Chapter Three
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh was a crowded, busy town. On the lane that meandered toward the great castle, merchants and shopkeepers lined the way.
It was market day and Eva was thrilled to see the many shops: a tailor, a cordwainer, and an apothecary.
Many people came from surrounding villages to attend and make purchases even though the rain had soaked the stalls, lanes, and items for sale.
Their carriage slowed on the muddy thoroughfare when men in knee-length tunics drove their cattle in front of them. Women bustled their children to clear the lane and some wealthier women wearing rich garments and tall-heeled shoes to avoid the muck, made no move to hurry out of the way.
People stood about, some in groups, prattling and catching up on the latest news, unmindful of the rain that dampened their garments.
A company of performers pulled a cart that held their costumes and stage, much to the children’s delight.
Eva couldn’t see enough of all the excitement.
There was so much to take in, she didn’t know where to look.
When the town crier rang his bell, many of the people scurried forth to hear his message.
She wondered what news he would announce.
How she adored market day. At home, their market couldn’t compare to the extensive sellers here in Edinburgh.
Their town’s stalls barely stretched down one side of a short lane.
This town’s shops and stalls seemed to go on to the end of the road.
If she had time, she would venture out from the castle and perhaps visit the tailor or purchase a new pair of shoes from the cordwainer.
Their carriage was pulled up the incline of the hill adjacent to the stone trestle bridge that led to the gatehouse.
Guards stood ready to intercept them, but her father’s men gave their family name and they were waved onward.
Over the cobbled stones, the carriage rocked and rolled forward until it finally came to a stop near the edge of the courtyard.
Eva’s eyes took in everything, from the flapping of the pennons atop the fortress to the large pen that kept horses secure, to the scurry of men and women attending to their tasks.
It was so thrilling and she wondered why she had prevented herself from the experience previously.
She should have traveled with her father to Edinburgh when he’d offered.
There seemed to be a liveliness to the town as if there was a buzz of anticipation in the air.
The only apprehension she had was that she’d soon be married. Even that dreadful farce and the heavy rainfall they’d contended with during their travel couldn’t put a damper on the sights and sounds of Edinburgh.
One of her father’s men opened the carriage door and set a wooden crate for her to step upon.
Eva disembarked and awaited her father. Throughout the journey, he’d continued to ail but he had improved a little before they had left for the trek.
His wheezing lessened but she could still hear it and see his chest labor with his breath.
Eva worried for him, and even more so because once she married, she’d be unable to care for him.
As they walked toward the entrance of the castle, they were met by a burly man. He hastened forward and bowed. “Lord Michael, you have arrived. And this must be your fair daughter, Mistress Eva.” He bowed again and when he straightened, he wore a smile.
“Eva, this is Chamberlain Edmund, the king’s man.” Her father staggered a bit as he bowed in return.
“Sir,” she said and curtseyed to him before taking her father’s arm to support him without letting him appear frail. Still, he somewhat leaned against her as they entered the castle with the chamberlain who walked quickly ahead of them without waiting for them to catch up.
“Welcome. I am sure you must want to take a respite from your journey and get dry from this horrid rain. Hopefully, it will cease soon. It seems to be lightening. The king will greet everyone on the morrow but the queen has asked that Mistress Eva attend her later in the evening. Follow me and we shall get you settled,” the chamberlain spoke rapidly.
Her father’s steps were sluggish and she continued to hold on to him as they crept along. The chamberlain waited for them at the end of a hallway and peered at them as if he was inconvenienced by their slow progress.
“Sir, my da is ailing and cannot walk so fast.”
“Oh, Mistress Eva, I…did not realize.” The man’s face fell, and he appeared embarrassed. “We shall take care then to go slow. Shall I have a healer fetched? I can have one of the king’s physicians attend to him.”
“He was checked over before we left for Edinburgh. My da just needs to rest.”
Her father moaned and rasped as he kept his footing. “I do not need a…healer, Edmund. Just show us to our chamber.”
