Music for My Soul (13 page)

Madeleine was amazed at the change that came over him. She had found him arrogant and caustic. Now he smiled and looked as any proud father might.

“Lissa, I’d like to present to you Madeleine. She will be singing with the troupe that has come to the faire.”

Lissa locked her arms around Garrett’s leg and buried her face in his knee. Pulling away slightly, she glanced up at Madeleine after a moment’s time. She caught Madeleine staring at her, and she mashed her face once again into Garrett.

He patted her head gently. “Lissa’s quite shy,” he said quietly. “She wasn’t always.” A hard look came across his face, clouding the pleasant expression that had been there momentarily. “At any rate, she doesn’t take to strangers well. In fact”— he leaned toward Madeleine confidentially—“she often doesn’t speak around them.”

Madeleine nodded. She loved children and though she regretted that she had not been blessed with any, she was good with them. Kneeling beside Lissa, she asked, “Have you ever been to a faire, Lissa?”

The child lifted one eye away from Garrett’s leg and peeked at Madeleine. “No,” she whispered and planted her face firmly back into his knee.

“Well, then ‘tis time you did. I know for a fact that your papa had this faire come to Stanbury especially for you.”

Once more Lissa peeped out. “He did?” She continued watching her with wide eyes.

“Of course he did. Your papa loves you very much, Lissa. Why, of all the little girls in England, your papa has the reputation of loving you the very most.”

“Really?” The girl’s head was now totally lifted from Garrett’s knee.

“Yes, everyone knows that, you silly goose.” Madeleine smiled at her.

“I’m not a goose,” Lissa said stubbornly, her bottom lip sticking out.

“But you could pretend to be one,” Madeleine told her. “All you have to do is think like a goose and quack.” She folded her hands under her and made a motion up and down as if she had wings. She hobbled along and began quacking, softly at first, and then louder as Lissa began playing along.

“Come, now, you can’t just quack like one, Lissa, you’ve got to act like one, too.”

Soon she and the young girl were moving along the ground, honking and squawking, their arms flapping up and down.

“Papa, Papa, you have to quack, too.”

Garrett shook his head. “No, sweet girl, a lord does not go about quacking in public.”

Lissa’s bottom lip poked out again. “Then don’t be a lord.”

Garrett looked around, but the closest people were on the far side of the meadow, well out of earshot. Still, he hesitated.

Madeleine looked at him pleadingly. “Please?” she mouthed.

Garrett squatted down. “I’ll stop being a lord. But ‘tis just for a few minutes,” he told his daughter.

Garrett made the best bird of all, his squawks and honks loud and very obnoxious.

“You sound very much like the real thing, my lord,” Madeleine told him.

“He’s not a lord,” Lissa said. “He’s a goose.”

Garrett groaned and quacked one last time. “This goose must stand, Lissa,” he said and rose to his feet. He then held out his hands to them and they both stood, too.

“I’m afraid I sound so real that someone will want to cook me.”

Lissa smiled at him and took his hand in hers. She placed her free one in Madeleine’s. “Can we see the faire now, Papa?”

Garrett looked at Madeleine and she answered for him. “Things are not quite ready yet, Lissa. It takes a few days to assemble everything.” She noticed the girl’s mouth turn down in a frown. “Of course, we could go and see what’s being done. That way you would know what you want to do once things are ready.”

Lissa’s answer was to tug on their arms and propel them along with her. They walked slowly, Madeleine pointing out the different wares to be sold.

“Over here ‘twill be things every woman needs—spices, salt, honey, soaps. Down this alley, coal, iron, tools, and knives will be sold.”

They moved further along and Madeleine stopped them again. “Here are where shoes and various cloths can be purchased. My favorite is the velvet because ‘tis so soft and the colors are so rich.”

“I have a velvet tunic, Madeleine. I got it for Christmas. Aga made it for me. She says I’m beautiful when I wear it.”

“Aga? Who’s that?”

Lissa ducked her head, her shyness returning after such a long outburst of familiarity.

“’Tis Lissa’s nickname for my mother,” Garrett replied. “We’re not sure how she stumbled upon the name, but she has remained Aga, nevertheless.”

Madeleine led them to a more open space, away from the stalls. Hammering echoed throughout, as many had been pressed into service. “Here will be the horses, Lissa. Men will come from all around to size up the horseflesh. A lord might buy a mare for breeding new stock, whilst a reeve might be sent to purchase several horses to help in the farming. You’ll want to bring your papa around to see the ponies.”

