Read Online Shadow Music by Julie Garwood - Free Book Online

stayed with the horses while Stephen and Christien, carrying Liam, followed Gabrielle and the priest into the abbey. The corridor he led them down was dark, narrow, and smelled like the inside of a wet cave. All the doors were of dry splintered wood in arched frames. Father nodded to one as he rushed past and said, “That’s my room.”
    He stopped in front of the next door, gently rapped on it with his knuckles to make certain it was still unoccupied, and then lifted the latch. He pushed the door, stepped inside, and held it open for them.
    The room was tiny, with a small window set high above a wooden pallet that served as a bed. A gray wool blanket covered the straw mattress. A stool and a small chest were the room’s only other pieces of furniture. A water bowl and pitcher flanked by two candles sat on top of the chest.
    “Put him on the bed. Gently now,” the priest said. “Let him sleep on his side so his back…good Lord, his poor back…” He took a breath and slowly let it out. “I believe Father Franklin is at vespers. I’ll tell him to bring his medicines. When I come back, I’ll fetch my stole and oils and give Liam MacHugh the last rites.”
    Gabrielle protested. “But that sacrament is only for those who are dying.”
    “Can you tell me he isn’t dying?”
    She bowed her head. “Nay, I cannot.”
    “Then he must have the sacrament of Extreme Unction so that he can go to heaven unblemished.” He turned to leave, but Christien stepped in front of the door, blocking his exit.
    “Father, it would be for the better if no one knew how this man came to be here.”
    “Then I must first know if any of you had anything to do with his injuries. It’s a foul question, but I must have an answer.”

    “He was in this condition when we came upon him,” Christien told him.
    “I thought as much, for why else would you carry such a burden?” the priest returned. “I promise you I won’t be saying a word to anyone about Laird MacHugh’s brother, but I would like to know what happened.”
    “Will you keep our confidence as well?” Christien asked. “It would be for the better if you don’t know who we are.”
    The priest shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. The second I saw this beautiful lady I knew who she was. There have been whispers of her coming for weeks now.” He turned to her and bowed low. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Gabrielle. Have no worries, for if I am introduced to you in the future, I will be pleased to meet you then as though for the first time. Your secrets are safe with me.”
    “Thank you, Father,” she said, but she doubted he heard her, for he had already rushed out of the room.
    “It’s time for you to leave, Princess,” Stephen said.
    Christien nodded agreement. “Aye, it’s time.”
    The two guards looked worried, and she was sorry to disappoint them.
    “I cannot leave him just yet. He’s too vulnerable. Someone must watch over him while he is in this weakened state. Before I go, I must be certain that he is in capable hands and that he has the proper medicines.”
    She wouldn’t be swayed. The argument that Father Franklin would be one more man they would have to trust to keep their confidence wasn’t valid in her opinion. Father Franklin was also a man of God and would not break the promise they would get from him.
    “The more people who know, the better the chance of the trail leading back to the man you killed…” Stephen began.
    “This man’s life is more important.”
    “We cannot agree, Princess,” Christien said, “but we will do your bidding.” Liam still hadn’t opened his eyes or made any sounds at all, not even a groan when Father Franklin, who Gabrielle had to admit was quite capable, sewed his skin together. He’d wanted to forgo the stitches and sear the wound with a hot poker, but she wouldn’t allow it. There seemed no need since the bleeding had stopped at last. There was another reason. Though she doubted