As the Sparks Fly Upward (21 page)

“Oh, yes!”

“All right, get your things. We are leaving today.”

“In all this snow?”

“We are not going to let a little snow stop us.” Colin had a slight smile turning up the corners of his mouth, for he was happy that he had made her feel better. “We'll have a vacation, just you and me. My parents will be excited to see you.” Once again he was pleased because of the way the excitement changed her features. He realized her face, especially her eyes, were a window into her emotions.

He also suddenly realized that this girl had a beautiful face. He saw that there was a hint of her will in her eyes and in her lips. Her complexion was fair, with a tint of rose color in her cheeks that showed up when she was angry or embarrassed. The most exotic of Twyla's features were her violet eyes, set off by her black hair, the densest black he had ever seen. It occurred to him that she had grown up since he had brought her to live with him at his home. Still, he could see behind her composed expressions a little girl's eagerness.

“I'll get ready right now, Mister!” she cried, then wheeled and ran lightly toward her room.

The fire crackled and snapped as Brandon poked the logs with a heavy iron poker. The sparks flew like fiery stars up the chimney, and the heat filled the room. He and Eden were sitting in the parlor, the warmest room in the house.

“It is nice here,” Eden said. “I don't remember such a long cold spell.”

Brandon glanced at Eden and smiled. “The wisest thing I ever did was marry you.”

Eden laughed, saying, “You never cease to amaze me, Brandon. You can be mean as a snake, and then you come out with something sweet like that.”

“When was I ever mean as a snake?”

“Lots of times, but I have a way of forgiving.” Eden said this with her teasing smile.

Brandon grinned back at her. “It's good to have a wife who ignores a man's shortcomings.” He settled back in the chair and held his boots up to the fire. “I had a letter from Walsingham.”

“What did he say?”

“The same thing he always says: ‘Mary, Queen of Scots, is in conspiracy. She is the greatest danger England has.'”

“She's a prisoner. Elizabeth had her locked up the moment she came to England. What on earth can she do?”

Brandon gave her a sour glance. “She can still have Elizabeth assassinated.”

“She would never do a thing like that!” Eden protested.

“She had her husband killed. What makes you think she would do less to Elizabeth?”

The two talked about the political situation in England, both well aware that England was on the razor's edge of war with Spain, and it would only take one incident to bring the Spanish down on their nation.

A tall servant appeared and said quietly, “Sir, Master Colin is here.”

Instantly they got up and Eden said, “We've been expecting Adam, not Colin. Did he tell you he was coming?”

“He didn't say a word,” Brandon said. “You know how impulsive he is.”

Colin, accompanied by Twyla, entered the kitchen and was greeted by his parents. Eden gave Colin a kiss and he hugged
her. Her eyes then turned to Twyla. “Why, my dear, you have grown since I've seen you!”

“Yes, you have,” Brandon said. “It's good to have you here, Twyla.”

“Thank you, sir. Thank you, Lady Winslow,” Twyla murmured. Her face was pinched with cold, as was Colin's.

“Come to the fire and get warm,” Brandon said.

They huddled close to the fire, and Eden had a maid brew some hot spiced ale for them. When they were warm, Eden said to Twyla, “You come with me. Let these men talk about unimportant things. I've got something
really
important to show you.”

Eden led Twyla down the hall and up to the second floor, where she and Brandon shared a bedroom. There was still a fire burning so she didn't call a servant, but she put two small logs on and waited until they crackled merrily. Then she smiled, saying, “I can't believe how much you've grown! Pull up a chair until it gets warmer.” She waited until Twyla sat down, then sat close to her. “Now tell me what you have been doing.”

“The same as always. I cook and keep house. I try to keep the washing done. Just regular work, I guess.”

“I'm sure you do more than that.” Eden smiled a sweet smile, and a thought came to her. “I wonder if there is a young man pursuing you.”

“No!”

Eden saw that she was troubled. “I'm sure there will be soon enough. Now, let me show you what I brought you up here for.” She walked over to a heavy walnut wardrobe. She pulled out some garments and laid them down on her bed. “I knew that we'd see you sooner or later and that you would need some new clothes, so I've been getting you a new wardrobe.”

