Page 59 of Castle of Refuge

“Oh. Well... Has something happened? Forgive me for being impertinent, but... are you no longer pledged to marry Lady Ophelia?”

“I am not. She has married someone else.”

Mistress Wattlesbrook’s face brightened and she sat up straighter. Her smile was so big it put him even more on his guard than he already was. Should he try to contradict what she was thinking? No doubt she was already imagining his wedding to Audrey. But he had to win the lady’s heart first.

“You asked about Audrey . . . I know she likes flowers. She went and picked a great armful of those common little blue and white flowers that grow by the stream bank and put them in a vase of water on her windowsill. And she loves to see the sunin the morning. Throws open her window shutters just as soon as she wakes up. She also loves teaching those children. You certainly gave her just the thing to keep her happy and occupied by allowing her to teach those girls at the church.” Mistress Wattlesbrook lowered her head a bit and spoke more quietly. “And I’ve noticed her face lights up when you walk into the room.”

He had known Mistress Wattlesbrook would react this way, but he hadn’t expected her to saythat. Her face did light up. That was true. But it probably had nothing to do with him. She was an enthusiastic person. She probably did the same when she saw Mistress Wattlesbrook.

He shouldn’t have asked Mistress Wattlesbrook about Audrey. Now she would give him away, would behave suspiciously when Audrey was around, or even tell Audrey that he asked about her. He should have asked her himself.

“That will be all. Thank you, Mistress Wattlesbrook, and I pray you not to mention what we talked of tonight—my asking about Audrey.”

“Of course. And Audrey is a very good sort of girl, the best kind of girl.”

The woman was very slow to get up and leave. In fact, she took her time to scoot to the edge of her chair.

“She has a heart of love and goodness, that one. And honest. You could not find a better or a gentler lady.”

He believed she was right about Audrey. Nevertheless, that did not mean the girl would want him. She hadn’t wanted Sir Clement.

“Do you not believe me?”

“I do believe you. But what makes you think—” He stopped himself and looked out the window into the twilight.

“My lord, you must not think the girl would not admire and love you because of... because of what happened. She herself has scars.”

“But she is not missing a body part, is she? I do not wish to speak of it. I bid you a good night.”

Mistress Wattlesbrook stood. “Good night, sir. All shall be well.” And with that she left the room.

He never should have brought it up to her, never should have spoken to her about Audrey. But at least now he could keep in mind... she liked wildflowers and sunrises.

Fifteen

Audrey carried her parchment texts toward the church. It had been over a week since she’d seen her sister, but she still could not pass the spot where she first saw Maris step out of the trees and into the road without shuddering.

But today she did not want to dwell on Maris. She was still thinking about the walk she had taken with Lord Dericott.

She had quite enjoyed Lord Dericott’s company, and seeing the storks and their nest had been pleasant as well. The storks had built it in a tree that looked as if it had been struck by lightning and the top of it had been broken out halfway up the trunk. The huge nest was nestled snugly in the hollowed-out space, and they’d been able to watch the adult birds feed the baby birds. But the most enjoyable part was talking with Lord Dericott.

Strange that he was the first man she’d ever been able to talk with as freely as she could with a woman. And yet he was verymale and masculine. He was nothing like her father, who grew bored with her in a matter of moments, if he listened to her at all. And Lord Dericott was nothing like her tutor, who was fidgety and criticized many of the things she said.

In contrast, Lord Dericott was gentlemanly, attentive, and thoughtful in his responses. She could imagine asking him what he thought about a great many things.

She could also imagine the two of them becoming quite good friends, should she remain in Dericott for a long time. But how would she feel once he was married to Lady Ophelia? Surely they would no longer be able to walk and talk together. She didn’t like to think about it.

How long could she continue teaching the village girls to read and write? She often wondered if Maris would leave her alone and stop harassing her. Would her sister return to Dericott and do violence to her? But she didn’t want to think about that either. She was more content than she’d ever been, and she didn’t want to drive away her contentment with wondering about the future. Besides, there was nothing she could do about Maris, and she thought about her a little less every day.

The guards accompanying Audrey left the usual baskets of food in her schoolroom. Then all but one guard left, the remaining soldier walking around outside keeping watch.

Now that most of the girls were reading at least a little, teaching them was even more enjoyable. She was surprised when one of the girls asked if it was time to go. Audrey looked out the window at the sun.

“Yes, you can be dismissed. You all are so clever, it makesthe time go by fast.” Then she said, as she did almost every day, “Thank you all for working so hard. I will see you tomorrow.”

The children filed out, talking among themselves, while Audrey gathered up her things to go.

“Trying to impress your young earl?”