"I apologize," she said. "That was partly my fault, I'm afraid. I am the one-"
"I know who ye are, milady. Whispers all over of the fair woman o' the wood has come. And we know you bring tidings from the Black Lily." Her countenance softened. "That brave woman who is leading the whole revolution."
"Stand guard!" a young boy with a mop of brown hair shouted as he leaped from behind a curtained door with a wooden sword pointed at Sienna. "Or I'll cut you through if you're with the black queen."
Sienna actually jumped in fright, smiled, then wiped her expression clean, quickly thrusting her hands up in surrender. "I mean you no harm, sir. I'm certainly not on the side of the black queen."
The boy grinned from ear to ear, missing his two front teeth.
"Ah, John. Go on and wash up," snapped his mother, though there was a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "We've got lots to do before our journey."
His brown eyes rounded. "A journey?"
"Aye. Be gone with ya." She grabbed her broom as if to swat him with it, but he tore off into the next room before she could have at him.
Sienna laughed. "What a sweet boy."
"Sweet? Pssh. A scoundrel, if ever one was born." She shook her head and set her broom aside. "But I love 'im all the same."
She turned and busied herself at the counter with a wrap of wax paper and slicing some kind of bread. Again the waft of cinnamon filled her nostrils.
"Well, thank you for the breakfast. It was delicious."
"Hold on, milady. I've got a small parcel of vittles for ye."
"No, I couldn't take more from you."
"Nay bother. This is a good working farm. Plenty to eat." She tucked a few slices of that delicious-smelling cake she gathered with a few other wrapped items and tied it together in white sack-cloth, then turned with it in her hands. "Plenty of work, too." Her face grew somber. "My man Harrison's uncle will watch the place. Harrison said he doesn't know where we're going or how long we'll be gone." Her gaze left the window, questioning her with a glance.
"That is true."
"Can ye tell me if it's safe where we're going?"
"It is very safe," she assured her, taking the bundle of goods and squeezing her hand for good measure before she stepped back with a smile. "It is well protected and far from the prying eyes of the Glass Tower. That is also why we keep the whereabouts a secret."
With a deep breath, the woman gave a nod, then snatched up her broom. "I wish ye well, milady. Heaven knows you be doin' a fearful job."
Sienna smiled. "Perhaps. But a necessary one."
"Beware on the road."
"Aye. And you send my friend, Arabelle, good tidings for me, will you? You'll be seeing her before I do."
That wiped away the frown puckering the woman's brow. "Oh, aye. I will."
Sienna stepped out of the farmhouse, imagining little John at swordplay with his wooden sword on the sands of Cutters Cove. Of course, Sienna had never been there herself, but she was one of the few who knew the location of the Black Lily training camp.
It was natural for the farmer's wife to fear their destiny, especially leaving such a fine farm behind. But that was what told her how strongly the people felt about the cause. A cause that had become so much of her own, no matter that she was born into the aristocracy. She'd always felt apart from her own people. Except her grandmother. She was her grandmother's granddaughter, not her mother's daughter.
Nikolai clasped Harrison's hand in parting, then the farmer strolled off toward the barn, and Nikolai walked toward Sienna. Interesting that she noticed a keen difference in his complexion. Normally quite pale, there was a distinct blush along his jaw. One might think it was simply from the overly cool morning air. But Sienna knew better. It was her own blood that put that handsome blush in his cheeks. Strange that this fact should make her swell with pride. And possessiveness.
"Good morning," he said in his typically austere manner. No sign that anything was different between them.
Sienna sighed with relief. "Morning."
"Shall we be off?" He gestured toward the woods behind the house. "I say we go by cover of the woodlands as far as we can."
"I couldn't agree more." She yearned to be back in the shade of Silvane Forest. For she knew today's journey would be the last time she was within the forest until their mission was over.
They walked side by side across the grassy plain behind the farm until Sienna caught sight of a white flash pacing the perimeter of the wood. Her heart burst with glee, and she sprinted toward the tree line. She drew closer, and the morning light grew brighter. The form of her dear friend, Duchess, stood waiting for her, wagging her tail.