal her bruises.
    Realizing that opposing the amiable woman was futile, she surrendered and curled in the wooden chair softened by a bulky blanket and pillow. It was like sinking into thick bedding, and she soon found her eyes much too heavy to keep open.
    Her final thoughts were a bit chaotic as she drifted off to sleep, jumping from worries over her father to worries over Bryce’s discovering her secret.
    â€œ