She noted the concern in the chamberlain’s eyes but nodded so he would continue. Their progression through the castle led them through a myriad of corridors and past many doorways.
Eva couldn’t keep her gaze on one thing longer than a moment. The grandness of the castle made her a little envious because not only was it furnished with exquisite items, but it had regalness and elegance her own home had never attained.
Through the hallways, they continued until the chamberlain stopped at a door and motioned to the men who had trailed behind to enter. They carried their baggage and hurried to deliver it inside.
“This will be your chamber whilst you are here. There are two adjoining rooms. I deem you will be comfortable but if there is anything you need, I am here to serve you.”
Her father finally found his voice. “Our thanks, Edmund. I will rest, and daughter, you should change and make ready to visit with the queen.”
They entered and Edmund bid them farewell and closed the door. Her father pulled off his heavy cloak and moved to stand near the hearth where flames sent heat permeating through the chamber.
Eva rushed forward and took his cloak. “Why do you not take a respite here for a while? The fire will warm you.” She set his cloak on the chair opposite his before going to the door to her room.
Her antechamber was richly furnished with a wooden bed, covered with heavy tartan blankets and pillows.
On one side sat a table with a pitcher and a pewter cup.
There was a large heavily draped window that faced the gardens beyond with one chair to sit on to enjoy the view.
But a dampness swarmed the room with a musty, stale scent.
The heavily stoned walls were probably inundated with moisture from the rain.
“I am going to get ready and might visit the market—” She was interrupted when someone knocked on the door.
With quick steps, she hurried to open it.
Servants strolled in, one after another, carrying buckets of steaming water for the tub which she’d only just noticed behind a screen.
They filled the tub as a woman stopped and bowed before her.
The woman had her hair worn completely hidden by a wimple but her brows were a deep brown color that matched her eyes.
Her smile was sincere and it reached those eyes.
“Milady, I am Brenda. I am assigned as your attendant whilst you are here. I thought you might like a bath to warm yourself from your travel. Do you need my help?”
She nodded and walked toward the screen. “I would like your assistance.”
“Come, Mistress. Let us get you clean and ready to meet the queen.”
Eva undressed and stepped into the warm water.
She relaxed back but really, her stomach was in a mass of knots.
She was nervous about meeting the queen and the rest of the events to come—especially finding out who she would marry.
But she would try her best to remain calm.
It would do well for her not to panic and cause her father great embarrassment.
She didn’t take long to bathe and once she was dried, she chose the plain, dark green gown Luella had packed for her.
The maid—Brenda—assisted in pulling back her hair and twisting it in an elaborate coif.
Eva didn’t much care to have her hair braided or tied up.
She preferred it to hang loose and when necessary, be covered by a head wrap.
“There, Mistress, you do look fetching,” Brenda said as she finished.
“My thanks.” Eva dipped her head and watched the maid leave the chamber.
As soon as she had closed the door, Eva pulled the ties and braids free from her hair and fingered her tresses so they hung loosely over her back.
Then she slipped her feet into her boots and shook out her cloak to settle around her shoulders.
Eva had hoped to have a little time before meeting with the queen so she could venture out and visit the market.
By the time she finished readying, her father had fallen asleep.
She placed a woolen blanket over him and tucked it by his sides so it wouldn’t dislodge.
With a gentle kiss on his forehead, she whispered goodbye.
On her way out, she grabbed a pouch of coins from her satchel, tied it to her belt, and covered it with the fabric of her cloak.
Atop one of the trunks in the chamber, there was an empty basket that she would make use of to carry whatever she purchased at the market.
Quietly, she closed the door and walked lightly toward the castle’s exit.
When she reached the doors of the castle, she came across the chamberlain who greeted her with a smile.
“Mistress Eva, I see you ventured from your chamber. Are you leaving the castle?”
“I am…that is… Do I have enough time to visit the market?”
The chamberlain’s chin bobbed. “The queen will meet with you after the late meal. So you have plenty of time. I should send an escort with you.” He twitched a finger at a page.