Hasil (
Bahasa Indonesia) 1:
[Salinan]Disalin!
Fiona went back to the entrance of her chamber and peeked out. Seeing no one in the dim hallway, she closed the door and returned to Margaret’s side.“I know this makes little sense, and I’m sorry to burden you with it so quickly, but our brothers are plotting something. Have you heard of their plans?” Fiona asked.Margaret’s smiled dimmed. “Plotting? No, but they seem to be training often. And John has been gone for weeks.”Fiona nodded. Her anxiety grew as she noticed the golden glow of a waning sun. She tugged her sister toward the door. “Come with me to find Genevieve. I will tell you both an amazing tale once we are all together. But, Margaret, this is not for Simon’s ears. He is planning something most heinous, and it is up to us to stop him.”“Stop him? How?” Marg’s feet skidded on the floor. Fiona had forgotten her sister’s persistence, but for once, the girl would simply have to wait. She tugged her toward the door.“Patience, Margaret. Please, just trust me and do as I say. Understand?”Margaret nodded and followed, but reluctance marred her pretty face.Fiona opened the door and stepped into the corridor, glad it was still empty. They made their way through the hall and toward the kitchen. All about them, Sinclairs moved in and out, attending to their daily chores. Another ordinary day, just as her wedding day had been.The sisters reached the kitchen in a matter of moments.“Do you see her?” Fiona whispered.“There”—Margaret pointed discreetly—“that one is Genevieve.”Fiona recognized her, the lovely widow whose husband had been lost in a raid last year. She’d come to Sinclair Hall just months before Fiona had left. But when the girl turned, Fiona gasped. She was petite as a pixie, yet there was no mistaking the rounded curve of her abdomen. Fiona’s hands went to her own belly in solidarity, for Genevieve was clearly with child, yet John had said nothing. Leave it to a man to omit such a detail.There were few others in the kitchen. Still, discretion was necessary. She and Margaret wound their way closer, as if they had no specific aim, but when Genevieve looked up and saw them, she stepped back from her task in apparent surprise.“Lady Fiona.”What a beauty this Genevieve was. No wonder John’s eyes had gleamed with adoration when he spoke of her. Fiona smiled, hoping the girl would see an offer of friendship in the gesture.“Are you Genevieve?” she asked, just to make certain.“I am, my lady.” She curtsied and tried to brush the flour from her apron without success.“I have need of you. You must come at once.”Genevieve’s eyes rounded.Fiona leaned forward, casting a glance over shoulder to make sure none of the others might hear. “I have word from John,” she whispered. “Have no fear.”Walking fast, the three women reached the chapel, and Fiona nearly collapsed in relief at having not encountered Simon on the way. Inside, the building was dim and stank of old rushes and tallow. She was struck by the contrast, for the loving care with which the Campbell servants bestowed upon their place of worship showed. No such dedication was lavished upon this sad little spot. Perhaps ’twas why God never visited here.Fiona peered around, shivering at the thought they might yet encounter Father Bettney. Time away had not mellowed her dislike of him. Fortune prevailed, for he was nowhere to be seen.“What is this about, Fiona?” Marg said, crossing her arms. It seemed she had been patient long enough.“Come and kneel with me. If Father Bettney enters, I would have him think we pray. I must explain things to you quickly,” Fiona instructed. They walked toward the altar, and she lowered to a kneeling bench between the other two. She looked to the mullioned window to gauge the setting sun and knew her words must be swift and persuasive.As quickly as she could, Fiona whispered the details of Simon’s plan and John’s change of heart. She spared nothing, for if each knew the whole of the situation, they could take her place in case she somehow failed.“John is safe and near?” Genevieve whispered, her eyes glimmering with tears.Fiona nodded. “He is most anxious to see you.”The servant’s taut face relaxed a bit, though tension still radiated from her being and the hand rounded over her belly.Unbidden, Fiona did the same, as if to make certain her own babe was safe.Genevieve saw the motion and smiled. “You too, my lady?”Fiona nodded, but Margaret paid no heed, still rattled by the other news.“I do not understand,” she said. “John has been a Campbell all this time? And now he means to betray us? We are still his family.”Her voice trembled, and Fiona clasped her hand.“We are John’s family, Marg. And Simon’s too. I would do anything to change this if I could, but our brothers have put themselves on opposite sides of the crown. One of them will lose. There is no avoiding that fact now. I side with John, not only because his way is more certain to keep our clan safe, but also because he is on the side of right.
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