Page 26 of Dancing On Air

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Tom, the butcher gives me meat scraps to make stew and soup for the orphans.”

“I won’t take food out of the mouths of orphans.”

“The only orphans left at the abbey are Lena and Margaret who are two and four years old. They don’t eat much. Besides, neither of them even like meat. So take it. Please.”

“All right,” he finally agreed, nodding, feeling so choked up that he could barely speak. Damn it, he felt so pathetic and worthless. At one time he had promised to take care of Eleanor. To be her provider as soon as they were married. My, how the tides had changed. Now she was the one taking care of him instead. This is not the way things were supposed to be.

It started to rain just as they reached the outskirts of the abbey.

“I’ll get out here so no one sees me riding with you.” Connor climbed out, sticking the package of meat under his arm.

“Don’t forget the apples,” she told him.

“Thank you. Again.” He took the bushel of apples as well.

“Now you’ll have to walk home in the rain. Won’t you let me give you a ride?”

“Nay. It’s not safe for you to travel alone. Besides, I don’t want you getting wet. It’s bad enough that your shoe is already ruined with mud.” He turned to leave, carrying the bushel of apples.

“Connor, wait,” she called out, causing him to turn around.

“What is it?” he asked her.

“I-I’m sorry for saying all those horrible things about you at the hanging. I know you really didn’t want to kill that man, but had to do it.”

“I told you, Eleanor, I didn’t kill that thief. If it were up to me, I would have stopped the hanging altogether. My father wants me to start executing the prisoners, but I refuse to do so. He trapped my hand under his and pulled the lever.”

“Oh, I see.” Her hazel eyes looked wet, and it wasn’t from the rain this time. She blinked away a tear. “So you haven’t killed anyone? Not yet?”

“Nay,” he told her. “But I do assist with the executions, but only to make it easier on my father. However, that might all change soon. My father is sick and I believe he is dying.”

“It’s not too late,” said Eleanor. “Let me talk to my father. He has connections with the King. Mayhap he can get you out of this horrible position.”

“Nay, don’t even mention you saw or talked with me—it’ll only mean trouble for you, Eleanor. That is the last thing I want.”

“I’m not afraid of trouble. I want to do this to help you.”

“It’s too late, sweetheart. My fate was sealed the day my father took the deal, and there is nothing anyone can do to change the fact that I will be the next hangman, whether I like it or not.”