Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (4 page)

“Lady
de Morris, ‘tis a pleasure to meet ye.” Kate swallowed hard while she assessed
her.

“I’ll
have ye shown to a chamber. I’m happy to have another lady here. It’s been a
long time since we entertained. I find I’m excited to have another lady staying
at our manor.”

Kate
watched her trying to rise from her seat and thought to offer assistance. She
stepped forward, but Lady de Morris held out a hand to ward her off.

The
lady’s thin hair, worn in curls atop her head, was matted and flattened. Though
she had been told Lady de Morris was young, her rumpled appearance made her
seem aged. The chartreuse color of her gown was quite ugly. Kate shook her
head. It wasn’t polite to judge the lady so, Goddess forgive her, she pleaded,
for being so uncompassionate. She tried to find something pleasant about the
woman, but honestly, even her high-pitched voice unnerved Kate. What did the
lady say? She remembered now.

“Aye,
my lady, I’m very tired from my journey, I would like to rest.”

At
that moment, her cat decided to make her presence known. She popped her head
from the carryall that Kate held, and Lady de Morris’ shriek could be heard all
the way to Londontown by the sound of it.

“What
is it?” Lady de Morris jumped onto the bench that flanked the table, lifting
her skirts high enough to show her knees. “Someone get a sword, kill it. Kill
it!”

“’Tis
just my cat, Trixie. I’m sorry she scared ye. She’s quite harmless, I assure
you.” Kate petted her cat, trying to soothe her. Trixie clawed at the carryall,
attempting to free herself.

“Be
gone with that rodent.” Lady de Morris’ demand came in another shriek.

Kate’s
first thought was that having an animal in this keep would really not make much
difference, her second, to calm the horrid lady. The lady continued to hold her
gown above her ankles.

“Lady
de Morris, if you would allow me, I shall keep my pet in my bedchamber. She’ll
not be bothersome. She’s not a rodent, but a feline. I promise she’ll behave.”

“See
that, that thing stays in there. I don’t want it walking around my keep, the
filthy, vile beastie.”

“Aye,
my lady.” Kate raised her eyes heavenward. If only the lady knew that cats were
revered and respected for their mystical aura. Then again, the lady probably
didn’t hold any such beliefs. After all, cleanliness was next to Godliness.

Lady
de Morris showed her to a large bedchamber on the second level. Several young
boys brought her trunks and other baggage into the room. She set Trixie on the
floor and closed the door behind the servants. Finally alone, she was thankful
the chamber wasn’t as filthy as the hall. The chamber contained a large
canopied bed with clean linens tucked neatly at the corners. A table flanked
the bedside, on which, sat a bowl and a pitcher. A tall screen stood in the
corner of the room. It was a rather nice room, considering what the hall had
looked like.

She
went to the wooden hutch that would hold her clothing and began placing her
garments inside. Trixie jumped on the bed, curling into a ball, purring. Kate
finished her chores and joined her friend on the bed. Trixie always soothed her
and made her feel not so very alone. She petted her, and closed her eyes.

Kate
opened her eyes to see the window-casement had darkened. She had fallen asleep,
but something awakened her. Someone yelled in the adjacent chamber, making
thumping sounds. Lady de Morris’ high-pitched voice reverberated through the
wall.

“You’re
going to have to eat.” Lady de Morris’ voice hardened.

Kate
heard a child’s bawl follow and she wondered who the child was, knowing the de
Morris’ had no children. Lady de Morris’ yell rattled the wall again.

“Ye
best get used to being here, little savage. This is your home now. If this food
is not eaten, you will be punished again. I don’t know why I even care for the
likes of ye. Starve yourself for all I care.”

Kate
heard the door bang and the lady’s footsteps retreat. Her first opinion had
been accurate; the lady didn’t possess a good character. She heard the child
sob loudly and her heart ached hearing it. The child’s cries diminished a few
minutes later, and the night grew quiet once again.

Early
the next morning, Kate awoke in her new home. She dressed, readying for the
day. Trixie continued to slumber on the bed, she wouldn’t awake until noon.
Kate gave her a pat betwixt her ears, for which she received a look of
loathing. She giggled then went to the hall for her morning meal. Awaking
early, she liked to start her day at sunrise. The hall was surprisingly empty,
so she sat at the table and a serving girl entered with a tray of food balanced
on her hip. She wore a brown frock tied at the waist. The girl seemed pleasant.