“Ponies!” Lissa exclaimed, the shyness nowhere to be found once ponies were mentioned. “Can we come see them, Papa, can we, can we, please?”

“I’m sure ‘tis something I can arrange,” he assured her. “There’ll also be dancing and singing, Lissa, and the mummers will put on several shows. Madeleine helps out there.”

Lissa’s eyes grew round. “What do you do, Madeleine?”

“First, I play a few songs to help quiet the crowd. Some have pretty melodies, while others tell stories.”

“You’re a troubadour?” Lissa asked in amazement. “Troubadours have to be men.”

“Not this one,” Madeleine said. “I also help narrate some of the plays. If we’re short—handed, I even play a part now and then, all in costume.”

“I want to hear you sing,” Lissa told her. “I like to sing.”

“You do?” Madeleine looked at Garrett. He shrugged. “Can you sing a song for me now?”
  Lissa shook her head and wrapped her arms around Garrett’s leg again.

“Not again, little one,” he said and pried her away. He lifted her high above his head and then lowered her until she rested on his shoulders. He began strolling back the way they’d come until they reached the shade of an old oak.

Garrett lifted Lissa again, placed her on the ground, then wiped his brow and sat with his back against the trunk.

“You’ve worn me out, child.” He motioned for Madeleine to sit.

It took her a moment to kneel, and she took special care to arrange her leg.

Garrett then winked at Madeleine. “Oh, I’m so tired. Maybe you could sing us a song, Madeleine?”

As Lissa watched her eagerly, Madeleine saw Garrett shake his head slightly. “No, my lord, I’m sorry. I cannot sing unless I have my lute with me.” She paused, meeting his eye. “I wish I could sing without it, but I can’t.”

“I can sing without a lute,” Lissa said quietly. “I sing to my dolls every night before I go to sleep.”

“Then would you please sing for us, Lissa?”

The child began. She started slowly, a bit hesitant, but she grew in confidence as she continued.

It was obviously a song the girl had made up, but she had perfect pitch. Both Madeleine and Garrett clapped loudly when she finished.

Garrett hugged her. “I did not know I had such a talented daughter. You are very good, Lissa.”

She beamed at his words of praise.

Evan suddenly appeared and jumped into Madeleine’s lap. Jealously, Lissa climbed beside him. Evan pushed her aside, but Lissa was determined. She returned to her spot and held on to Madeleine tightly, despite Evan’s nudges.

“Quit shoving,” Madeleine ordered Evan. “I’ll not share a story otherwise.” Both settled down and listened quietly as she told a tale from the Arabian Nights.

When she finished, Evan jumped up, tired of being still so long. “Can you play with me?” he asked Lissa.

She turned to Garrett and he nodded. They took off holding hands.

“It seems Evan’s found a playmate,” Madeleine said. “’Tis a good thing. He’s been lonely with no children his age in the troupe.”

“I’m amazed Lissa went. She’s said more in the last hour than she has in the last year, Madeleine. You’ve woven a magic spell about her.”

Madeleine laughed. “No, ‘tis nothing I did, my lord.”

“But ‘twas,” he told her earnestly. “And I didn’t even know she sang so well. She’s never done it before.”

“Then you should encourage her. If she’s shy, ‘tis a good way to learn to open up.”

“Would you give her lessons?”

“Why me?”

“She’s relaxed around you. Maybe she could learn something of the lute, too. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen today.” He took her hand in his and pressed it gently. “She likes you, Madeleine, and she’s been through . . . a difficult time.”

“But do you trust me, Lord Montayne? I lied about who I was. You believe I stole your cloak, and now you think me a jewel thief, too.” She smirked a bit as she said the last remark.

“I do trust you, Madeleine.” There was no hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Will you help Lissa?” He looked at her eagerly. “I’d pay you, of course.”

Madeleine hesitated briefly, but the thought of making the enchanting girl—and her father—happy helped decide her. It also wouldn’t hurt to have some additional coins for her trip to France.

“Yes, I’d be delighted to work with your daughter.”

Garrett helped her to her feet, and they both brushed off the bits of grass that clung to them.

Neither saw Royce as they passed by the group of men working to create the fences that would hold in the horses.

“Married, Madeleine?” he said under his breath. “And yet you dally with his lordship. We shall see about that.” He drove the nail through the wood in one angry blow.

