Mariselle led her back through the woods, to her property. As they walked past the cottage, she glanced nervously at it, hoping that her parents were still sound asleep. Fortunately, all appeared to be quiet inside. When they finally made it inside of the barn, the rain started.
“Now that was close,” Anne said, bending down and opening up the cloak.
“Yes. Thank you again for helping me,” Mariselle replied as the kittens scattered. She grabbed the closest one, Panther, and sat down cross-legged on the straw.
“What’s your name?” Anne asked, shaking the grass and sand from her cloak.
“Mariselle.”
The woman smiled warmly. “Pretty name. Do you mind if I take refuge from the storm in your barn?”
“No, not at all,” Mariselle said, staring up at her. The woman was pretty, with shiny red hair and eyes the color of honey.
Anne sat down across from her and began playing with the white kitten. “How old are they?”
“Just a few weeks.”
“I love kittens,” the woman said, twirling a piece of straw above Frosty, who was on his back and trying to whap it.
“Me, too.”
They sat in silence, both of them playing with the kittens. Soon the rain grew more intense, so much so that it leaked through holes in the roof and down around them.
“Do you live nearby by?” she asked, shivering.
Anne was slow to answer. “Yes, in town.”
“I’ve never seen you before,” Mariselle replied, studying her again. She thought that the woman was around her mother’s age, if not younger.
“Nor I, you. The town is big, though. I’m sure we probably passed each other several times in the past and you just never noticed me.”
“Yeah. Your hair is very pretty,” she said, admiring it. “I’ve never seen anyone’s as red or as shiny as yours before.”
Anne smiled. “You are very kind. May I ask you a question?”
Mariselle nodded.
“Why are you hiding out here in the barn, where it’s cold and wet? You do live here, don’t you?”
“Yes, I live here.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m not hiding, though.”
Anne raised an eyebrow. “Your parents don’t know you’re out here, though, do they?”
Mariselle pursed her lips.
“Relax,” Anne said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I won’t tell on you. I was just curious.”
Mariselle sighed. “My parents won’t let me keep the kittens in the house and I wanted to be with them. So they wouldn’t be scared out here.”
“Ah, so, they think you’re safely tucked in your bed?”
She nodded.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to protect your kittens. I wouldn’t want to leave them alone either,” Anne replied, yawning. “I think the rain will keep them in here for the rest of the night, though. Let’s hope, at least.”
Mariselle nodded. Another loud clap of thunder from outside made her jump.
Anne chuckled. “You don’t like storms?”
Before she could answer, a cold droplet of rain splattered onto Mariselle cheek. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. “It’s okay. I just don’t like the thunder.”
“It’s the lightening you need to worry about. Not the thunder,” she said, lying down on top of the straw. Anne closed her eyes. “It’s kind of like people. The loud ones aren’t always the real threat. It’s the silent ones... they’re the ones you have to watch out for.”
Mariselle lay down across from her. “My mother always says that you need to keep your friend’s close, but your enemies closer.”
“Smart woman,” she said softly.
Mariselle suddenly felt very safe in her presence. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Anne opened her eyes and looked at her.
“You’re nice and… I was scared being out here in the barn by myself,” she admitted. “Now I’m not.”
The woman smiled. “Good.”
Mariselle nodded and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Anne.”
“Goodnight, Mariselle.”
7
WHEN ANGELIQUE WOKE the following morning, she noticed two things: Mariselle had left the barn, and she’d given up the blanket for her. The kind gesture put a smile on her face.
As she was sitting up, the barn door opened and Mariselle stepped back inside, carrying something bundled up in rag.
“Good. You’re awake,” the little girl said rushing toward her. She sat down cross-legged. “You slept even longer than I did.”
“I must have really needed it,” Angelique replied, staring at her clothing. Unlike many of the villagers, Mariselle’s burgundy tunic had embroidery stitched along the waistline and was obviously made of high quality linen. Although she hadn’t gotten a clear look at the child’s home in the darkness, Angelique was under the assumption that her family lived comfortably.
“Are you hungry?”
Mariselle smiled. “Yes.”
“Good. I brought you something to eat,” Mariselle said, unwrapping the rag.
The sight of a large piece of crusty bread made Angelique’s stomach growl. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Mariselle handed it to her. “I would have brought you more, but my mother walked into the kitchen,” she said, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t want her to ask me any questions.”
“I understand. If the situation were reversed, I’d feel the same way. Speaking of your mother, what is her name?” she asked, tearing off a piece of the bread.
“Karina.”
Angelique took a bite of the bread. She’d known only one Karina in the village. Although they hadn’t been enemies, they hadn’t exactly been friends either. If it was the same person, she didn’t think the woman would be at all pleased to find her in their barn. Especially with all of the gossip and lies that had been spread about her. She finished chewing and ripped off another piece. “What about your father?”
“His name is Marcus.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that her father was the sheriff of Berkshire County? Could her luck get any worse? “Langer?”
Mariselle nodded. “You obviously know of him. Everyone does.”
The truth was that she’d always admired Marcus, because of his loyalty to the king. But, he was also bamboozled by Gaylen’s lies and would arrest her immediately if given the chance. Angelique knew she had to leave and quickly.
“I have to go,” she said brushing the crumbs from her clothing. She, stood up and tucked the bread into her pocket. “Thank you for your kindness, Mariselle. I will never forget it.”
Her eyes widened and she stood up. “Did I say something wrong?”
The girl was very observant. A trait she obviously picked up from her father.
Angelique chuckled softly. “No, not at all. I just have several things to do today and should get to them. Thank you again for your hospitality,” she said, picking up the blanket from the straw. After shaking it clean, she folded it and handed it to her.
“My mother says that I ask too many questions of strangers,” Mariselle said, studying her face. “That it annoys people.”
“You didn’t annoy me at all.”
Mariselle looked relieved. “Good. Thank you again for helping me with my kittens.”
Angelique looked around. “Where are the little rascals?”
“They’re just outside. Probably getting into trouble again.” Her face grew serious. “I should go and look for them, I guess.”
Before Angelique could reply, the barn door opened. “Mariselle?” called a woman’s voice. “Are you in here?”
The child sucked in her breath.
Alarmed, Angelique reached into her pocket and put her hand on the wand.
Karina stepped inside and then froze when she noticed Angelique. From the look on the woman’s face, she recognized her.
Angelique sighed.
“Mother, um, this is Anne,” Mariselle said with a nervous smile.
Karina’s lip trembled. Swallowing, she held out her hand. “Mariselle, come here,” she said in a shaky voice.
“I know she’s a stranger, but she’s very nice,” the child replied. “In fact, she helped me with my kittens earlier.”
“Mariselle, I said come here,” Karina said more sternly.
The girl’s eyebrows knit together. “But-”
Karina clenched her teeth. “Mariselle!”
Angelique pushed the girl gently toward her mother. “Go, to her.”
“Karina, did you find Mariselle?” Marcus called loudly before stepping inside of the barn. When he saw Angelique, a look of shock and then anger spread across his face.
8