“Good
morn, my lady, I’m Susie.” Susie set the food down and curtseyed.

“Did
you prepare my room?”

“I
tried to make it welcoming, not that Lady de Morris knew. Please, don’t let on.
My lady doesn’t like if we tarry over a chore too long.”

Kate
frowned, nodding. “The room was a welcome relief from travel. I appreciate the
food. Is there anyone about yet? Have Lady and Lord de Morris risen?”

“Oh,
nay, my lady, the de Morris’ don’t usually rise for another few hours yet. They
be late sleepers. Lady de Morris is an indolent …” Susie’s eyes widened.
“Forgive me, my lady, I shouldn’t have said that. Pray, don’t tell Lady de Morris
I said such, she would grumble at me the rest of the day.”

Kate’s
eyes crinkled. “I shan’t tell her.”

Susie
lifted the hem of her frock, curtseyed, and strode away.

Kate
ate a light breakfast then she snatched an apple from the trencher, and went
back up the stairs. She crept down the hall, stopping outside the room next to
hers. With her ear pressed against the door, she listened for sounds from
within. She turned the handle and opened the door.

Though
it was dark inside, she could see the outline of a window on the far wall. She
walked to it and pulled the worn tapestry aside. Light filtered in, making the
room brighten. Beams of sunlight filled with dust, streamed across the chamber.
Kate waved at the dust, holding her breath. She could see now, and glanced
around the room. A pile of coverings sat in the corner. The small hearth on the
opposite side was empty, save for a few cobwebs. There was a chill in the room.

Had
she dreamt the child’s presence last evening?

Kate
stooped beside the coverings and stifled a gasp when a beautiful child unveiled
herself from beneath the covers. Her tiny hands rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
She couldn’t tell if the child had light or dark hair, but could see her
beautiful blue eyes. The child looked frightened. Her fear made Kate empathize
with her, and she knelt beside her.

“I’m
Kate. Who are you?” She used a gentle voice, but the little girl didn’t answer,
and scooted back. “I’d like to be your friend. Would you like that, too?” She
hoped to soothe the child. Still, the child didn’t speak. Mayhap she couldn’t
speak? Perhaps she didn’t understand English?

“Be
not afraid. Are ye well, unharmed?” The child nodded. “All right, sweeten, you
really must eat something. I brought ye an apple. If you eat it, I’ll bring you
a surprise.” Kate handed the apple to her and the girl put her shaky hand out,
taking it. She held it, but didn’t raise it to her mouth. “You eat your apple
and I’ll be back in a few minutes with your surprise.”

Kate
rose slowly so she wouldn’t frighten the girl and left the chamber. A child.
Was this the child Madam Serena had spoken of in her prophecy? Kate scoffed, it
couldn’t be. She went back to her chamber to get her cat. When she returned to
the child’s room, she held Trixie in her arms and placed her next to the girl.
The child slunk away, holding the half-eaten apple.

“Don’t
be afeared, this is my friend, Trixie. She’s my best friend. Do you want to
know why?” Kate smiled, continuing to pet her cat.

The
little girl nodded, it was progress.

“She
likes to purr and listen to me talk. I talk to her all the time and do you know
what? Never once has she told my secrets.” The little girl giggled a delightful
sound that made Kate smile. She continued to pet Trixie, sensing the girl’s
ease. “I need a favor, because the lady here doesn’t want Trixie in her hall.
Could I leave her here with you? You could keep her company when I’m not able
to be with her. She likes people.” Kate fibbed, because Trixie didn’t like
anyone, save her, but she hoped the cat would make the girl smile.

The
child nodded again, it was a start.

“All
right, I’ll leave her here. She likes to be petted like this.” Kate stroked
Trixie’s back to the tip of her tail, showing her how to pet her. She left the
room again, hoping the cat would pull the girl out of her glumness. The poor
thing looked pale and thin. Kate was determined to find out about her, how she
came to be with the de Morris’, and why she’d been kept in that room. Questions
racked her mind. She would search out Lady de Morris later and get those
answers.

