A perfect time for her to escape.
Bethane took her hand. “Stay here. I believe if you and Ronan could talk—”
Carissa laughed and shook her head. “His hatred for me is too great. I must leave.”
Bethane smiled softly. “Then let me help you.” She continued before Carissa could protest. “A heavy snowfall will arrive soon, and you will need shelter. There is a cottage deep in the woods where I sometimes tend those who prefer not to come to the village. It is well stocked with provisions, and no one knows where it is. You should be safe there for now.”
“You have created a safe haven here, and I don’t wish to jeopardize that.”
“Trust me when I tell you that you won’t,” Bethane insisted. “Go to the cottage, and all will be well.”
If it were possible for her to cry, Carissa would have, but to protect herself she had not shed a tear since she was very young. She had rarely known kindness, so when it was shown her, it touched her heart though none believed she had one.
“The only problem I foresee is how you can escape without detection,” Bethane said.
Carissa smiled. “I only need a moment to disappear.”
Chapter 5
Ronan kept his eye on Carissa, who ambled around the village as he helped his brothers ready for departure. Since Zia had attended his wounds once, he knew her, but not well, though what he did know had him concluding that she was a good match for Artair. However, he found Alyce a strange choice for Lachlan. It certainly wasn’t her features that he found odd, for she was a beauty. It was that Lachlan was a charmer where Alyce seemed a warrior woman and a capable one at that. Earlier, when they had discussed options, she had offered sound advice and made an accurate assumption on Carissa’s nature.
One thing the two women did have in common was that you could see in their eyes how much they loved their husbands, and his heart ached even more for the woman he had loved and Carissa had murdered.
He glared at Carissa kicking at a puppy that playfully nipped at the hem of her skirt. She was a mean woman, even to animals.
“You do know that it will be difficult to restrain mother from coming here,” Cavan said. “Only the weather will be able to deter her, and even then I don’t believe it will stop her.”
While Ronan addressed his brother, he kept sight of Carissa from the corner of his eye as she pulled her hood up over her head, the sharp wind having grown colder. “I have missed her. Tell her to stay put, I will be home soon.”
“She never doubted you would return home.”
“She always had more confidence in me than I did,” Ronan said. “How has she fared since Father…” He couldn’t say aloud that his father was dead. It sounded much too final, and the pain of his loss continued to be a heavy burden.
“It’s been a struggle for her,” Cavan said, “though lately she’s been much better. I suppose having three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren has helped.”
Ronan could only nod, for he still couldn’t believe how much his family had changed and gained since his absence, whereas while he might have changed, he had lost far more than he had gained.
“I still feel our departure places a sole burden on you that should be shared by us all,” Cavan said. “You have suffered enough and have been away from home far too long. You should be returning home with us.”
“I’m not ready to come home yet, and you of all people should understand why.”
“I do understand.” Cavan nodded. “My wife Honora would as well, for she was the one who had to deal with me when I returned home, though truth be told, she was the one who helped me heal.”
“I honestly don’t know…” Ronan paused and turned to look at Carissa still fighting off the puppy. “I don’t know if I can ever heal.”
Cavan rested a firm hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Time is the only potion that will heal your wounds.”
Ronan wanted to believe that, but it was difficult. His pain and hatred were too great right now to think he would ever heal, feel whole again, let alone love again.
“I will see you soon,” Cavan said confidently.
Ronan hoped that would be so and was soon receiving hugs from his brothers that brought back happier memories, and well-wishes from his sisters-in-law.
“When the worst of winter passes, we will return for you and Carissa,” Cavan said after mounting his horse. “I am anxious for you to meet my twin sons. One is named for you.”
Ronan was struck speechless and could do nothing but stare after his family as they rode slowly away. He could not believe the honor his brother had bestowed on him, and it struck him like a fist to his gut just how much Cavan and he had been through.