Page 28 of The Silent Songbird

Westley’s heart was heavy as John turned and stalked away, back toward Caversdown.

John’s father, Hugh Underhill, had always been a harsh man. He’d even given John a black eye once when John and Westley were just boys of fourteen. It hurt to see his friend have such an unkind father when Westley’s own father was so good and wise. Westley had even offered to let John come and live with him, but he had refused.

“Why is John Underhill so angry?”

Westley sighed. “I suppose he doesn’t want to think ill of his father, so he’s remembering the past differently.”

Reeve Folsham nodded and frowned.

Evangeline waited in the entryway. A pretty blonde maiden a few years younger than she called, “Westley! The new servant is here.” She walked away, as if to go find him.

A few moments later, Westley bounded in through the back passageway. “That rude girl was my sister Cate.” His brown hair was calmer than usual, as if he had combed it. “I have a place for us to read. Come.” He motioned her forward with his hand.

She followed him through the passageway toward the back of the house. They passed through a room where some older childrenwere hunched over a chess game, but they did not look up as she and Westley passed.

Lady le Wyse entered the corridor in front of them. She smiled when she saw them. “Westley.”

He kissed her cheek and she patted his.

“Eva. How are you, my dear?”

Evangeline smiled at her.

“How are you doing with your work? I forgot to check on you today. Golda did not work you too hard, I hope?”

Evangeline shrugged and shook her head.

“That is good. Westley tells me you can read and that you wish to read the Bible. It is a noble ambition, to read the Holy Writ.”

Her words buoyed Evangeline’s spirit and dispelled some of her exhaustion.

The back door opened and Lord le Wyse stepped in.

Lady le Wyse’s face lit up as she turned toward him, and Lord le Wyse’s attention was immediately caught by her. He stepped toward his wife with a small smile on his lips. He kissed her briefly and she put her arm around him.

The look they gave each other made Evangeline slightly embarrassed, as if she had peeked in on someone when they thought they were alone, but it also pleased her to see a married couple so obviously in love with each other. Had they married for love?

Muriel should see this.

Westley motioned for her to follow him, and they passed by the lord and his lady, who called, “Don’t forget supper in an hour.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Fine catch of fish,” his father told him as he passed.

“Thank you, Father.”

Soon Evangeline and Westley were out the back door and standing on a flat expanse of green grass encircled by a low hedge. Beyondthe hedge was a beautiful garden that fairly glowed in the light of the late-day summer sun.

“This is a spot where my sisters and I come to read sometimes.”

The vulnerable smile on his face seemed to say that he was inviting her to know something personal about himself.

He pointed to the low bench and the cushions on the ground around it, like a comfortable little alcove in the corner against the side of the stone exterior with the bushes juxtaposed against it.

“Here’s the Bible, the Latin one.” He picked up the large book that lay on the bench and held it reverently.

Evangeline gazed into his eyes. Could he see how grateful she was that he was being so kind to her when she was only a servant girl? How grateful she was for his sharing his family’s precious Bible with her? How would he know if she did not speak?