The Lost Lady Read online

“That is what I wish to ask you.” The women gathered around her looked confused. “While the men work on the stones, is there anything else you wish to do?” With her look of confusion, Luveday saw she had to elaborate. “Do you need linens washed, or floors swept?”

  The women got the hint. “Oh, Lady we couldn’t…” They exclaimed.

  “What better time, then when we are all here to help?” The women stopped a moment and then smiled at her.

  And that was how it began. Soon women were in and out of every cottage. Wash-pots were out, and laundry lines were strung between buildings. Groups of women cleaned each cottage after the masons and thatchers finished making their mess. Luveday worked beside them, learning more about these people. She could not help her growing feelings, the sense of belonging and as if her life here made a difference. Looking around at the little houses and laughing families she could not help but miss her own. The busy, noisy mess that had been family get togethers. The familiar smell of the house she grew up in. This place was nothing like it, yet as she looked around, she couldn’t help the way the laughter and comradery seemed to ease the sharper pangs of loss. Home was where the heart is. She thought, watching Warren tease and flirt with his wife. Ellie and Gregori stood, heads bent together talking intimately over garden beds and flower clippings. The pain in her heart sharpened for a moment. Was this her future? How was she to bare going home, and not miss them, or stay and long for the other? Someone called her name, and she pushed her own feelings aside. As always, there was work to be done, and nothing quieted her inner doubts like hard work.

  Days passed, and the garden was already taking bloom in the spring sunshine. The little gardens were weeded, bushes and vines pruned, and the lanes raked and cleared. The cottages were whitewashed and almost finished by the time the campaign arrived.

  At first, Luveday thought Lady Emmalyn had returned there was such a commotion until she heard the pounding of a multitude of horses. Sir Gregori rushed out to see what the uproar was about, he had been helping to repair a roof and at the noise rushed back to his knightly duties. The castle gates lay open, and only two sentries manned the walls, but there was no reason to fear. The standards of the galloping horde bore the silver wolf of Lander’s Keep.

  Women and men flocked to the road excited as the horses rode on. Sir Gregori ran for the keep as if the hounds of hell were after him, in order to get there before his lord. Elli was excited, chattering beside Luveday and hanging off her right arm, but Luveday had a sudden chill slip down her spine. Fear left an unpleasant taste in her mouth.

  Lord Iain De Lane was an enigma, one she had hoped to face with Lady Emmalyn beside her. The man these people spoke of was in turns a charming youth and a battle-hardened champion. Sir Gregori told tales of his prowess on the battlefield, and the women whispered about his prowess in bed. Supposedly he was a legend at court. Lady Emmalyn and Elli had spoken of a man they remembered as being responsible and loving, kind even, but Luveday knew that he was not the man from their stories. The true man had yet to make himself known. On his first visit home in nearly a decade, would he find a lone lady more of a burden than a help? Luveday couldn’t help but worry.

  Elli pulled her along as the crowd cleared. A group hurried to the castle as many returned to finish their work. There was no one to greet the lord on his monumental return but Gregori. Men took horses and helped down knights as they entered the inner bailey behind the entourage. Luveday received many strange looks from wary and bedraggled men as she approached Sir Gregori and a gruff looking man as they spoke in a lively conversation. She assumed this was Lord Iain and he did not look happy. Although, he did not look as if he were in a rage either. As the two women drew near, Sir Gregori turned and smiled reassuringly. As he opened his mouth to introduce them, the Lord strode into the keep without a glance backward.

  They caught the concerned look that flashed across Sir Gregori’s face as he turned to follow. Elli turned to Luveday as her steps slowed to a stop. “Don’t worry, Luveday. Iain is a good man; his return is what we were expecting.”