A
child, here at the de Morris’ keep. Who would have thought such a thing was
possible? Kate considered what Madam had said, she’d meet the warrior when she
met the child. Having dismissed the comments that Madam made, what with the news
of her father’s death, the betrothal announcement, and then her sudden
departure from home, she hadn’t given it much thought. What were the chances
that she would meet a child and a warrior? Yet she had met a child. Would she
meet the warrior?

The
warrior haunted her visions.

Kate
returned to her chamber, cleaned up a bit, unpacked her candles and rope, and
sat in her circle. Once again, the vision of the warrior came. He never moved,
only appeared to be looking sternly at her with his arms crossed. She shook the
vision from her mind, not wanting to venture there. Instead, she prayed for the
child, asking the Goddess for guidance on how to aid her. It was a futile
effort, because the dark-haired warrior kept intruding. His rigid stance and
gray eyes troubled Kate. She wouldn’t get answers this morning, not with the
warrior haunting her. After she’d completed her morning ritual, she returned to
the hall.

Lady
de Morris called to her when she entered. Kate approached and looked to make sure
the bench was clean before she sat on it.

“What
have you been doing this morning, Lady Kaitlin?”

“I’ve
been unpacking and getting settled, my lady.”

“How
do you find the keep? It’s quite magnificent, is it not?” Lady de Morris
sounded proud of the ramshackled residence.

Kate
almost choked on the piece of cheese she’d just stuck in her mouth. She picked
up a goblet and drank, swallowing the cheese caught in her throat. “’Tis uh …
lovely. I would be glad to assist in the keeping of it. I took care of my—”

Lady
de Morris interrupted, “Nay, my girl that is the servants’ task. I won’t have ye
lifting a finger. Now, tell me, how old are you?”

Kate
wasn’t at all impressed with her manners. “I just turned nine and ten, my
lady.”

“How
is it ye are not married?” Lady de Morris poured more ale in her cup.

“My
father was called to Damietta five years ago, and he didn’t have time to make
arrangements before he left. I was only four and ten then and we felt there was
time to see to it.”

“My
husband has influential contacts in Londontown. In fact, he just returned from
a tourney at his majesty’s summer palace.” She boasted her husband’s position
as if it would impress Kate.

Kate
wasn’t affected in the least. “Will we be going to such events?”

“Perhaps,
ye shall. You’ll attend with Richard, I fear I don’t have the stamina for such
a journey, nor do I wish to go to court. Richard won’t be going back to court
for a while, but he will help you find a worthy husband.”

“Thank
you, Lady de Morris, but I am betrothed. King Henry has betrothed me, and when
Lord Aldwyn returns, I shall be taken to him.” Why did it sound so distressing?
Her future husband awaited, whether Lord Richard insisted Aldwyn influence the
king’s decision. Perhaps the man was a gentleman and would be a kind husband.
The king wouldn’t betroth her to someone of ill bearing. Although, she’d only
met the king once, she hoped he remembered her.

Lady
de Morris nodded. “I had forgotten that. Richard told me of the betrothal and
his dislike of the circumstances. Have no fear, Richard will right it. Have you
eaten, child?”

“Aye,
I rise early and have eaten. I heard you speaking to a child last night, in the
room next to mine. Who is she?”

Lady
de Morris’ eyes narrowed, her face scrunched. “Child?”

“Aye,
a child … in the room next to mine.”

“Oh,
that child. Forgive me, I had forgotten about her. She’s a servant’s child who
was abandoned, I fear. I’ve decided to help the poor girl out by taking her in.
I’ve given her a home and yet she won’t speak. I do believe she’s mute. I’ll
begin training her, but she’s quite young and troublesome.”

“That
is kind of ye, Lady, to take her in. Perhaps I can help.”

“Mayhap
ye can get her to eat. She’ll not even come out of the room, and I want to
begin her training soon. There is plenty of work to be done.”

Kate
knew she’d lied, because the woman was yelling at the girl the night before.
“I’d be happy to see to her adjustment. I haven’t anything else to do and I do
like children.” She tried not to sound too enthusiastic.

