Page 92 of While Angels Slept
Val knew he was right but she didn’t like his answer. Val had been watching out for Tevin for many years, as the younger sister to apowerful brother. There was something vulnerable about Tevin in her eyes and her protective instinct for him had only gotten worse when Louisa had deserted him and their month-old infant. She could feel her anger rise.
“You were not there when that… that woman discarded Tevin and Arabel like so much rubbish,” she said, pointing angrily in the direction of the smithy shack. “She ran off with another knight, a man from her homeland. She never wanted to be married to Tevin but she went through with the marriage anyway, eventually leaving him with a sick baby and humiliating him. I know my brother can handle himself in any situation but it does not stop the sense of protection I have for him and for Arabel. I have tried very hard not to hate Louisa for what she did but right now, all I can feel is fury.”
Myles was calm as he watched her. “Then what would you have me do with her?” he asked softly. “Do you want me to dump her in a church somewhere, with a charity where she will be cared for until she dies? Do you want me to send her away from Rochester to save your brother and Arabel’s feelings?”
Some of Val’s fury seemed to abate and she grew uncertain. “Tevin already knows she is here.”
“He does, but he is not sure it is Louisa. He said you would know for sure. Would you lie to your brother and tell him it is not Louisa and we can simply rid her from Rochester?”
More of her fury took a dousing. After a moment, she shook herself, struggling to calm.
“Nay,” she muttered, averting her gaze. “I would not lie to my brother, no matter how much I want to protect him. He should make the decision on what to do with Louisa.”
“Then let us go and tell him the truth. Louisa has indeed returned.”
Reluctantly, Val agreed.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Tevin had told hernot to go near the smithy shack, but Cantia wasn’t so sure that she was inclined to obey him. After he had told her of Gillywiss’ appearance and the subsequent unveiling of a dying Louisa, Cantia had moved from the realm of disbelief and shock to one of complete astonishment. She could hardly believe what she was hearing, torn between bewilderment and jealousy. But that didn’t compare to what Tevin was feeling.
So she pushed aside her emotions to comfort Tevin, who seemed truly shaken and bordering on despondence. It wasn’t so much for himself but for his daughter, and he and Cantia and Val had spent two solid hours attempting to determine how to tell the young woman that her mother, on her deathbed, had returned. It was a touchy and understandably emotional subject, with Tevin feeling quite protective of his daughter, wanting to shield her from the woman who had hurt her so badly. But he ultimately decided that he had to, in good conscience, tell her, and Tevin and Val went to Arabel’s room to inform her of Louisa’s arrival. That was the last Cantia had seen of them.
As the afternoon waned into shades of purple dusk, Cantia stood at the window overlooking the north portion of Rochester’s bailey, her gaze on the smithy shacks all lined up against the outer wall. She knew Louisa was in one of them and, unlike the rest of the family, had no previous emotional investment in the woman. She was deeply curious.
Rubbing her belly as the baby kicked, she turned away from the window and headed down the steep spiral stairs to see how the evening meal was progressing. Clad in a rich, heavy brocade coat of emerald silk and a feather-soft shift the color of eggshells beneath it, she was warm and richly dressed, looking elegant and radiant, and every inch an earl’swife.
Cantia passed the level that contained Arabel and Hunt’s chambers, pausing to peek into her son’s room. Hunt was on the floor with the dog lying close by, playing with little toy soldiers made from sticks of wood. The past several months had been an adjustment for him with both his father and grandfather gone, but he had adapted.
All Hunt knew of Charles’ absence was that his grandfather had gone on an extended journey and he had accepted the explanation as it had been carefully delivered by Tevin, but the truth was that he really wasn’t particularly lonely. Now he had Arabel to play with and the two of them were very companionable. Arabel wasn’t with him today, however, so he played alone. When he caught sight of his mother, he jumped up and ran to her.
“Mam,” he grabbed her hand. “I am hungry. Isth it time to eat yet?”
She smiled at her little boy. “It is,” she said. “Would you like to come with me to the kitchens?”
He nodded eagerly, pulling her from the chamber but easing up by the time they hit the stairs. He had been repeatedly reminded, and warned, of his mother’s pregnancy and was properly careful, at least as much as a five year old could be. He ended up trying to help his mother down the last few steps, being a gentleman, but the moment she was off the stairs, he was yanking her from the keep.
Cantia fought off a grin as she allowed her eager son to tow her out into the yard. She found herself looking about, trying to catch a glimpse of Tevin or Val or even Myles, but everyone seemed to have vanished. Not particularly concerned, she returned her attention to Hunt only to catch a glimpse of the smithy shacks off to her right. They lingered in a cluster, run down, and somewhat foreboding. There was darkness there. Her curiosity had the better of her and she let go of Hunt’s hand.
“Go into the kitchen and tell Cook that you would like some bread,” she instructed. “Tell her I will be there in a moment.”
Hunt cocked his head curiously. “Where are you going?”
Cantia answered indirectly. “I will be there shortly. Go, now. Do asI say.”
Hunt watched his mother head off towards a collection of seldom used stalls, but that was as far as his curiosity went. His rumbling belly had him turning for the kitchen and the alluring smell of fresh baked bread.
Cantia approached the shelters, her pace slowing. She grew more wary with each passing step, glancing around to make sure Tevin wasn’t somewhere nearby. She knew he would become angry at her for disobeying him, but she felt an inexplicable pull to see the woman he had married. She understood clearly that the woman was dying and, in a small way, perhaps Cantia wanted to see for herself. She wanted to see this woman who had birthed Arabel and then had abandoned her family. Beyond that, she really wasn’t sure why she wanted to see her, only that she did. Something strong and unseen was pulling her in that direction.
Two of the shacks were empty but she could hear movement in the third. Cantia paused, listening to the low hum of conversation, wondering if she should come back another time. As lady of Rochester, however, she had every right to know who was within her castle, or at least she told herself that. She had every right to be here. Squaring her shoulders, she opened the rickety old door.
The old physic was inside along with a serving woman from the kitchens. Cantia recognized her. Both of them turned to look at the lady of Rochester standing regally in the door opening.
“My lady,” the physic greeted. “What are you doing here? You should not be jeopardizing the child so in the same room as a sick woman.”
Cantia’s eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness as she stepped into the doorway, her gaze moving across the dim chamber until she came to rest on a lumpy jumble in the corner. It smelled old and dank, mingling with the sharp scent of vinegar.
“I heard about this woman and came to see her,” she said, wondering how much the physic knew about the identity of his patient. “Is shereally dying?”