  “Yes, in a month or two hence.” Luveday countered. “He does not seem pleased to be here.” She looked at Elli who shared her concerned look. Agnes and the women bustled passed. Luveday and Elli picked up their skirts and followed them to the empty kitchen. The fires had been laid low to last the day, but the kitchen was cold as the castle’s occupants had been working in the village the last few days. They had plenty of food brought up from the stores in preparation for feeding the village, so it wasn’t difficult to shift gears to feed the lord and his men. Women carted out more food as men opened more barrels of ale and caskets of wine. The lord was home, and they meant to show how much they had done. Pitcher after pitcher was filled with cool liquid and even Luveday helped carry items upstairs.

  A tray full of sliced meat and cheese to break the Lord’s fast was held securely in Luveday’s hands as she approached the fireplace. She sent Elli a look as the girl poured out goblets of wine. Setting the tray down, she stepped aside, not wanting to interrupt the conversation flowing between the group. Men she did not know conversed and joked around the fire, obviously weary from their journey.

  As she let their words flow around her, Luveday looked over the castle to gauge what Lord Iain might have thought on his first glimpse of the keep. She looked around with pride in the work that they had done, but perhaps he would not know how they had scrubbed the floors for two days and repaired the wall sconces. He would not care that the chandelier was scraped clean and the candles were all new. So, she looked for flaws, things that he could say were left undone. What was there to find fault with?

  Thanks to Lady Emmalyn’s journey the Keep had some new furniture and a few more pillows to soften their hard edges. The keep was clean, the furniture sparse, but comfortable. They had found more items in the storage rooms and dark corners, but even with the new additions, it was not enough to fill the hall. The walls were bare, but Luveday had some ideas to help fix that, and Lady Emmalyn had suggested starting a tapestry once the spring sheering was done. With a bit more time they might have even made the place feel cozy, and lived in. For now, it was clean, fresh smelling and as good as it was going to get.

  “A fortnight!” The Lord spoke with such force that the whole hall went still. Luveday’s attention was brought back to the conversation before her. They had been talking about Lady Christabel and her unexpected arrival and subsequent departure. It seemed that Iain’s return had been prompted by Gregori’s last letter informing him of his betrothed’s presence. Gregori had previously informed him that the lady was visiting the Abbey. He had only just learned how long her stay had been and was clearly not happy about it.

  “Lady Luveday has had things well in hand, Iain.” The knight assured him.

  “Where is this lady you speak of?” He sat back and sipped his wine with an angry scowl made fiercer by the thick beard and long hair that moved like a dark brown cloud about his head. His eyes looked hard, but Luveday couldn’t tell his demeanor through all that hair and grime.

  “I am here, My Lord.” Luveday stepped forward and curtsied as best she could. She had been practicing each morning as she got dressed for just this occasion.

  “And I take it we have you to thank for this warm welcome.” His voice was hard, but she could not tell if that edge was pointed at her or at the situation he had found waiting for him. Clearly, he had expected Christabel to be in attendance, to welcome him home as was his due. Instead, he had gotten an empty castle. Drat, the man’s timing. Two more days and the work on the village would be complete, Lady Emmalyn would be home and perhaps even his wayward bride, though Luveday secretly doubted the lady would indeed return as she had claimed.

  “Welcome indeed, Lord Iain. I am sorry you did not find the keep as you had hoped.” She said with all sincerity.

  He laughed at her. “I had hoped to find that the roof doesn’t leak, and our meals remain un-chard.” He took another gulp of wine. “I ha
ve yet to see if either has been improved upon since your arrival.” Sir Gregori sat forward in his chair, clearly annoyed by his friend’s attitude.

  Gregori was not sure of Iain when he was in this sort of mood. He had spoken of Lady Luveday in his letter, and while he had not known her long enough at the time to give his lord a true impression of the woman, he had spoken of her in kind and honest words. The lady was a blessing they had not expected, and he would tell his friend so as soon as he could talk to him in private.

  “I am sure you will find both to your satisfaction.” Luveday was not impressed by this man, at least not by his prickly disposition. He was perhaps a handsome man under all that hair. He was tall with wide shoulders, a narrow waist, large hands, large feet and a gleam of hard intelligence in his eye.

  He grunted in acknowledgment of her words and counted with a snide comment. “My satisfaction has yet to be seen too.” He smirked behind his goblet and shared knowing smiles with the men at his side.

