The Lost Lady Page 5

Lady Emmalyn rose to her feet, as the bell from the abbey tolled the hour. “Town is not so pleasant a place, youngling. It is full up of people, foul air, and foul tempers, and yet it can be a magical place. Men come from across the sea to speak with the King, merchants from distant shores sell their wares. You will never see so many colors of fabrics in your life, nor so many different people to match them. But enough of that now, it is time for bed. Off with you!” She waved them away.

  Gregori rose and bowed to the women wishing them a good night. Emmalyn stopped to talk to Agnes before she too headed off to bed. Luveday went to sleep imagining herself lost in a ballroom full of brightly garbed men and women, dressed to the nines, and dancing in a kaleidoscope of color. She looked for a familiar figure but could never catch more than a glimpse of a tall and masculine retreating form, though she tried all night.

  Chapter 2

  Measure not the work until the day’s out and the labor done…

  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

  The days formed a routine. Luveday was up a little after dawn and worked beside Elli and Lady Emmalyn to make the castle more hospitable. Though they seemed to make little headway, they persevered. A few more women had arrived to work at the castle having heard of the ladies’ diligence, but there was still so much to be done. Over a fortnight had passed since her arrival when Luveday learned of Lady Christabel’s departure.

  Mistress Adela stuttered as she handed off a small trunk waiting to go on the wagon. “My Lady has an old acquaintance at the Abbey, within the Cloister of the Heavenly Maiden. A fortnight is not so long a stay.”

  It was clear to Luveday that Mistress Adela was making more excuses for her lady. The woman looked as if she thought leaving now was a foolish idea, and yet was helpless to change the girl’s mind. Over the last few days, Christabel had shown herself to be a gracious lady one moment and a spoiled brat the next. She was a lady who had obviously always gotten her way. When the women could not provide what Christabel asked for it was up to Mistress Adela, and more recently Luveday, to shield the others from the young woman’s temper.

  “The journey is not long,” The Mistress continued as a large trunk was removed from the hall. “We will be there this afternoon.”

  Luveday watched as all of the pair’s possessions were carted downstairs then loaded onto their wagon. For a short journey and a quick visit, was it not odd that they took everything with them? Luveday had nothing to say on the matter; it wasn’t her place.

  Elli was upset for Lady Emmalyn as they waved farewell to the departing women with all the fanfare Christabel believed she deserved. Elli’s smile did not last as long as some of the other women who were, in fact, happy to see the lady go, if only for a few days respite. “Took everything.” Elysant huffed as she picked up her skirts and marched back into the keep. “As if we’d take something of hers when she left it behind.”

  “Now, Elli…” Lady Emmalyn tried to placate the girl’s temper, even if she secretly agreed with her pique. “I am sure Lady Christabel meant no insult. She is not used to a strange place like this, and perhaps she will dine with fine lords at the Abbey. You know they often stop there to take a night’s rest and visit the Mother Superior.” Emmalyn’s voice dropped, and Luveday got the impression that the Lady did not like the Head of the Cloister of the Heavenly Maiden. “The fine ladies there will be better company than we three, and with the Lady absent we can focus on what needs to be done.” Emmalyn finished matter-of-factly.

  “You mean instead of taking care of her every whim!” Elli was not going to let go of her anger just yet. “Emmalyn, you did not hear what the Lady said to Luveday before she left.”

  All eyes turned to Luveday who was clearing the morning tea off the table before the hearth. She looked up startled by the sudden attention and a little guilty. She knew exactly what Elli was talking about. The List. Luveday had hoped to wait and discuss it with Lady Emmalyn before anyone else got wind of it. Obviously, she was not going to be so lucky.

  “And what did the lady say to you, Luveday?” But she didn’t get the opportunity to answer Emmalyn’s solemn inquiry; Elli did it for her.

  The young woman was building up to being irate. “She left Luveday with a list! A list of chores! What did she say…?” Elli’s face turned sour. “Yes, I remember. As the future lady of the keep, she should see that these things be done before her return. As if we didn’t know what needs to be done!” Elli took the tray of tea items out of Luveday’s hands and stormed off to the kitchen muttering to herself all the way.

