Chapter Three #2
“That is not necessary, sir. I like to visit the market by myself and take my time browsing the stalls. I shall return soon.” She quickly curtseyed to him and hurried off.
Eva didn’t think she needed protection and the market was close to the castle, so she couldn’t get lost. Apparently, the chamberlain didn’t agree and sent the page to trail her anyway.
The lad, whose hair covered his eyes, had tidy garments, and he appeared apt at his duty.
He kept a few paces behind her and so she ignored him and continued.
Eva strolled along with her basket tucked in the fold of her arm and reached the costermonger’s cart.
In rows of five, barrels sat filled with various fruits and vegetables.
She purchased her father’s favorite apples, three of them, and placed them in the basket.
They would do well for a light meal in between their mid-day fare and supper.
After she paid for the fruit, she noticed the baker’s stall next, filled with loaves of bread, covered with cloth to protect them from the rain. She bought two loaves.
She stopped to stand by a tree to situate the items she’d purchased when she noticed a man staring at her from across the lane.
Her breath caught in her throat as she peered at him.
He was a tall Highlander and a handsome one at that.
With long, light locks, he certainly portrayed the wild man image that she likened to the men from the north.
The man’s muscular body was garbed in a red plaid tartan with a thick leather belt at his hips.
A scabbard crossed his back and held a massive sword.
She lowered her eyes when he caught her looking.
Eva’s cheeks heated at her embarrassment and when she chanced to take another peek at him, she caught him watching her with vivid green eyes.
He had the most attractive face she’d ever seen on a man, lightly whiskered and shaded in the same lightness of his locks.
Hastily, she walked away, completely abashed by her forwardness. That’s when she noticed the page was gone and must’ve left her. She approached the apothecary’s stall and intended to buy something to help her father’s wheezing.
“I need a remedy for my father. He is having trouble breathing and wheezes,” she told the man who stood in front of the stall.
“I am sorry to hear that, Mistress.” The seller was an aged man who quickly gave her a medicinal for her father’s ailment.
“This tincture, Mistress, should aid him. ’Tis just spices mixed with a wee bit of plant oil.
Have him add some drops to his ale twice each day.
And take this wad of jimsonweed. Burn it in your hearth so it fills the chamber with its curative smoke. He shall be eased in no time.”
Eva took the jar and reddish-purple stems from him, paid the man, and thanked him.
Then she realized she hadn’t brought anything for herself.
She grabbed a jar from his stall table, opened it, lifted it to her nose, and took a whiff.
The mixture wafted to her and reminded her of spring when flowers bloomed. “This smells nice.”
“Oh, aye, Mistress. ’Tis a cream to soften your face, made from rose petal oil and a scoop of beeswax. Just rub it on after a wash and your skin shall be as soft as a bairn’s.”
“I shall take it.”
After paying for her purchases, she secured them in the basket and walked along the lane, admiring the many stalls she passed.
Someone startled her when they shouted behind her.
Eva turned abruptly and found the Highlander she’d seen earlier.
He stood close, holding onto the arm of a lad.
The man appeared angry as his brows furrowed and he gripped the lad as if he was about to give him a thrashing.
“Leave him be! What is the trouble…?” Before she could finish her question, the lad dislodged his arm from the man and sprinted off.
“Come back here, ye wee thief,” the Highlander shouted. But the lad disappeared beyond a group of people standing on the lane. “Ye should guard yourself, lass, against thieves,” he said huskily and handed her coin pouch back.
Eva took the pouch from him, and frowned at it.
She’d been unaware that the lad had picked it from her.
When she lifted her gaze to the Highlander, his becoming green eyes stayed on hers and caused heat to wind its way through her.
What held her spellbound was his lightly whiskered face.
He had the beginnings of a beard but it didn’t overtake the skin of his hard jaws.
His manly brows furrowed slightly as he stared back at her.
She craned her neck to look at his face and uttered, “My thanks, but I was in no need of your aid. There were only a handful of coins in the pouch, not much of a loss.”
“I was only trying to save ye from losing your coin,” he said, stepping closer.
