Open (11 page)

“
I know what
you say is true, how can I not? I abide by what I must do, I study
hard, and soon enough I
’
ll
be sent away. I
’
m aware of
the efforts made to make me saleable. Then I will marry and perhaps
bring a strong ally to our House. But why
can
’
t I also have something
for myself? Something I can do good with? It is not unusual for
ladies to pursue gardening, it is a well respected sport for us
Danuans. So why can
’
t I
learn? I
’
m not proposing to
run off to dedicate to Balm Springs or
anything.
”

“
You
’
re not? Because
that would truly be folly. Is that why you keep sneaking off? And
why you stay up half the night writing?
”

“
Yes, yes!
Would you like to see?
”

Mera arrayed
some her papers before Tansy, and she was soon lost in the
contents. Pointing out diagrams of particular herbs and describing
their properties to her, telling her of the tea she had made for
her mother. At one point she was denouncing the use of Gladwin by
women, who used it to make sure that they were not with child,
explaining that it had a vigorous effect on the womb, essentially
forcing a woman
’
s time, with
prolonged use it could actually make a woman barren.

“
I overheard
some of the scullions once, can you believe that
it
’
s what the healers
recommend? I mean I suppose it does the job,
but
…”

Tansy had
gone red, at the talk of men and women laying together she
supposed. It pleased Meredith to show her knowledge. Maybe she
would take her more seriously, and with the subject know she
wasn
’
t such a child! She was
nearing thirteen after all.

“
So what are
you supposed to use?
”

“
Well, there
are a few different ones that do the job, but the best is thistle
to prevent and wild carrot in the fertile time, can you believe it?
Almost all gardens have it in abundance. Hypericum used to be known
as a soldier
’
s best friend,
because it prevents laying illnesses and diseases. Celandine sap
for warts, with lemon balm and liquorice. Prunella if its virulent.
Horrible, isn
’
t
it.
”

“
Mera! I
can
’
t believe you know of
such things!
”
Tansy had a
healthy blush now, but could stop the grin from creeping across her
face. There was also a considering light in her eyes.
“
Well, it seems you really are
serious about this then. I suppose you are right in that
it
’
s a suitable hobby for a
lady
…
well perhaps not how
to treat venereal disease. But as long as you tell me when you are
going off, and don
’
t let it
interfere with anything else, then I
can
’
t see that
it
’
s such a problem. Are the
woods safe?
”

“
Oh yes, of
course they are, they
’
re the
Kings
’
Woods. I
don
’
t go out on hunt days,
and hardly anyone uses those, people only really forage the very
edges. Oh, thank you Tansy, thank you!
”
She had been so worried that Tansy would pry
more or forbid her from going alone, or even make her ask her
parents
’
permission first.
They would definitely ask more questions and probably tell her
no.

“
Where were
you off to anyway? I see you ate your lunch.
That
’
s good, you missed
breakfast.
”

“
I was going
to see Mother and take her the tea I made, and the honey and
fortifying wine, then to my lesson with Tomas, then I had to go to
the library-
”

“
Princess!
Have you not seen your self? And this is another reason you need to
tell me where you are. If I don
’
t keep an eye on you people will start mistaking you for
some pauper
’
s
child!
”
So saying Tansy
turned her around, her hands on
Mera
’
s shoulders, and pushed
her toward a mirror.

Her hair was
windswept, bits of twig and leaves caught up in it, stains from her
soup about her face and ink on her cheek. That must have been from
last night. Her clothes were rumpled with dirt smudged in, her
stockings still damp and spattered with mud. What would her mother
have said! Tansy had been watching her reaction and burst out
laughing.
“
I
’
ll draw you up
some hot water, you need to wash and change.
You
’
ll have to get straight
to Master Tomas after, or you
’
ll be late. You
’
ll
have to visit her Highness
’
tomorrow.
”

Mera felt anxiety sink, yet again she would
be too busy to see her mother.

“
I had heard
that her Highness had been troubled by the babe all morning.
Nothing is wrong but that and sitting through a meeting with the
ambassador tired her, so she has retired to her suite to seek bed
rest. All are being turned away from her door. Perhaps
it
’
s for the best, she
wouldn
’
t turn you away but
she needs her rest, hey.
”

With that she turned into the bathing room,
the sound of the pump flowing out a moment later. Mera looked at
her reflection, not really liking what she saw. Sighing heavily she
turned away to put away her papers.

Llew threw
himself back onto his pallet and scowled at the ceiling. The
gardeners had heard the commotion and told Mistress Thistle, the
noble girl
’
s governess. She
was the one who had found them, or as she put it,
‘
caught them neck deep in their
deviousness
’
. She had
marched them all back to the training yards, lined them up and sent
for Captain Madder. While they had waited she gave them lessons on
the correct etiquette that should be observed between the little
lords and ladies.

