Page 139 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
He heard Herbert’s soft chuckle as he left the room and marched across the courtyard and entered the kitchen area.
“We don’t talk about it, I tell you.” Lewis, a seasoned soldier and Angel’s father pushed past him.
Laura stood withCelia. Angel’s mother fidgeted with her apron, her face a combination of sadness and pain.
“He loved his Angel. Now, he won’t talk about her or even mourn for her.” The woman’s expression hardened. “It’s Evan. That devil. She told me everything. Everything, but mentioned nothing of his treachery. Why did she speak to him? Why didn’t she come to me or her father?” The hardened expression on the woman’s face collapsed and quivered. “Why wasn’t I there to protect her?” her voice trailed off into a hushed whisper.
The room was silent. After several longs seconds, Celia, her head bowed, let out a heavy sigh. “I was cooking and she went on and on about the wedding and examining the stones in the leather pouch he made for her. To get some peace, I sent her to the pantry for more onions. Evan came in with a barrel of ale, kissed me a good morning. I told him to put the ale in the pantry. I left for the Great Hall. The next thing I know, Mary comes running for me. She found Evan and Angel,” she let out a halting breath, “dead in the pantry.”
“I know this is difficult for you. Was there anyone else near the pantry?” Jamie asked softly. Laura’s head whipped around. What was he doing here?
“People are always about. The ale and food stores are kept there.” She started to dismiss the idea then stopped and her brows wrinkled in thought.
“No. I don’t remember who.” Celia bowed her head. “I didn’t take notice. I sent her to the pantry.” Celia raised her head and looked at them with tears ready to overflow. “I sent her to her death.”
Laura watched the woman’s blank expression, but her chin quivered and she struggled to hold back tears. Every instinct in her wanted to ease the woman’s pain, but she had no words, no actions.
“Thank you and I’m sorry for your loss,” Laura said. “I lost my brother recently and understand.” The woman’s glance snapped to Laura’s face. The pain Laura saw in Celia’s face mirrored her own. For days she played the strong one, not only for her parents and sister, but for the men at arms and villagers. Now she let her emotions rise to the surface and shared her pain with Celia in a moment of profound understanding.
Jamie stood next to her silent and supportive. After a few moments his hand gently cradled the small of her back.
“You’ll want to speak to Mary. She’s in the garden getting me some herbs.” The woman straightened with dignity. “You’ll excuse me.” Celia hurried off to the kitchen.
Laura’s pain was still there, but having shared the moment made the pain easier to bear.
She and Jamie walked to the middle of the courtyard.
“You should have waited for me before you spoke to Celia.”
“Yes, yes, I needed protection from a cook with a wooden paddle.”
Jamie’s jaw tensed visibly, she suspected it was a reaction to her tart response. She had to applaud him for having the good sense not to respond. He wouldn’t understand. She widened her eyes hoping to stop the tears hovering at the edge of her eyelids. Find Evan and Angel’s murderer consumed her.
“I hoped Celia would be able to tell us what the two argued about. She couldn’t confirm they argued. On the contrary, they were very happy. She did mention that there were others around the pantry. Someone must have heard something. We have to find them.”
They maneuvered around tables and wagons in the courtyard as people hurried to do their marketing. Laura and Jamie passed the stable on their way to the kitchen garden.
“Where were you when this happened?” Laura asked as they walked on.
“I returned from patrol and nearly ran Mary down when she rushed through the courtyard. She grabbed Captain Oliver. They ran to the kitchen, a trail of people followed behind. By the time I arrived at the pantry, you couldn’t find a place to stand.”
They stepped into a modest kitchen garden planted with herbs and flowering plants. The earth smelled rich and was mixed with the aroma of basil, chives, mint and sage.
“Good day, Mary.” Jamie and Laura strolled up to the woman.
Mary wiped the dirt from her hands on her apron, and picked up the basket of fresh picked herbs at her feet. “Good day.”
“Lord Jamie told me about Evan and Angel. Mother was upset at the news. Angel always helped her when she visited. We wanted to ask you a few questions.” Laura pushed a wayward strand of hair from her face.
“Every so often, I still see their faces, those poor children. Angel’s lifeless eyes stared up at me. Her lips tinged blue.” The woman shuddered. “Everyone loved the girl, such a light spirit. Never a nasty word or raised tone. Kind and generous she was, gave out trinkets, especially to the soldiers. A remembrance from Caerlaverock Castle she said. Evan made her a small pouch for them. He worked with the tanner for weeks, even burned an angel into the leather to make the pouch hers. She always wore it. It was around her neck when she died. They were so loving and caring to each other. I can’t believe that he killed her.”
“No raised voice? I was told a loud row was reported. That’s why you went to the pantry.” Jamie said as they started walking back to the kitchen.
“You wouldn’t be able to make out a shouting match at that time of day. That’s an active part of the house especially around mealtimes. You can’t hear yourself think from the din, especially when the men come in for a draft. I didn’t go to the pantry because of any noise. I went to get some candles. That’s when I found them.” Her body quaked as if overcome with a chill.
“There were men by the pantry?” Laura asked as they came to the kitchen door.
“Yes, three soldiers, Jermyn, Brian and Thomas were getting some ale from the barrel by the pantry when I got there. If anyone overheard an argument, it would be them.”