“You
can begin by taking the child’s food. She hasn’t eaten yet this day. I don’t
want the servants near her, because I don’t want the child scared. She’s a
timid thing.”

“How
long has she been here?” Kate feared to question her, but the lady seemed
forthcoming.

“Almost
three months.”

She
couldn’t believe it. If the child hadn’t eaten much since she’d been there, no
wonder she looked so thin. She would make sure the child ate every day and
would fatten her up.

“I’ll
see you later, dear child, I’m off to the village.” Lady de Morris strode from
the hall, leaving Kate sitting at the table alone.

She
left soon after and went to the kitchens. After placing foodstuff in a sack,
she grabbed a small basin from a table. She took the stairs and walked the
filthy corridor that led to the sleeping chambers. When the girl didn’t answer
her knock, Kate opened the door and peeked inside. The girl sat in the corner,
petting her cat, and slunk back when Kate entered.

“Don’t
be afraid, lovey, I won’t hurt ye.” Kate set down the basin she’d brought, and
removed the sack from over her shoulder. She sat next to her and smiled, hoping
it would relieve the child’s fear.

“I
know you speak English, because you understood me earlier. I’d like to be your
friend, like Trixie, I can keep secrets, too.” The child didn’t move or speak.
“Why don’t we start with our names? You remember, I told you my name is Kate.
What’s your name?” She waited for her answer, several seconds passed before she
finally heard a sound.

“B-Bonnie,”
the little girl uttered.

“Bonnie,
that’s a beautiful name. We’re going to be fast friends. Where are you from?”

“T-the
H-highlands. Scotland.”

“Scotland?
I’ve never been there before. Is it nice there?”

She
nodded, stuttering, “’Tis h-home.”

“Where
are your parents?”

“At
Honey’s.”

“Who
is Honey?” Kate placed her hand under Trixie’s chin and scratched her.

“Mama’s
cousin.”

“Where
does she live, in Scotland, too?”

“Nay,
England. Cousin Honey is a he.”

“Oh.
How did you come here? The lady said …” Kate became perplexed. Hadn’t Lady de
Morris said that she was a servant’s child? How could a servant’s child be from
Scotland?

“T-the
mean m-man … took me.”

“Took
you? Do you mean her husband?”

Bonnie
nodded.

Kate
sobered. “Do you mean that he was asked to bring you here and—”

Bonnie
shook her head vehemently. “Nay, I was supposed to rest, Papa said so.”

“Aye,
and …” She waited for her to continue.

“I
snuck out, and the mean m-man … took me.”

“He
just picked you up and took ye?” Kate realized she’d raised her voice, and then
blew out a dejected sigh.

Bonnie
moved away. “Aye, he put me on his horse and rided away. I tried to scream, but
no one could hear me.”

“Will
your parents be upset that you’re gone?”

“Aye,
Mama will cry and Papa will look for me.” Bonnie’s eyes watered, and her little
body shuddered.

“Do
they know where you went?”

“Nay,”
she sobbed, shaking her head.

“You’ve
been here a long time? Three months?”

“Aye,
I’m scared and miss my papa.”

“Bonnie,
do you want to go home?”

“I
want my mama and papa.” Tears rolled down her face and she wailed.

Kate
realized that she was crying, too. She lifted Bonnie, settling her on her lap
and held the girl in her arms, trying to comfort her.

“Don’t
worry, we’ll get you home. I’ll take you there myself if I have to. You can
trust me, Bonnie. Can you stay with me until I figure out a way to get you
home?”

Bonnie
nodded, and sniffled with another shudder.

“I
promise we’ll go on a great adventure.” She swiped the tears from Bonnie’s face
and hugged her.

“I
like venturing, Papa always says so.”

Kate
laughed. “Well, we’re alike in that. Now, we must get you cleaned up, and you
must eat. You need to get nice and fat before we go on our journey.” She
tickled her tummy, and heard Bonnie giggle.

She
thought to wash the girl, and reached for the basin, but the child needed a
bath. Instead, Kate went to the kitchen and instructed that a bath be sent to
her room. Then she returned to Bonnie’s room, and took her to her chamber. When
the bath arrived, she undressed Bonnie and put her in the tub. Bruises spotted
the poor girl’s back and legs, the child had been beaten. Kate suppressed her
anger, or at least she tried to.

