Page 9 of Deception

“Of course, I had to come. I am so pleased.” She returned her attention to Linnae.

“I hope they treated ye well at the abbey.”

Abbey? Her heart skipped a beat. She knew.

Lady Innis frowned. “Is something amiss?”

Jacob grasped her hand and gently squeezed. Of course, Lady Innis referred to Clovina Abbey where Lady Alison had lived until she was thirteen, not Glenwood Abbey where Linnae had lived.

“Aye,” she said. “The sisters were very kind.”

“What did they teach ye?”

“Oh, well, philosophy and Latin.”

“Philosophy?” she repeated in surprise and Linnae realized her mistake. What woman studied philosophy? She’d studied a bit with her one real friend at the abbey, Helena.

“Alison, I am surprised you didnae wear your grandmother’s ruby necklace,” Lady Innis said. “Or are you waiting to wear it for your wedding? Of course,” she added, “that’s it. I cannae wait to see it.”

Linnae glimpsed Jacob’s frown an instant before another woman began climbing the steps to the dais.

“Of course, Sophie would come,” Lady Innis said under her breath. She leaned close to Linnae and said, “The moment she heard I was coming to welcome you home, she had to come, as well.”

Sophie approached them.

“Sophie,” Lady Innis said in a sickeningly sweet voice. “What a surprise to see you here.”

Sophie shot her a haughty look. “Of course, I would come.”

Linnae cast Jacob a pleading look, but he shrugged. She caught the laughter in his eyes and gave him a narrow-eyed look that conveyed her wish to box his ears.

Sophie grasped Linnae’s shoulders and pulled her into a hug. She hadn’t been hugged so much in her life. “I hope I am the first to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage.”

Linnae jerked back as Lady Innis squealed with delight.

“Alison, you must have a thousand things to do,” Lady Innis said. “Sophie, you and I must help her prepare.”

Linnae’s head spun. “If ye will excuse me, I am tired. Thank ye for coming.” She brushed past the women.

“What—but wait,” Innis called.

“Alison,” Sophie cried. “See what you have done, Innis?”

“Forgive her, ladies,” Jacob said. “Her carriage was attacked on the way here and she lost friends.”

“Holy Mother,” Lady Innis cried, and Linnae heard no more as she reached the steps and hurried down