Page 65 of Suddenly a Bride
As Langston shook off Edmund’s hand and turned toward the fire, shoulders slouched, Edmund shook his head. “Go find your bed, Mrs. Haskell. My thanks for your help. I shall see you in the morning.”
Geoff followed the housekeeper out, turning about to grin at Edmund before leaving the great hall. When they were alone but for the soldier, Langston tried to walk away.
“Not yet,” Edmund said. “I can see now that I made a mistake in not setting out the rules immediately.”
“What rules? I work until the money is paid back—or until my parents send you the sum. I’m sending them a letter first thing,” he said smugly.
“You do that. The sooner I have my money, the sooner I can be rid of you. But until then, you’re to work for me for three months.”
“Three months!” Langston said with belligerent defensiveness. “That fine was paltry, and surely my work is worth more than that! I say one month.”
“Unless you are a skilled craftsman, you have no more worth to me except as a strong back.”
“I could train your soldiers.”
“I have lieutenants with war experience for that. Have you even been in battle?”
His face reddened.
“I thought not. So what do you know how to do, besides chase helpless, frightened girls?”
“I thought she wanted me to!”
For a moment, Edmund saw shame and bewilderment in the young man’s eyes. How old was he—had he even seen twenty years? And what else should he have expected from the son of Earl Langston?
“Then I have your word that this will not happen again?”
Langston nodded sulkily.
“Very well, I’ll give you another chance. And you will work for three months. But if you cause trouble again, you shall live in the barracks with the soldiers.”
Langston shuddered.
“Tomorrow I expect you up at dawn ready to work.”
“What will I be doing?” he asked with fading bravado.
“For now, hauling masonry. We’re repairing the castle walls.”
“But—”
“Do not protest, or I’ll set you to scrubbing privies.”
Langston nodded hastily. “Might I return to my bedchamber now?”
“You may,” Edmund said, watching as the man hurried from sight, followed by the guard.
~oOo~
Gwyneth was waiting for her husband when he came down to the morning meal. She gave him an easy smile and sat down at his elbow as if he had not upset her last night. She made some casual remarks about their journey to Richmond, hesitated, and then finally took a deep breath.
“Edmund, I received a letter from my family yesterday, the first since I’ve been here.”
“You must have been relieved to hear from them.”
“At first, yes. But I am so worried about them—especially for their future. My father’s health is not good, although he always insists he is fine.” She tried not to let her stinging eyes give way to tears. She was a failure as a wife, and she did not want to be so as a daughter. “Edmund, might I ask you a favor?”
When he nodded, she wet her lips. “My sisters and I never had luck finding husbands because my father could offer no dowry. Well, that is not quite true, because there was a merchant interested in me.”
