The Lost Lady Page 15

  As the night deepened, Luveday was hesitant to interrupt Lady Emmalyn when she was deep in conversation with the returned knight. If she wasn’t mistaken there was some history there, but Luveday wished to collect the items for her outing the next day, so she moved closer to the couple. “Lady Emmalyn?”

  Both looked up startled. Emmalyn blushed prettily, and Luveday was sure there was something between her and Fuller. “Yes, Lady Luveday?” She asked as the knight excused himself.

  Luveday was sorry to see him go. “I am accompanying Father Quinn tomorrow and was hoping you could suggest what to take with me?” It wasn’t really a statement, yet wasn’t really a question, but Emmalyn was happy to help.

  While she suggested salves and lotions for painful joints and gout, Emmalyn filled in some of the gaps in Luveday’s knowledge of the area. “Sir Chadric is the last of the Lander’s line. His family owned the land and built the foundations of the castle.”

  “Why is he not lord of Lander’s Keep and Iain is?” She asked in all seriousness.

  Emmalyn didn’t take offense and had grown used to Luveday’s many questions. “The land was gifted to Iain’s grandfather as part of his lands when he became Lord De Lane. It was he who finished the castle’s construction and let the Lander’s family keep the manor house in the woods. Sir Chadric was a young lad then. He is an old man now, and he and his wife are all that live in the house.” Emmalyn looked across the hall. “Young Paige was betrothed to their grandson, but the boy died of a fever shortly after the wedding. She takes care of them and works here at the keep. The Landers have no title, but for Sir Chadric’s knighthood, though they own a bit of land, they don’t have the strength to work it.” Luveday was beginning to see the problem. “It is sad when a good bloodline ends.”

  Luveday didn’t ask what happened to the children of Sir Chadric as it was clear they had passed on. She wondered how old the couple must be, and if they ventured far from their manor. It also explained Paige’s air of solitude that had only begun to be lifted by young Sir Perivale. Luveday would have never guessed that such sorrow had touched the young woman’s life. She was now eager to see the Manor, remembering how the masons had talked about the house. Tomorrow would be full of new things, and Luveday was eager to get going.

  The Manor was not a disappointment. It was a large two-story building that was surrounded by trees adding a foreboding quality to the gothic atmosphere. There was no lawn or open space that separated the structure from the woods. One moment they were walking down a dwindling road through the wood and the next the front door appeared out of the morning shadows. There were clear signs of neglect that were far worse than the state the castle had been in before Luveday arrived. It was clear that it had been a very long time since the house was properly cared for. It was sad, to say the least. Luveday longed for the funds and the help to rebuild such a magnificent old home, but she knew that it would never be possible. The masons had repaired enough that the house would last a few more years, but even they had said the manor would soon be uninhabitable. It would last long enough for Sir Chadric and his wife, but no longer.

  The great door was carved with magnificent detail, and Luveday strained to take it all in, but the light of mid-morning was not enough to penetrate the thick canopy overhead. She was surprised when the door swung open silently, and an old man with ghost white hair stood before them with a single candle in hand.

  The burning wax candle gave off a strange odor that was slightly unpleasant, though she thought it’s maker had tried to cover the smell with sage and other herbs. The mix would take some getting used to.

  “Sir Chadric, my friend!” Father Quinn was happy to see the old knight, and it was clear that the feelings were reciprocated. “How have you faired this spring?”

  “Father Quinn, good lad.” They embraced in a manly hug that Luveday found endearing. “This spring rain pains these old bones, but what’s a man to do?” He ushered them in, and Luveday noticed his awkward gait. “And who is this pretty lass?” He asked while smacking his lips on the back of her offered hand.

  “Behave yourself, old man.” Both men chuckled causing Luveday to smile at their antics. Sir Chadric was charming. “Sir Chadric, may I introduce, Lady Luveday. Lady, my old friend, Sir Chadric Lander.”

  “A pleasure lady.” He replied.

