CHAPTER 26

“Thank you both for giving up your night to help me,” Mary said. “You and Maddie tell the other women to take to their beds and not to worry about rising before noon. The other serving women can take over your duties while you rest.”

Both women nodded gratefully and hurried off, leaving Mary alone in the hall.

Mary surveyed her handiwork one more time before she turned and trudged toward the stairs. She’d not exactly kept her word to Edward. Her side pained her considerably, and she hoped she hadn’t torn any of the stitches, but the truth of the matter was, the work needed to be done, and it wasn’t fair to expect the women of the keep to work long hours if she herself wasn’t willing.

She felt great satisfaction in the role she’d taken on. The women had worked long and hard but with a cheerful spirit. They had gone to great lengths to please Mary.

For the first time, this felt like home. Her home. And she felt truly a part of the Woods clan.

She eased into her chamber, but she needn’t