"Do you love another?" Charlet was asking.
Connor had trouble hiding his smile, "I did until today."
"Was it Rachel?"
"Aye, but Rachel never smells like flowers. I believe now I will have to find a bride who does."
Rachel rolled her eyes. It would be a cold day in hell before she rubbed flower petals in her hair. In fact, she thought she might try something a lot less pleasant the next time she needed to avoid Connor in the forest. She moved away from the window and sat back down on her bed. Flowers indeed. Then a thought occurred to her and she smiled. Perhaps she would suggest all the young women rub flower petals in their hair -- all except her.
*
After all the fires were put out and it was dark near the secret door, Rachel went out. Anna and Catherin set aside their need to go out and walked to the Keep to pray for her safety instead. Kevin began to walk the paths for some much needed exercise, while Justin sat down at the table in his darkened cottage, and Connor took up a position on the inside of the wall to wait. It would be another very long night.