  Smiling at him, “The pleasure is mine, Sir Chadric.” Luveday noticed he stood a little straighter in her presence. The knight wore a tunic that was baggy on his slim frame and had seen better days, though it looked well cared for. His hose were also several sizes too large, they wrinkled around his knees before pooling at his boots. The leather boots shined, reflecting the candlelight and Luveday got the idea that Sir Chadric shined them himself.

  “Lady Luveday?” Sir Chadric looked at her curiously. She could tell he was trying to place the name. The light that came into his eyes made them twinkle madly. “Lady Luveday!” He chuckled. “You are the lady who sent the masons! The Lady who restored Lander’s Keep.” He laughed.

  There was a gasp as they turned to see a little woman enter through a side door. “What a pleasure you should come to visit us, Lady.”

  “Lady, this is Mistress Catherine, Sir Chadric’s wife of almost sixty annums.”

  The woman shook hands, while Catherine continued to tell her how nice it was to see her. Luveday was just as enchanted with Catherine as she was with Sir Chadric and said so. “As I said before, the pleasure is mine Mistress Catherine.”

  “Call me Cathy, My Lady.”

  “Only if you will call me Luveday.”

  “Luveday.” She smiled. “Such a lovely name, don’t you think, Chad? So lovely…” Her husband made a noise of agreement as the men began talking of news from the keep and farther abroad. Cathy ushered her guest through a series of rooms until they came to the back corner of the house where the kitchen was located. The kitchen had all the usual trappings but didn’t look as if it were what the room had originally been intended for. A house of this size surely had a larger area to cook in, probably outdoors somewhere judging by the age of the house.

  Luveday looked around at the dark wood walls, at the sunlight streaming in glass pained windows and wondered at it all. Clearly, the room had been repurposed for the couple’s needs, but why did it look as if they lived in only a few rooms. Were they too old to climb the grand staircase she had only gotten a glimpse in the gloomy darkness that seemed to surround the estate? Or was there another reason?

  Cathy bustled around the kitchen chatting to Luveday who only half understood of whom she was talking about. Cathy had much to say about the masons and praised Lady Emmalyn no end. Luveday mostly sat and listened.

  When it looked as if the woman had finally run out of things to say, Luveday brought up the basket she had sat at her feet and began fishing out the items she had brought. It was a large and heavy basket, but she was now glad she had decided to sneak in some extras for the elder couple.

  “I’ve brought some ointments, and a few other things for you, Cathy.”

  “Oh, you shouldn’t have, Luveday.” But her tone was more excited than reprimanding.

  While Luveday had no doubt that Cathy had a stubborn streak that kept the woman going, she could see that her new friend was grateful for any help she received. Luveday could only imagine how hard it was for them with no one to help. Paige, the quiet mouse of a girl that worked in the castle, divided her evenings between the keep and the manor house. She was the only person who saw the couple regularly, and from all accounts, Cathy treated the girl as her own granddaughter, though the tragic marriage had lasted only a few short months.

  Setting out the items she had acquired, there was a noise of appreciation and delight at the table became crowded with her bounty. Luveday had grabbed a fresh loaf of bread, a pot of honey, and one of the preserves. There was some salted pork and some fresh herbs from the kitchen. In the bottom of the basket were a few jars of ointments that the woman recognized and used immed
iately on her hands and knees. Luveday only smiled as Cathy pulled up her skirts to rub the ointment in without so much as a by your leave. Clearly, the woman had been in some pain.

  While Cathy thanked her profusely, Luveday hung the herbs up to dry in a spot in the kitchen. She set the meat and loaf on a worktable that looked as old as the house.

  Once the items were put away, Luveday explained the use of some of the things she had brought that Cathy didn’t recognize. Holding out a small pouch of herbs she explained that it was meant to be brewed like tea. “This is for aches and pains, especially when it is cold or rainy. I heard Sir Chadric had trouble with his joints in that weather.” She cautioned. “You want to brew this in water and remove the herbs before you drink it. Don’t drink more than a small pot a day, between you. It can have some unpleasant effects if you have too much of it for too long.”