  Luveday was not ignorant of the double meaning and might have slapped him if it did not look as if Gregori would do it for her.

  Elysant stepped in unaware of the tension, meaning only to help her friend. “You cannot blame Luveday for that, uncle! She has worked hard to restore the castle. I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

  At calling him uncle, Elysant reminded Luveday of her delicate situation. Elli was the bastard child of Iain’s older brother. The eldest De Lane had been killed in a skirmish while fighting for the King. Several years later a child had arrived bearing his name, and though the woman accompanying the young Elli had sworn that she was a legitimate heir, no record of a marriage could be found. The woman had disappeared with what little coin Iain was willing to hand over, though there was no doubt in his mind that Elysant was indeed his brother’s child. Her place had been a precarious one, and when he had left to champion the King, Iain had also left Elysant with his aunt knowing that she would care for the girl.

  “And what would the lady have done without us, I wonder.” He pondered aloud, his eyes resting on her.

  Gregori growled a warning that surprised his lord. “Iain…”

  “No, it is all right, Sir Gregori.” Luveday stepped forward, and the knight sat back down. She leaned down a little to look Lord Iain in the eye which seemed to startle him even more. “My Lord, I am fully aware of what my fate could have been if not for the kindness of Sir Gregori and Lady Emmalyn, of Elysant and the people here.” She looked at him with a hard eye. “I am not here to be a burden to anyone, if you think I do not earn my keep, then tell me plainly and I will go, but do not sit there and make suggestions about my character. You do not know me.” She straightened and took a step back. “My actions will speak for themselves.” She picked up the empty tray and turned to leave and in a pleasant voice called over her shoulder. “If you will excuse me, My Lord… I will go see how the preparations for the evening meal are progressing.” She didn’t wait for an answer.

  The meal progressed in stony silence. The women had heard of her confrontation with Iain and wished to protest the only way they could, by serving an inferior meal, but Luveday would not let them. She reminded them that this meal was his first at the keep and any shortcoming would reflect solely on her. So, in opposition, the women produced a meal the likes of which rivaled that on the King’s table. It was a shame that Luveday couldn’t enjoy it, she had lost her appetite as soon as she was seated between Sir Gregori and De Lane.

  Conversation flowed around the high table like water around a stone. The knights seated on either end tried to engage their fellows in conversation, but the middle of the table was uncooperative. Father Quinn had arrived to say grace and had joined the knights at the lower tables. Gregori looked as if he wished to join him too, but was loathed to leave Luveday and Iain alone. The women were on their best behavior; they made special trips to see if the lord or lady needed anything. Luveday nearly laughed at how sweet and attentive they were. It made Iain uncomfortable which gave Luveday a small bit of satisfaction.

  The sun was setting as the doors opened to admit one weary traveler. Half the head table was out of their seats upon spying Lady Emmalyn. Iain had missed his aunt, Luveday had missed her friend, and the rest longed for her calming influence to navigate the tension between the two. The knights were at a loss of what to do.

  Unbeknownst to many, Iain and his men had made a trip to Lander’s Keep before installing Lady Emmalyn there. They were all aware of the transformation the lady had performed, and though their lord was in a dark humor, they could not bring themselves to dislike her, though many tried to reserve their judgment for later.

  “Dear Aunt,” Iain called as he reached her first, his demeanor so different from what it was a moment ago that it brought Luveday up short. The two hugged and laughed as they greeted each other. The lord complimented his aunt’s eternal beauty, causing the older woman to blush profusely. Luveday was confused; here he was almost charming.

  “Lady Luveday!” Emmalyn looked around in wonder. “I knew you would do wonders, child!” She affectionately cupped both of Luveday’s cheeks in her hands. “Thank you!” They hugged, and Luveday smiled happily, trying to say that it wasn’t her, that the village had done the majority of the work. “Now, now, dear. I know you are too modest to take credit for all the hard work.” She stepped back and looked between Iain and her friend. “Has my nephew been charming you in my absence? I knew you two would get along splendidly.” The group surrounding them was suddenly very quiet.

