Free Midnight for Morgana by Shirley Martin

sister, this woman who had found a husband before her or Nola. Fury burned inside her, strong and deep, and she knew Nola felt the same. Between the two of them, they had decided to kill Morgana, their reason for accompanying her to this ugly lodge. And to think their stupid sister believed that they wanted to help her. Gods, I hate her. I wish I could have killed her in the garden.  She and Nola must be patient, for surely their chance would come soon to do away with Morgana. She fisted her hands, wishing she could strangle the woman. But how would they accomplish the deed?  Her stomach knotted as she seethed with jealousy and vengeance. She forced herself to be patient, to wait for the right time to kill their hated sister.
     
     
     
     
     
    * * *
     
     
     
    Leaving by the front door, Nola didn’t see Morgana return from the garden through the back door. I hate her, she fumed, this no good sister now wed to a prince. Off in the distance, she saw someone–Morgana?–standing by the cliffs, staring out to the ocean. Silently, she moved along the path, seeing that yes, it was Morgana. She recognized the bitch’s cloak whipping in the wind. As she moved closer, loathing and jealousy swelled inside her, ready to erupt. Now was her chance! Morgana had her back to her, and if she–Nola–approached slowly but quietly, one hard shove would send her to her death.
     
    One step, then another. Now! Nola rushed forward and shoved with all her might. Screaming, her sister plunged down the cliff, her body hitting the rocks, then toppling into the ocean.
     
    Nola breathed deeply, smiling with venomous satisfaction. There!  It was done! Just wait ‘til she told Alana that their reviled sister was dead. They wouldn’t have to put up with Morgana anymore.
     
    And where was Alana? she wondered as she headed back to the lodge. She hadn’t seen her since breakfast but assumed she must have gone for a walk. Well, no matter. Soon enough, she’d tell Alana that their sister was dead.
     
    Reaching the house, she opened the front door and saw the prince with a woman in his arms.
     
    Gods, no! Morgana!
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
     
     
    Morgana drew away from her husband’s arms. “Where is our sister Alana? I haven’t seen her since I worked in the garden. She tore her cloak on a bush so I lent her mine.”
     
    A stricken look crossed Nola’s face. “A . . . a messenger came to say that our father was taken ill, so she left for home to tend to him.”
     
    “What messenger? I never saw a messenger.” Morgana exchanged a worried look with Keir.
     
    “Nola met him on the road that connects with our path. He carried a message from Lady Ahearn who wrote that Papa was ill.”
     
    Morgana sank onto the sofa, trying to take all this in. Keir joined her and placed a comforting arm around her waist. “Then we should all leave for home,” she said, “if Papa is sick.”  She looked up at Nola. “What is the nature of his illness, did the message say?”
     
    Nola hesitated, increasing Morgana’s worries. “Nothing serious, I understand, but Alana thought it best to go home to take care of him.”
     
    Uneasiness stirred inside Morgana. “Without telling us first? Leaving for home, just like that?”
     
    “Well, she told me.”  Nola drew herself up straight, appearing more confident now. “She asked me to tell you and the prince. At the time, the prince was hunting, and you were working in the garden. She didn’t see the need to make a big fuss over it.”
     
    Keir glanced up. “But all the horses are stalled. I would have noticed if one was missing when Ferris and I returned from hunting.”
     
    “Oh! Would you believe that a man and his wife were driving by in their carriage just then. They offered to take her with them since they were going to Dornach. Our sister didn’t want to ride alone, and, as they were leaving then, she departed at the same time.”
     
    Morgana exchanged another