Surprise washed across Twyla's face, and she whispered, “Lady Winslow, you shouldn't have done that.”

“Nonsense! It's given me much pleasure. Now slip this on, and we'll see if it is too big.”

Ten minutes later Twyla was standing before the fire, pleased with the new dress. “It's a perfect fit!”

“It certainly is! How old did you say you were, Twyla?”

She lowered her head and spoke in a soft tone. “I don't know, Lady. Fourteen or fifteen, I guess. I was never told exactly. I guess I could even be sixteen.”

“Well, your figure has certainly blossomed since I saw you last.”

Twyla looked down and ran her hand over the pale green material. It was the finest dress she had ever worn. It had a fitted bodice and a wide, low, square neckline. The long skirt opened in front to show a decorative kirtle, and the wide fur cuffs on the sleeves of the overgarment were beautiful. “It's so lovely!” Twyla whispered. “But it's too fine for me.”

“Nonsense! Now, let's go down and let Colin and my husband admire you.”

Eden led her back down the stairs and into the kitchen, where the men were still sitting at the table. As soon as they entered, Brandon jumped up and exclaimed, “Bless my soul! Look at that girl!”

Colin could not speak, and Eden saw that he was shocked. Brandon was praising the dress and how wonderful Twyla looked in it, but Colin stood staring. Eden looked at Twyla and saw that she was disappointed that Colin had said nothing. “Don't you like Twyla's new dress, Colin?” Eden asked.

“What? Why, of course I do! I'm so impressed that I'm speechless. Yes, Twyla, I like your dress very much indeed!” He added uncertainly, “I just don't know enough about young women to see that you needed new things.”

Eden said with satisfaction, “Well, now you know, so you can see that she gets new clothes as she needs them. Oh, Colin, did your father tell you that Adam will be here soon?”

“Yes, he did. I'll be glad to see him,” Colin replied, then added, “I thought I'd go see Meg while we're here.”

“I had a feeling you would be doing that,” Brandon said with a grin. “You two are always in some sort of conspiracy, it seems.”

“No conspiracy, sir. She was my best friend growing up.”

“Can I go with you, Mister?” Twyla asked suddenly.

“Why, Twyla, it's freezing out there. You ought to stay here and thaw out.”

“I wish I could go. You've told me so much about Meg, I'd like to meet her.”

“Well, if you like. We will need some fresh horses, I think. But we won't go until the weather breaks.”

“We have fresh horses,” Brandon said. “You take this young woman and go visit your friend anytime you like.”

Meg was stirring the soup in a black pot suspended over the fire. It gave off a delicious aroma. She suddenly heard a voice calling from outside. At once she put the spoon down and ran to the door. As soon as she opened it, Colin came, in grinning widely. Before she could even speak, he grabbed her, lifted her off the floor, and swung her around. He hugged her warmly, and when he put her down, Meg said with a laugh, “Don't be so rough with an old woman!”

“You're not old, Meg. You never were.” Colin smiled. “I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you.”

“Did you now? Well, I'm glad to hear it. How long have you been here?”

“Just a week.”

Meg looked at the young woman who hung back uncertainly at the door. “And who is this? Don't tell me you have brought a wife back with you?”

Meg saw Colin was shocked by this statement. He stared at Meg, swallowed hard, and said, “Oh, no! This is Twyla. She takes care of Dr. Teague and me—and a very good job she does! Twyla, this is my good friend Meg. You have heard me speak of her often.”

“I'm glad to know you, Twyla.” Meg went over and shook her hand and stared at her intently. “So you take care of this young fellow and his mentor?”

“Yes, I do the best I can.”

“I'm sure you do a very good job indeed. Now come on inside, for I've got a treat for you.”

The two sat down in two rough chairs. Meg went to the fireplace and spooned out helpings from the black pot into wooden bowls. She set the bowls in front of them along with two wooden spoons. “Try that,” she said, “while I get some for myself.”

Colin glanced mischievously at Twyla. “Don't ask what this is. It could be anything. Meg thinks all meat is good to eat.”

