Maud fluffed the pillow on the big bed and prepared to lie down to wait for Sigefrith. There was no time to lose. She had allowed herself a few nights of miserable weeping in the empty nursery after Malcolm left, but the month was passing quickly. She trusted him enough to do what he asked.
He had given her a ring on the last night – not to wear, but to keep. If she were ever in danger enough, she could flee north and show the ring, and if she met with friends she would find her way back to him. And if she met with enemies, he had warned… she wasn’t sure that the talk of enemies wasn’t a means to prevent her from following him. But she had often heard the tale of Egelric’s ring, and she believed in its power.
And, he had told her, if she had a son, he might want to find his father someday. But that was so many years hence! Maud would be old – perhaps dead. She did not truly believe she would ever see him again. But she planned to befriend Egelric Wodehead. He might serve as a messenger between them, though unawares.
Maud closed her eyes and sighed. The pillow smelled like Sigefrith. Everything in the room reminded her of Sigefrith. Sigefrith, everywhere, closing her in and trapping her here. She would try to sleep. Let him try to follow her into her dreams!
Chapters
I hope he doesn't come. She deserves to get caught.