  Iain shifted uncomfortably.

  “Has he regaled you with stories of his valor? No, well I’m sure that’s to come.” She laughed and patted Luveday’s arm as they walked arm-in-arm up to the high table, Emmalyn still unaware of the tension.

  “How was your journey? The pieces you send were wonderful, and I do not know what we would have done without Father Quinn.” Luveday let the lady take her chair and sat in the chair on the other side of Gregori, luckily the seat had been empty.

  “The trip went well, though I must say, I do not enjoy traveling as I once did. These old bones prefer to stay at home.” She took a sip of wine and smiled at the setting before her. “What wonders you have performed in a fortnight, Lady Luveday.”

  Sir Gregori sat and smiled at the two women, his mood much improved. “Indeed, she has, Lady.”

  Luveday blushed at their praise. “I was merely following orders.” She countered.

  Elli made a comment to Iain that didn’t reach Luveday, but whatever had been said caused him to look at her peculiarly.

  The rest of the meal progressed with happy chatter. The mood of the Hall was greatly improved. Emmalyn, tired from her journey retired early, Elysant went with her to help her unpack and get ready for bed. It had been a long day for all.

  Luveday went about her duties. She and Agnes rearranged and reviewed their plans for the meals for the next few days. She had been satisfied knowing that the village had been well fed in their absence. The knights and men-at-arms were more than satisfied with the evening meal, though many jokingly complained that a few more meals of that caliber and they would no longer fit into their armor. Luveday was happy with the banter, and while the knights treated her cordially, their lord remained silent.

  Luveday took the tray of wine up to the solar, unable to put it off any longer. She had already seen to other preparation for the lord, hot water, clean linens and the like. She wouldn’t have him say that they did not know the meaning of hospitality. She trudged up the stairs, knowing that this encounter had to take place, she was solidifying her position here, but she didn’t look forward to it. A part of her expected him to throw her out of the castle at any moment. Taking a deep breath, she opened the outer door to the solar.

  A boy of about thirteen sat in the small anteroom that transitioned from the castle to the solar. The room was small, little more than a pass-through with a built-in wooden bench taking up the left wall. Above it were three small square c
olored-glass windows near the top of the low ceiling, the only glass windows in the castle save the chapel. The boy sat on the bench which had been covered by his pallet. Obviously, it was where he would be sleeping, as he cleaned bits of leather and armor. He looked up and nodded shyly at her. Luveday stopped to look at him.

  “You are Coll, Lord Iain’s squire?” Luveday asked quietly. The boy looked happy for the recognition.

  “Yes, Lady Luveday.” He answered clearly, his mop of sandy blonde hair nearly covering his icy blue eyes and long lashes.

  He was cute, but Luveday tried to remind herself that a boy of his age was no longer a child. Children in this time did not get a childhood as she had known. “Did you enjoy supper, Squire Coll?”

  “Oh yes, lady. ‘Twas the best we’ve had in ages.” The boy beamed.

  “Good. If there is anything, you or your lord need, please tell me.” She offered, more for the boy’s sake than his master’s.

  “Yes, My Lady.” Coll looked up to her with shining eyes and then returned to his task.

  Luveday pulled open the second door, hearing voices inside. She looked sharply to her left and saw that Gregori and Iain sat before the large hearth in the room. She had placed two large chairs before the fire, but looking now, she thought they could use a larger table.

  Both men looked to her. Henna was collecting the dirty clothing for washing. While Luveday had seen to her duties around the castle, several serving women had helped the lord bathe. It was a quick affair that improved his disposition and smell. Setting down the tray of wine between them, she helped Henna collect the garments and was going to help the girl carry them down when Iain asked her to attend them.

  Everyone was very polite if brief with each other. “The wagons and the rest of my men should arrive in a day or so.” He spoke to her without looking at her. “There are some spoils of my tournaments among the wagons. Perhaps you will find something useful.”