  Luveday had never seen the cheerful girl so upset, especially on behalf of another. She hoped Elli would calm down somewhere between the kitchen and coming back.

  Emmalyn shooed the women away and gestured for Luveday to take a seat. The deep and weary sigh that escaped the lady as she sat down reminded Luveday that Emmalyn was under a good deal of pressure at the moment. “I am sorry that the lady has burdened you with so much, Luveday.”

  Protesting Luveday countered, “It is not so much, and the lady is very lonely.”

  Emmalyn nodded. “Elli is right to be so upset; it is not a good sign that Lady Christabel did not stay. That she took everything with her and doesn’t trust us to look after her belongings, is even worse. The women will be hard to handle after that. And yet Lady Christabel is in her rights as well. She will be the lady of Lander’s Keep; she is its lady in everything, but name, now. The betrothal is sealed.” Emmalyn mumbled to herself, but Luveday was able to catch the words. “What was that boy thinking.” A delicate hand raised to rub her brow. “We will get someone to read the list. Sir Gregori is good with letters; perhaps he would be so kind…”

  Luveday pulled the roll of parchment from a pocket and looked at the list. She was not sure if the lady or Mistress Adela had penned the lines there, but the handwriting was a little better than chicken scratches. Luckily, Luveday’s boss had horrible penmanship as well and deciphering the words had only taken her a few moments. It was not a list as Luveday would describe one, there were no numbers or neat rows, and it was more like a paragraph of short, misspelled items. Unfortunately, the items on the list were rather, well, selfish. Not that Luveday should have expected more from Christabel, though for some reason, she had. “The lady doesn’t want anything too extravagant, though where we are to find most of these food items I haven’t the foggiest. Perhaps the Boar’s Head might have something. Otherwise, it is mostly chores like airing her mattress, sweeping her room, stitching new cushions for her chair and what not.” Looking up, she found Emmalyn looking at her with a strange expression.

  “You can read the list?” She asked quietly.

  It never crossed Luveday’s mind that the ability to read was something she should perhaps keep to herself. “Of course, though the handwriting is very poor.” Luveday smiled at the older woman and was confused by the lopsided smile she was given in return until it bloomed into a full-fledged grin. Something flashed in the other woman’s eyes, and Luveday got the feeling that something was about to change…

  Luveday addressed the women in Lady Emmalyn’s absence. The two had planned the next few days well, and God willing, much would get done to repair the rift between the castle and their lord. With all of the calm she could muster, Luveday gave the women their marching orders. Emmalyn had given her full discretion as she left to join Lady Christabel at the Abbey. The elder woman’s trip was not to visit, but to procure some of the goods left behind by the women who joined the cloister and gave up their earthly possessions. Mother Superior got the pick of the best items to furnish her sitting rooms, but the rest went into storage. Over the years of neglect, the keep was stripped of most of its furnishings, and it was in dire need of sprucing up. Emmalyn hoped she could negotiate a fair trade from her old nemesis, Mary Odilia, now Mother Superior, while Luveday managed the work on the keep.

  A letter had arrived the night before, accompanied by a small band of men. The King had sent masons and three wagons of supplies to he
lp repair the weathering stones of Lander’s Keep. A nearby query would provide the necessary raw materials.