“
... the
virtues of cleanliness and honesty, the blessings of propriety, and
how utterly and irrevocably disgraceful it is when such foundations
of correct behaviour are ignored!
”

Some of the
girls had started to cry, but only half heatedly. Mostly they
didn
’
t seemed perturbed by
Mistress Thistle at all, and when Llew realized this he
wasn
’
t quite so intimidated
by her. Of course, he would never admit he was intimidated in the
first place. Whenever Mistress Thistle marched past Violet she
would roll her eyes at Holly, who was turning bright red with the
effort of suppressing her giggles. Which occasionally escaped in
little hiccups.

“
I am
unfortunately aware of how difficult boys find this as it was their
nature to be horrible, but such impulses have to be blessedly
controlled!
“

All of this was shouted very shrilly, spat
from a mouth puckered with disdain.

Soon Madder
arrived, limping onto yards. He was already aware of what had come
to pass, and soon set about getting the details. Llew had stepped
forward and told him how it was his idea, but was cut short by
Mistress Thistle
’
s squawk of
indignation.

“
Rosalind
Herself weeps at your temerity, boy!
”

Soon enough they found out it was the girls
who had set about the second attack with the middens. Captain
Madder and Mistress Thistle had joined together in dressing them
down, and giving out punishments. Madder gave the boys a lecture on
how to respect the fairer sex, how it was their duty to protect
them, and also to respect the labour that went into making and
caring for their garments. So he told the boys they would be
working with the laundry servants for an hour at lunch, and two
hours at the end of the day, for a week. And an added punishment
for Llew, as he was the leader, he would now have a room in the
pages wing instead of his own apartments.

The girls had
smirked at their punishment but were cut short by Mistress
Thistle
’
s sharp voice. The
girls got a lecture on how to behave like ladies, not common bred
hoodlums, and how to respect the labour of those whose job it was
to maintain the Gardens. So their punishment was to help maintain
the pathways and weeding, for the same duration as the boys
punishment, as well as clean up the mess they had made.

Llew could not help the smug smile at the
memory of the girls on hands and knees cleaning up the middens they
had slopped everywhere. Almost made the boys punishment worth
it.

Doing laundry was tougher work than he
imagined it would be. The women in charge were a rough bunch and
were always laughing at the boys and making crude jokes at their
expense. At first Llew had been infuriated by this, but after a
couple of days he could understand why. They only managed to do a
tenth of what those women could do in the same amount of time, and
were completely clueless to the varying and complex needs of
different fabrics. Those women also had arm muscles that were
bigger than most soldiers. It was tough, dirty work and they knew
it. It just made them prouder of their skills and willingness to
tough it out and earn some bread. Llew grudgingly started to feel
immense respect for them.

There were
some plus sides, many servants made reasons to pop by, to see the
Prince Heir and nobles
’
sons
working like servants. Llew knew they were probably snickering
behind their hands at him so he became determined not to let
himself down, or his father. And, well, some of those servants were
pretty little maids and kitchen boys who fluttered there eyes at
him.

He sighed at the memory of those smiles, the
steam causing their hair to cling in tendrils to the forehead, and
neck. The white linen blouses that clung and became slightly see
though. Soon he drifted into sleep, dreaming pleasant dreams of
flashing eyes and rosy smiles.

Llew slouched
on his bench, Gos and Lantana to either side of him. When they had
arrived in the Great Hall to attend their lesson with the scarecrow
they had a surprise waiting for them. Girls. And not just any
girls, Meredith was there as was
Holver
’
s sister, Holly. Who
was just as little and round as Holver, Llew thought, though she
had a more delicate face. Benches and desks had been set up,
seating three each, two rows of boys next to two rows of girls. The
scarecrow sat at the head of these rows, to one side of one of the
great hearths. He sat and read, not paying them any attention
whilst everyone took their seats. Always before he had taught just
the pages, in his own apartments. Llew knew he was also teaching
Mera, but it had always been at different times. Now suddenly they
were thrust together, with a bunch more girls as well. Llew
recognised them, they were all daughters of noble houses, though he
didn
’
t know any of them that
well as they were usually attached to their
mother
’
s skirts. Gos leaned
over to whisper conspiratorially in his ear.
“
What
’
s going on,
Llew? Do you think they
’
re
going to join us? Do you think it
’
ll be every lesson? Has the Princess said
anything?
”

“
How would I
know? Mera hasn
’
t said
anything, why would I want to talk to her? And it looks like
they
’
re joining us, that
much is obvious. But why?
”

Holver leaned
forward from the bench behind them, psssting them loudly.
“
I knew Holly was acting up, she
kept saying she knew a secret, said it was going to be a surprise.
I over heard her and mama talking about how girls should know as
much as boys, so reckon they will be staying. It
won
’
t be that bad, will it?
I mean, at least now we probably
won
’
t have to answer as many
questions. Right?
”

Llew pulled a
face at him.
“
Great, now
we
’
re not just stuck with
the scarecrow, we
’
ve got to
put up with a bunch of girls talking about hair and love and stupid
stuff!
”