“You mind your manners, Colin Winslow, or I'll take a stick to you!” Meg snapped. She came back with a bowl for herself and took a seat, saying, “This is turtle soup, and it's wonderful.”

Colin tasted the soup and exclaimed, “This is as good as ever!”

“It is good!” Twyla said. “I've never tasted anything like it.”

“The first time I met Colin, he was just a boy. He had a turtle and I made him give it to me.”

“That's right. You cooked it, and I had my first taste of turtle soup.” He ate hungrily, as did Twyla. As soon as they'd finished, Meg got up to get them some more of the delicious soup and some ale. “That ought to warm your insides. Now, tell me what you have been doing with yourself.”

Meg listened as Colin spoke of his progress as a physician, but she was watching Twyla. The girl said little, and Meg had trouble guessing her age. Finally, when Colin had finished catching Meg up on all of his news, she demanded, “Well, what about yourself, Twyla? How in the world did you end up waiting on this ungrateful boy?”

“I'm not ungrateful,” Colin protested.

“Yes, you are.
All
men are ungrateful,” Meg said with some playfulness in her voice, but Colin noticed a ring of truth in her declaration.

Meg listened as the girl told in detail how Colin had saved her and ended by saying, “So I belong to Mister for seven years—well, less than that now.”

Colin said vehemently, “I don't own you, Twyla! I wish you would stop saying that!”

Meg laughed and pulled a lock of Colin's hair, saying, “He's a devil with young women, so you'd better watch yourself.”

Colin quickly said, “You know that is not true, Meg.”

Twyla said quietly, “He'd never hurt me, not Mister!”

As the two sat talking, Meg saw that the Twyla never took her eyes off Colin.
Why, the poor child is smitten with him! And he's as blind as a bat!

Meg pulled Colin aside as Twyla was getting her warm cloak. She whispered, “Be careful, boy! If you do this girl harm, you are no man and never will be!”

Colin said with exasperation, “Why, Meg, I would never harm Twyla!”

Meg shook her head. “See to it you don't. Don't you dare break her heart.”

Colin stared at her without understanding, then saw that Twyla was ready. The two left the house, and as soon as they were mounted, Twyla asked, “What was Meg saying to you?”

“Oh, nothing important.”

“It looked important to me. Now, what was it?”

Colin tried to think of a way to answer. “She just wanted me to be good to you.”

“What did she mean by that?”

Colin saw that Twyla was more observant than he'd thought. Even now she was watching him steadily. “Well, she warned me not to be to be, well, too affectionate to you.”

Twyla glared at him. “She didn't need to say that to you. You never are affectionate to anyone except your mother.”

“Why, Twyla, you know how I appreciate the care you give Dr. Teague and me.”

Twyla started to answer, then pursed her lips and shook her head. This troubled Colin, but he didn't know how to go on with the conversation.

They rode quickly, and when they arrived back at the house Adam was there to greet them. He looked big and strong, and his face was lit up with a huge smile. He came at once and grabbed Colin, saying with excitement, “I've got big news for you, brother!”

“What is it, Adam?”

“I'm getting married!” He laughed and added, “I'll wager you'll never guess the name of my bride. It's Lady Heather Benton! She has won my heart.” Adam struck Colin lightly on the arm. “She speaks so well of you, but then her whole family does. Apparently you will have no problems with your sister-in-law. Wish me joy, Colin.”

Colin had trouble speaking and could only say, “I hope you will be very happy.” He soon excused himself to go to his room.

Later that afternoon he surprised his whole family by saying, “Twyla and I must get back.”

“But it's too cold,” Eden said. “Stay a while longer.”

Colin shook his head. “We must get back.”

Adam protested, but continued speaking of Heather and how happy he was. “I've never been so happy! You must find yourself a young woman, Colin. Fall in love with her and marry her. Then you'll know what true love is!”

Twyla rode silently beside Colin all the way back to the house. It was a long trip and very cold. When they arrived, Teague was there to greet them and noticed Colin's strange and distant manner. This bothered him, for he knew Colin better than anyone did—except Twyla. When Colin went to his room, Phineas asked, “What's the matter with Colin?”