The Next Morning
A light mist still hung over the gardens when a modest carriage arrived at the front gates of Williams Manor. The family's steward, half-dressed and bleary-eyed, blinked at the unexpected visitors—two elderly nuns in plain robes and, between them, Lady Rosalind.
He hurried to alert the master of the house.
Lord Williams was still seated in his study, unshaven and sour from a sleepless night, when the steward entered and bowed.
"My Lord… Lady Rosalind has returned. She is with two nuns."
Williams' eyes narrowed. He had heard from the king's messengers the previous day that she would return, but he hadn't expected it to be so early.
"So early?" he raised his brows.
"She says it was the monastery's decision."