  “How wonderful. You said it will help with his knees then?” Cathy examined the herb more closely.

  “Yes, it will do better than the ointment, but only in small amounts. Too much can be a bad thing.”

  “Everything in moderation, dear.” Cathy smiled at herself as she rearranged some items on the tabletop they now set around.

  Luveday was startled by so modern an attitude, and for a moment heard the echo of her mother’s voice who often used the sentiment. It was a bittersweet moment that caused her to smile sadly. “Yes, just so, Cathy.”

  A moment later the men joined them from another part of the house and Cathy was happy to show her husband the gifts they had received. He was more eager to hear about the ointments then the honey and bread, though clearly grateful for everything.

  While the little couple chatted back and forth, Luveday caught Father Quinn giving her a smile. When she turned to look at him, he merely nodded his head, as if he approved and turned back to the couple.

  There was a door that led out to the back of the house which had a space behind it that was cleared of trees and a small garden that Cathy and Chadric tended daily. The knight asked Father Quinn something that Luveday didn’t quite catch, and the two moved out the door while she and Cathy followed behind.

  The lady could tell that Cathy moved better since applying the ointment, but Luveday offered her arm as it looked as if the older woman could use some assistance.

  They walked around the raised beds, and Luveday recognized Father Quinn’s handiwork in almost every aspect of the garden. Cathy moved them away from the men to show her something, and they spent some time chatting about nothing in particular and working in the garden.

  The women later retired to the kitchen where Luveday helped with the mid-day meal and prepared a stew Mistress Agnes had taught her to which Cathy exclaimed in delight. The group had a small lunch and said their farewells while promising to visit each other again soon. Father Quinn didn’t speak much on the walk back to the castle, but Luveday told him she had not had so pleasant a morning for some time. The priest was secretly pleased with Luveday and thought he might have just found another protector for the old couple. Both were very happy they had made the journey, very happy indeed.

  Chapter 6

  Experience, like a pale musician, holds a dulcimer of patience in his hand.

  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

  Summer had settled in, and the warm weather was not too hot, though at times, Luveday longed for a fan or air-conditioner, but not more than she longed for running hot water and a shower. Using the common bath wasn’t something she was interested in and a lot of work. Life was routine, hard work, and yet so much more fulfilling than she remembered her previous life being. Luveday often thought of her family and friends, the life she had worked hard to build and been pulled so suddenly from. She was not sure if she hoped or dreaded the thought of her return. She was not that woman anymore and often pondered just how unsuited to her old life she had become. Would she go home if the opportunity arose? What if this was some cosmic second chance, and her other life gone forever? Was that such a bad thing?

  As she worked beside Cassandra and Lady Emmalyn she thought that it was not such a terrible thing. She had been blessed every step of this odd journey, and she realized with sudden clarity that she could live the rest of her life here and be happy.

  The only dark spot in her life, Luveday was slow to admit, was Lady Christabel, but the young woman was an unfortunate obstruction in the life of the castle. Luveday could see that the Lady was more miserable the closer the wedding date approached and while she could, in some ways, empathize with the girl, Luveday saw no reason why Christabel would want to make other people’s lives as miserable as her own. Yet, every day proved another challenge for the bride to be.

  The castle only breathed a sigh of relief on the occasions that the Lady chose to spend a day or two at the Abbey. Though there was no repeats of the previous entrenchment, a few thought the lady might never return, and many were disappointed when that did not prove so.

  Luveday thought that at this point even Lord Iain was happy to see her go, though he occupied most of his time out of doors to see to the repair of his lands, with the added benefit that it let him escape the women in his life. There was nothing he could do to fix the rift in his household, short of sending the girl away, and everyone knew that that would not happen otherwise he would have done so already.