  “Good morning to you all.” Luveday looked around at the expectant faces; even a few men had gathered to see what was going on. “As Lady Emmalyn departed this morning, she has news from the Lord De Lane and Lady Christabel, the future Lady of Lander’s Keep.” There were mumbles and some groans but mostly looks of interest. “The castle is in need of your help.” More mumbling, Luveday took a deep breath and pushed on. She hoped to appeal to their pride in their home and wondered if it would help to cancel out their hostility to their lord. Perhaps they might even take pity on him. She realized this was a bit of underhanded manipulation, but whatever would get the job done. “Lord De Lane is to be married before fall, and the celebration is to be here. As the King’s Champion it wouldn’t be farfetched to think we might be graced with a royal guest!” Now there was some excitement in the group. “We must work hard and diligently to make sure the castle and village are ready for such a visit.” The excitement dimmed as they looked around at their few numbers. “I know how hard you all have worked, day in and day out, and you are right, there is not enough of us to meet this task.” No one interrupted her, but Luveday paused to take a deep breath. “So, Lady Christabel has offered this promise to you, her future people.” Luveday briefly wondered if they could tell she was lying through her teeth. “Should the village rise to help their lord in this time of need, she too will help the village. One week of labor in the castle and the lady has said that the village will get the help it needs to repair the cottages and to build a village garden to rival what the castle once was. The daily meals will be prepared here at the castle for those who work. All are called to come.” There was some more mumbling, and many turned away for quickly whispered conversation to their fellow women.

  “Anyone may come and help clean the castle, and will be fed?” Henna asked warily.

  “Anyone old enough to work will be fed for their efforts, and once the week is done, the village will be repaired as well. All in preparation for the coming wedding.” Luveday replied and was happy to see that the women were pleased. So, she continued. “Your men may take a break from their fields. I ask only that you give a full day’s work. We have much to do, and summer is nearly upon us. We start with the first bell tomorrow morning.”

  Agnes nodded at her as the women disbanded and went back to their tasks. Elli was excited and chatted with Gregori as they watched the women go. Gregori turned to her, a twinkle in his eyes. “A fine speech to rally the troops, Lady Luveday.” The knight observed.

  “I hope so, Sir Gregori. I hope the castle is teeming with people tomorrow.” Luveday joined them by the large doors near the bottom of the staircase. “Is there any news of the missing mason?”

  The knight’s expression darkened. The Lord’s letter had said a good deal more than Gregori had imparted to the ladies. One of the more interesting bits of news was that the King’s masons were to join a head mason already in residence. It appeared that he had been sent to them before the last steward had disappeared. From the sound of it, Lord Iain believed the man had been hard at work since he arrived several months ago. The only problem was that none of them had seen heads nor tails of a mason, especially not a master builder. Gregori had been angry ever since he had read the news, taking it as yet another betrayal of his friend’s trust. He had spent most of the morning trying to track down the man’s whereabouts. Sir Gareth, a friend, and trusted knight swore he had delivered the mason safe and sound in the hands of the steward himself; what happened after that was anyone’s guess.

  “I have yet to lay eyes on the man, but many remember a well-dressed young man who arrived around the time of Sir Gareth’s visit. He was last seen around the castle and village, but none remember much more of him. No work began on the walls, or we would not be in this state now.” Gregori looked out the open door to the group of masons unloading their tools and beginning to measure the task at hand. “The men are hesitant to start without a master to guide them. They were assured Master William Alexander would be present; many looked forward to working with him.” The knight’s voice dropped to a growl. Another reason for Gregori to dislike the steward.

  Elli, with her eternal optimism, smiled and offered a ray of hope. “I am sure you will find him, Sir Gregori, and tomorrow we return Lander’s Keep to its former beauty!” Then she promptly excused herself and left for the kitchens to check the mood of the women there. Both smiled as they watched her go.

  “I am sure Elysant is right.” Luveday turned back to look up at the tall knight. “Can the masons not start on the minor repairs without the master’s supervision? Surely there is something they can do until we find him…”

  Gregori nodded and squared his shoulders. “I will see what can be done. Good day, Lady.” And the knight was gone again. Luveday had gotten used to his brisk ways. It was not that he was a hard man, just rather quiet and to the point. He was educated, having spent his youth in a monastery, under the watchful eye of his elder brother. At some point, he had met the young lord of Lander’s Keep and decided to become a knight. He enjoyed reading, practicing his skills with a blade, was always chivalrous to the ladies regardless of station and had a great love for one pixyish young woman who ran around the castle. This love was not unrequited as Luveday was sure that Elysant was just as head-over-heels for him as he was for her, though they didn’t seem to see the longing looks they gave each other. Luveday shook her head and sighed. It was no use daydreaming about such things; the young couple would figure it out eventually; Lady Emmalyn would see to it if no one else did. Right now, there was work to be done.