Chapter 12

Ashby noticed how unusually quiet Garrett was throughout dinner. He had grown to be a taciturn man in the time since Lynnette had left, but the silence tonight was overbearing. He wondered what Garrett was contemplating, for beneath the silence he was pensive.

Garrett’s mother caught his eye. He could see the questions written on Edith’s face. He smiled at her reassuringly. He’d fostered with her and her husband, Ryker, from the time he was eight years of age and he loved her very much. Stanbury had become like his own home ever since. He’d been living there on and off for close to a score. He’d tried to be a good friend to Garrett throughout the years, especially during times of trouble. Luke’s death, Lynnette’s leaving, whatever the situation, he’d helped Garrett pick up the pieces and continue living.

Now, Edith continued to look puzzled. He smiled again at her and turned to Garrett. He’d do his best to draw Garrett out of the cocoon that surrounded him.

“Have you seen the faire being created right before our eyes, Garrett?”

Garrett grunted.

“I take that as a ‘yes’, Garrett?” he pressed on.

Garrett’s face cleared and he focused on his friend. “Yes, Ash, I walked about some today. Lissa was with me.”

“Papa! You’re talking about me.”

A blur dashed by the table and vaulted into Garrett’s lap. He gripped the table to prevent being thrust backward in his chair.

“Careful, my sweet,” he gently chided Lissa. “We almost went crashing to the floor.”

“Sorry, Papa,” she said softly then perked up. “Would you like to hear my song again?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear.

Ashby and Edith exchanged wide—eyed looks. The child seemed like a different person. He’d seen her range from sullen to sweet over the last two years, from silent to barely speaking, but never jubilant, never as a child her age was meant to act. Something significant had happened today. A smile tugged at his mouth. He had an idea who might be involved here.

Lissa climbed down from Garrett’s lap. She seemed unsure what to do now with all attention focused upon her. Her hand went to her hair, where she methodically began twisting a strand around her finger.

Ashby spoke up. “You said you had a song, Lissa? Could we hear it, please?”

Lissa nodded but remained silent, her finger still twirling in her hair. She looked from Ashby to Edith and back again. He tried to encourage her once more.

“Come, Lissa, we are the perfect audience to hear your song for the first time. I know you must sing better than your papa, and surely you’ll sound better than I. The ladies fairly knock themselves down to escape hearing me when I try to serenade them.”

Lissa giggled. “I sing to my dolls every night. And I sang for Madeleine and Papa today.”

He shot a look at Garrett, whose eyes remained hooded. His elbows were propped upon the table, hands locked under his chin.

“Who’s Madeleine?” asked Edith.

“She’s Papa’s friend, Aga,” said Lissa impatiently. “Can I sing my song now?”

“Of course,” Edith told her, but she kept her eyes upon her son for the moment.

Ashby noticed Garrett ignored all glances that came his way, choosing to concentrate on Lissa instead.

Lissa sang with joy. The words she’d made up were simple, but the tune was sweet. Her tiny voice soared throughout the Great Hall. She seemed to grow taller as she stood there. She never faltered once.

When she finished, thunderous applause echoed in the cavernous room. Everyone present, from her family to the servants, seemed amazed how she’d opened up. She ran to Garrett and hugged him fiercely.

“You did well, Lissa. Now let us tuck you into bed.”

They went up the stairs. Edith’s gaze followed them.

“He hasn’t tucked her into bed in such a long time, Ashby. What is going on? Who is this Madeleine?”

He sighed. “I wish I could say more, Edith. I’m afraid you’ll have to ask your son.” He rose and left the room, his curiosity urging him on.

He ascended the stairs and went to Lissa’s chamber. Garrett was inside, kneeling next to his daughter at the foot of her bed.

“And God bless Papa and Aga and Ashby and Annie and Cook and my dolls. And God bless Madeleine. Amen.”

Garrett helped Lissa into bed, arranging the covers and settling her dolls around her. He leaned over and kissed her goodnight.

Ashby leaned against the wall outside the door. As Garrett exited, he fell into step with him. Casually, he asked, “So Madeleine is now your friend?”

Garrett stopped in his tracks and faced him. “All I know is that she worked a miracle today, Ash. She had Lissa playing and talking. She showed her where everything will be set up for the faire. Lissa climbed into her lap and listened to a story. Lissa sang for us and, by God’s teeth, she’s good! Then she went off to play with a boy Madeleine’s been caring for. She was . . . happy.”