“Who
beat you, Bonnie?”

“The
l-lady.”

That
harridan hurt the poor child. She hid her fury, but she could feel her cheeks
burning with anger. “I shall get even with her.”

She
gently washed the girl, dried her, and put her into a fresh gown, one that was
slightly tight on her and no longer fit properly. Even so, the gown was too
large for the little girl, so she cut the bottom hem so it ended at her feet
and cut the sleeves shorter. A mending would make for a better fit, she’d have
to see to it later. Bonnie looked silly in the overlarge garment.

Kate
combed her long hair, likely never cut once in her short life. Once dried, the
ends curled, giving the child an innocent look. She and Bonnie spent the day
tidying Kate’s chamber. After the midday meal, they sat on the bed. Trixie lay
next to them, her purr filling the room.

“You’re
nice and clean. You’ll sleep better now.”

“C-can
I stay with ye?”

“Certainly,
I have more than enough room.” Kate changed into her nightdress behind the
screen and when they were finally settled in bed, she asked Bonnie to tell her
about Scotland and her family. Was that ever a mistake. The child who hadn’t
spoken suddenly found her voice.

“Mama
is pretty, Papa says so. He loves her. Papa is laird. I’m a MacKinnon.”

“Tell
me about your family.”

“I
have a brother, his name is Kevin. He’s just a bairn, och I help Mama take care
of him.” Bonnie couldn’t sit still and fiddled with the covers. “Sometimes I
get into trouble and Papa punishes me. He doesn’t like to, and says that he
doesn’t want to do it, och he has to. Mama always laughs ‘cause Papa tries to think
of new punishments, but he always does the same thing—makes me sit in his
chair. I don’t like to sit in Papa’s chair, but it’s the best one. ‘Cause you
know why?”

Kate
shook her head.

“‘Cause
Papa’s laird.” Bonnie’s voice became arrogant, as if Kate should have known
that.

Kate
laughed and hugged her.

“Uncle
Brendan, that’s Papa’s brother. He’s going to be angry with me for gettin’
lost. He looks scary, but I’m not a scairt of him. You know why?”

“Nay,
why, lovey?” Kate closed her eyes. As she listened to the girl, she couldn’t
help wondering why Lord Richard would abduct her. There had to be a reason, and
it certainly wasn’t because they needed servants. She wondered if something had
happened at the king’s castle which caused Lord Richard’s ire, and he took the
child for revenge. Lord Richard was evil enough to do something so atrocious.
Now she knew that she must help the child. She opened her eyes and found Bonnie
looking at her.

“‘Cause
he has a good heart. He told me not to tell anyone. Oops, I shouldn’t have told
ye that, now Uncle will be angry.” Bonnie placed her hand over her mouth, her
eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I
won’t tell your uncle, your secret is safe.”

“Papa
has a big family. They live with us and they’re our clan. Uncle Robin married Mama’s
friend, Tess. She’s bonny, just like Mama, and she gaved Uncle a bairn, too.
You know what his name is?”

“Nay,
what?” Kate yawned.

“Robert.
Mama calls him Robbie, cause his Papa’s name is Robin.” Bonnie yawned, too. “I
have a pet named George.”

“Is
George a dog?”

“Nay.”
Bonnie giggled. “He’s a goat. Mama loves ‘em, but he’s badder than me
sometimes. You know what?”

“What?”

“He
likes to eat Mama’s table cloths. She smacks him and he runs away.” Bonnie
giggled again. “Mama says he plays games with her.”

When
she finally quieted, Kate thought about what the little girl had told her.
Bonnie had been abducted by her guardian and she had a loving family who was,
at this very minute, desperately trying to find her. Kate knew why the Goddess
had sent her here now: she had to save the child and return her to her family.
How would she be able to do that? Madam said she would go on a somber mission.
How was the warrior connected to the child? She’d met the child, but where was
the warrior? She needed to get inside her circle, but would wait until Bonnie
fell asleep. She hoped Bonnie’s family was searching nearby so she could return
her.