Page 93 of While Angels Slept
The physic glanced over his shoulder at the body in the corner. “She is,” he replied. “A few days at most, maybe hours.”
“Has she awakened? I was told she was unconscious.”
The physic nodded. “She awakened a short time ago and we were able to feed her some broth,” he replied, returning his attention to Cantia. “Does the earl know you are here? I cannot imagine he would let you come here and risk your health.”
Cantia tore her gaze off the supine bundle, her eyes flashing as she looked at the physic.
“You will mind your own business,” she snapped. “If you tell him I was here, I will make sure you are thrown out on your ear.”
The physic lifted a hand in supplication and returned his attention to whatever he had been doing when she had entered the hut. Cantia, however, was unforgiving. She didn’t want an audience for what she was about to do. She didn’t want anyone witnessing what was likely to be a very emotional moment, gossip fodder to be spread throughout Rochester.
“Get out,” she commanded. “Get out this instant.”
The physic set his implements down and, without question, vacated the shack. The serving wench quickly followed. When the door swung shut behind them, Cantia returned her attention to the woman in the corner.
What am I doing here?The thought kept rolling around in Cantia’s head as she approached the bed. She still didn’t really know. As sunlight streamed in between the gaps in the walls, filtering in through the musty shadows, she came to a halt next to the straw mattress, gazing down at the partially-covered face.
The woman was breathing heavily. She could hear it. A wet cloth covered her nose and mouth, and Cantia reached down, gingerly took a corner, and pulled it off. The features of the woman were fair, if not somewhat plain, but she could see Arabel in the shape of the face. There was also a big dimple in the woman’s chin, just like her daughter. Aye,the more Cantia stared, the more she could see the resemblance. Her heart began to pound.
“Louisa?” she whispered, paused, then whispered loudly. “Lady Louisa? Can you hear me?”
The woman twitched, drawing in a deep breath that brought rowels from her chest. Cantia stood back somewhat, not wanting to get too close, but she made sure she was close enough that the woman could see her. She tried again.
“Lady Louisa,” she said in a normal speaking tone. “Can you hear me? Please awaken.”
The woman twitched again. It took two more tries from Cantia to rouse the woman until, finally, the eyelids lifted. The eyes were only slightly open, however, and Cantia bent down so she could meet the woman’s muddled gaze. Dark eyes finally fixed on her.
“Lady Louisa?” she said, more gently. “Are you Lady Louisa?”
The woman just stared at her. Then, she shifted slightly, trying to lift her head when she realized a very beautiful pregnant woman in fine garments was speaking to her. But she was so very, very weak, her life all but drained from her by the disease that was swiftly consuming her. All she could do was lay upon the straw and gaze, weakly, at the very fine lady.
“Qui vous est?” she rasped.
Who are you?Cantia replied to her in French. “My name is the Lady Cantia Penden,” she replied. “I am the Lady of Rochester Castle, and you have been brought to us. Are you Louisa of Hesse?”
The woman continued to stare at her. Cantia waited, with bated breath, for a response, but none was immediately forthcoming. It was evident that the woman was too weak to carry on a conversation. Finally, the dark eyes closed. Cantia waited a nominal amount of time before realizing she might not receive an answer. As she debated on whether or not to leave, the woman spoke.
“J’étais, une fois,” she whispered.I was, once. She continued in French. “Now I am the wind. I will blow away until I exist no longer.”
Cantia listened to the barely-audible words. “Do you know why you have been brought to Rochester?” she asked softly.
There was a very long pause. “I do not know. Men came to my home and took me away but they did not tell me why. I can only ask that you allow me to die in peace.”
“No one has told you anything?”
“No.”
Cantia considered what she would say next very carefully. “You have been brought to Rochester because your husband and daughter are here,” she said quietly. “You were brought here as a favor to me.”
The woman didn’t react for a moment. Then, the eyes opened again, only this time, they opened wider. The woman actually appeared lucid. The pasty face registered an expression for the first time.
“My…?” she whispered. “My… child is here?”
Cantia lowered herself to sit on the ground so the woman wouldn’t strain herself looking up at her. The conversation was difficult enough already. Several feet away, she sat on her bum in her fine surcoat and faced the woman.
“I want you to listen to me and listen carefully,” she demanded. “Can you do this?”
The woman was hesitant at first but eventually nodded, as much as she could muster. “I can.”