He was intimidating not only with his height but also with the strength he portrayed. His bared arms bulged at the biceps and even his forearms were thick with muscle.
The man made no further rebuke for her carelessness.
“’Tis no wonder the lad ran off. You frightened him and should have a care how you speak to those of a tender age.
” Eva likely insulted him given his hard stare and slack-jawed expression.
She hurried away and tucked the pouch inside her overdress seam to keep it safe.
After ensuring that the Highlander hadn’t followed her, she tried to find the lad.
At the end of the lane, she spotted him. The dark-haired lad stood with a woman and he appeared to be upset. Likely the Highlander had scared the wits from him. She approached slowly so she wouldn’t cause him to flee. When she stood beside them, she overheard the lad.
“I swear, Ma, I tried but was caught,” the lad said to the woman.
Eva stepped in front of the lad. “You tried to thieve from me.”
“Oh, Mistress, I am sorry. My son…he was just trying to help me. Pray, do not call the sheriff’s men.
We meant no harm.” The woman looked as if she’d weep.
Her tattered garments, as well as the lad’s, indicated that they were vagrants.
She realized that they were an impoverished family who were probably hungry.
Eva took pity on her. “I am not here to cause trouble, ma’am. I just…” With a glance nearby, she hastened to a cart and purchased another basket. Then she removed the items she’d bought except for the bread and the apples. She returned to the woman and handed the basket to her. “Here, take this.”
The woman’s eyes widened at her with disbelief. “I…I cannot take that, Mistress.”
“Please, take it. And here, a few coins to help you get through the next day or two.” Eva collected four coins in her palm and placed them in the woman’s hand.
The woman sobbed and clutched the coins. “I do not know how to thank you, Mistress.”
“Have you no husband? Home?”
She shook her head. “My husband died fighting for the king and we were ousted from our home when I could not pay the owner. We have been in the cold for months.”
Eva commiserated with the woman. “I am sorry to hear that. Make sure your lad doesn’t thieve though. The last thing you need is for him to end up jailed. If your son needs employment, have him come to the castle. I shall tell the chamberlain to give him a job. He can earn coins to help you.”
“You would do that for us, Mistress?”
Eva nodded and turned. “Of course, I would be glad to. What is his name?”
“Thomas, Mistress.”
“Very well. Have Thomas come to the castle on the morrow. I must go now.” Eva hurried away and returned to buy more apples for her father, and bread.
After she took care of replenishing the items she’d given away, she rushed back to the castle.
The sky had dimmed and surely the late meal had been served.
Eva didn’t want to be late for her meeting with the queen, so she would find the chamberlain later to tell him about the lad.
She left the items she’d purchased in her chamber, checked on her da who continued to sleep, fixed her appearance, and rushed back to the great hall where she presumed the meeting with the queen would be held.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t noticed the muddy edge of her gown.
“Mistress Eva,” Chamberlain Edmund called from down the hallway.
“Sir,” she said and curtseyed. “I am not late, am I?”
“The queen has not come yet so nay, not late at all. Come, I will show you where to go,” he said and held out his arm.
“Queen Margaret is taking an audience in her private solar with some of her ladies in attendance and shall arrive momentarily.” He eyed the edge of her gown and smiled. “Did ye enjoy your outing?”
“I did until… Yes, the market is wonderful.” Apprehensively, Eva held onto his arm and walked next to him. She took advantage of the moment and told him about the lad and the family’s position. “They are in dire need. There must be something we can do to help them.”
“What a dreadful situation for you, Mistress. That you would offer such aid to the lad after he tried to thieve from you…”
“His father died while serving the king. Surely there is something you can do to help Thomas and his mother. Is there not a job he can do…perhaps in the stables or helping the kitchen servants? Surely the king cares about that family and their loss.” She implored him with hopeful eyes.
“I suppose so, Mistress. I could find something for the lad to do and shall look for him on the morrow,” he said and stopped. “You are a tenderhearted lass to think of them, and aye, we should do something to aid them. Here we are.” He opened a door and waved her inside.