  The next morning dawned clear and crisp. Breakfast was light and served from the fireplace in the great hall. Luveday spent the previous afternoon collecting tools, supplies, and information about what work needed to be done. The list seemed to grow ever longer. She knew a good deal of the work ahead because much of the repairs were obvious. Anyone could see the dirt in the hall, the garbage in the outer bailey, or the crumbling mortar on a few sections of the walls. It was the things she didn’t know to look for that were piling up; not to mention the repairs for the village and preparations for their garden. Luveday had thought it a generous and important gift that the villagers would take to heart. What better way to help them then by feeding them, providing for their future. Lady Emmalyn had thought it a good idea before she left, though neither really understood the scope of such a task. Now she almost wished she could take it back, but what else was there to offer in return?

  The morning had arrived. As Sir Gregori opened the keeps main doors, Luveday’s heart was filled with trepidation. She feared the courtyard would be empty, that the villagers had once and for all abandoned all hope in the keep. Almost afraid to look, Luveday took a deep breath and moved outside. Gregori had stopped in front of her, his massive frame blocking the courtyard from view. He stepped aside and turned to smile down at her. It was such a full, and joyous smile that she momentarily forgot about anything else until he turned back to the yard.

  Confused and curious, Luveday looked out too and was at a loss for words. The courtyard of the inner bailey was full of people. Young and old, men, women, and children. Suddenly, Elli was at her elbow holding on so tight she feared the girl might take off her arm. They grinned at each other like idiots, but they were too happy to care. The village had come.

  People looked on expectantly as Luveday moved forward to address the crowd. She introduced herself, thanked them for coming to her aid and split them into groups. She spoke, so her voice carried over the yard, and she spoke for so long her throat began to ache, but what she said she couldn’t remember. She had the feeling she did well, that her words reached the people, but she couldn’t have repeated it if her life depended on it. As she fielded more questions and set people to their tasks, first Elli, then Agnes was at her side telling her what a good job she had done. Luveday thanked them and kept organizing groups an
d handing out supplies.

  Children helped to scrub floors while men constructed a wooden scaffold to reach the highest and darkest corners of the Hall. The first day focused on the kitchen and great hall. Food was collected the night before, and cooking moved to the summer kitchen outdoors as women began scrubbing and polishing every surface of the massive kitchen. Luveday pitched in where she could, but was often stopped to answer someone’s questions. Did they need to move this or that? Did they need more help in this area? Did they have more rags, more lemon, and vinegar? Time flew by as they worked together with amiable chatter.

  As Luveday stopped scrubbing a particularly stubborn stain to answer another question, a man appeared at her elbow. She recognized one of the masons, as they had shared a few meals since their arrival, though she couldn’t remember his name. “My Lady, we need you in the yard if you are not too busy. We have some questions concerning the walls.”

  The blank look she gave him didn’t seem to bother him. Luveday sat down her rag and wiped her hands on her apron. Turning to Agnes who was in charge of her kitchen, Luveday didn’t even have to say anything. The woman waved her away saying, “We have it in hand, girl.” So, she followed the mason through the corridors and up the stairs and out the hall.

  The man continued, but Luveday stopped as a man leaning heavily against the wall yelled orders to the masons. They completely ignored him. “Not there you, fools! Shore up that scaffolding before you fall on your fat heads!” He tried to leave the stability of the wall, only to stagger and fall back to its steady support. “Bloody fools!” He spat.

  Stale ale and unwashed body, the odor radiating from him was enough to turn her stomach. He was drunk. When not yelling at the masons, his mumbling was slurred and rather coarse. Though rough looking, his speech was rather refined and Luveday puzzled at the man. His clothing looked as if it had been of fine quality at one time. Definitely above the common wardrobe, and he yelled at the masons as if he were a man used to being in charge. Luveday’s interest piqued though she couldn’t say what specifically had caught her attention. Had this man come only for the meal? Luveday was about to leave the steps and talk to the masons when she suddenly turned back to look at the drunkard.