There Your Heart Will Be Also Read Free Page B

she and those who help ed her had no time to set things around the village awry . Therefore what the visitor saw was indeed a pleasant surprise.
    P eople were scattered about the grounds doing work. The garden was well - tended. Children frolicked happily. Everything was in perfect order . Sarra could see the cogs turning in his mind .
    But as she watched the man his expression shifted to a frown, then deepening into a scowl, which caused her own happy nature to resurface.
    The stranger was so focused on the castle and its orderly surroundings , he’d almost bowled over Charism who was standing directly in his path . Sarra cover ed her mouth to stifle the giggle that threatened to escape.
    â€œExcuse me , miss. I didna’ see ye there.”
    Charism waved a bony hand at the newcomer . “Never ye mind, S onny. What can we do for ye?”
    With a beefy paw, t he man pulled a letter out of the leather pouch hanging on his side. Pointing with the parchment , he spoke with an authoritative tone. “ I’m Barney. I have a missive from the King. I would ‘ ave speech with the mistress of the castle, if ye please.”
    â€œAye?” asked Charism, one eyebrow arched upward.
    A stutter ing , “Aye?” was said. P aus ing , he took a deep breath and added , “My lady, if ye will just point me to the mistress.”
    â€œYe are looking at the lady of the castle,” replied Charism.
    Sarra watched the myriad of emotions play across the heavily - jowled face. Shock seemed to be the current emotion displayed . If the situation had not been so dire, she might have laughed out loud. But as it stood, she kept her laughter in check and continued to follow the drama as it unfolded.
    â€œYe, my lady?” Barney’s face registered a stunned look. Sarra found herself wondering just what he ’ d expected of the mistress. Charism continued to stare at him with birdlike eyes, playing her part to perfection.
    â€œWell, S onny, I might not be what ye expect, but I am lady of this keep , and ye will refrain from insulting me.”
    â€œI meant no disrespect, me lady. I am just a wee bit confused. Ye see , I was led to believe the lord , well, I mean the lady of the keep was younger.”
    Sarra loved this part. It was always the same. They all knew Charism was too old to be the lord’s daughter. At least, they thought they knew. But they were all scared to say she was too old . T hey would cover their confusion with some kind of nonsensical rambling . Sarra enjoyed Charism’s different explanations , n ever once sa ying it was just because she was old.
    â€œWell , ye see deary , I am younger than I look. It was the pox , ye know. And then there was the famine . I t did terrible things to me bones and left me bent over and humped and such. And , well , the sun, ye know is bad for a body . C auses lines on the face....”
    Sarra watched the newest suitor as he listen ed to Charism ramble on and on about the ailments which had caused her to appear seventy instead of the score of years which was expect ed . Th e visitor must have realized certain issues mentioned had nothing to do with her aged form. Perhaps he even considered she was just old or maybe the previous l ord had had children at a young age. Whatever the case, t he stranger didn’t seem ready to leave just yet.
    Sarra noticed the man had quit listening. Charism must have noticed it as well because she changed the subject. “Ye have to be a mite hungry after all ye travels . ”
    â€œWell, n ay . Not at the moment.”
    â€œRubbish. Maid ? M aid ? W here are ye deary?”
    Sarra stepped out from behind Charism. “Here I am , my lady . ” Sarra made a deep curtsy , keeping veiled eyes glued on the guest at all times.
    â€œMaid, go inside and have C ook arrange an assortment of delicacies for our new visitor. And remember, only the finest for this one.”
    Sarra stood from the curtsey and