  Luckily, the bride-to-be was currently at the Abbey for a few days, accompanied by her maid and astonishingly, by Lady Emmalyn. An invitation had arrived from the Mother Superior on behalf of her guests, that invited the women for a visit of several days. While Luveday missed her mentor and friend, she was sure the lady would have fun visiting an old friend, a border lord of some renown. Father Quinn had accompanied them, expecting some traveler to the inn who carried something from town at the priest’s behest. The castle was strangely empty without them.

  All in all, it was rather quiet, at least that was what everyone thought until Sir Warin and Gus arrived frantic at the keep’s door.

  Benedict, Iain, Gregori, Luveday, and Elysant sat before the fire. Benedict had just commented on the blessed quiet when the great doors had flown open. It was on the tip of Luveday’s tongue to reprimand the Lordling for saying such a thing, but obviously, she was too late.

  The stable boy looked white as a ghost, and the knight had trouble catching his breath as they approached the group. The men were on their feet and one look at Warin whose eyes never left Luveday, were enough to tell her that something serious had happened. Gus had brought word earlier in the evening that Cassandra was helping Archer’s wife, Clair, deliver her first child. Childbirth was part miracle, part death sentence in this time-period. Cassandra had been with the young woman most of the day, and Warin had been happy that his wife was free enough to send the missive. It looked like the situation had changed.

  Luveday turned to Elli and the serving women issuing orders before she even realized what she was saying. Women rushed off in several directions as Luveday ran from the hall to grab the needed items from the healing shack.

  This was the third ‘natural’ birth Luveday would attend, the first being the birth of her second niece, Seraphina. Her sister, Annalisa was set on having a natural, at home, at birth. It had been an eye-opening experience for all of them, especially Annalisa who learned that she wasn’t ready to go all natural in every sense of the word. Luveday could still hear her curse Mark and swear she was going to a hospital and getting drugs if she had to walk there herself. Yep, it was quite a memorable experience for everyone, even Luveday who was guilted into being present by the fact that she had been by her sister’s side for her first birth. The second delivery was more recent; a woman at the Abbey who had given birth while traveling home to her mother’s family. Luveday had watched her mentors at the Abbey and listened carefully as Cassandra and Emmalyn explained why each step was necessary. The Abbey had called on the local women to help with the delivery as most of the cloister could not stand to watch the woman’s pain nor handle the body’s process of givi
ng birth. Luveday had always been fascinated by the way the body changed to make another life. She was not surprised that the blood and other nastiness didn’t really faze her, it was just something that happened for the baby to be born.

  As she ran, she mentally reviewed everything that she had been taught and prayed that Cassandra would be alright until she arrived. She prayed that she could be of some help, though she knew the situation was out of her hands.

  Elli met her as she returned to the hall and handed over her cloak and some more linens to Gregori who looked like he would be accompanying them. “Here, put this on, there’s a chill out. Lord Iain’s horse is already saddled and will be carrying you to Archer’s cottage. They are readying, Sir Gregori’s horse and he will follow.” They talked as they walked until they came to Lord Iain who was already mounted on his steed. Gregori handed her up with no more than a nod to Luveday, but the overall atmosphere fit with this brisk mood.

  Elli was staying behind, Luveday barely caught her wishes of good luck as De Lane spurred his mount forward. Luveday clutched her bag and the arm Iain had wrapped around her middle as she rode sideways. She didn’t have time to complain, as all her thoughts were on what lay ahead.

  The night was quiet and the moon bright enough to see by, though she thought that Iain would know the way blindfolded. They came to the cottage swiftly though it felt like forever since Warin and Gus had arrived to ask for aid.

  Luveday slid to the ground with Iain’s assistance and didn’t stop moving but ran for the door of the little house. She paused less than a heartbeat as a scream rent the air. The door to the cottage was thrown open as Archer looked out at her with haunted eyes. He didn’t say anything, just looked at her and moved out of the way. Luveday entered, and the man-at-arms stepped outside to talk a moment with his lord, and perhaps to distance himself for only a few minutes.