Chapter Eleven #3
Dacia giggled. “It is simply that he’s the youngest of four enormous and powerful brothers,” she said.
“Titus has spent his entire life trying to live up to the deeds of Markus and Cassius and Magnus. He’s a wild lad, Titus is.
He’s quick to anger, the first man to throw a punch in a fight, and on the tournament field, he cannot be bested.
Surely you know these things about him.”
Katiana smiled weakly. “To be honest, I’ve not seen Titus in many years until just recently,” she said.
“When we last met, I was a very small girl of five years of age, and he was ten years older than I was. My brother, who is Titus’ age, had a penchant for beating me.
One night, Titus heard him and intervened.
He was my champion. My experience with him was one of great honor and compassion, so the Titus you speak of…
I’ve seen glimpses of him, but I’ve not had much experience. ”
Dacia appeared slightly contrite. “Then I have said too much,” she said. “I did not mean to give you a bad impression of Titus. He’s the lifeblood of his family. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loves. He’s very loyal and thoughtful.”
“I can well believe it,” Katiana said. “But between you and me, I saw evidence of the wild boy you speak of only a few days ago.”
“Is that so?”
Katiana tried not to burst out laughing.
“We were at a faire outside of Leicester, and as we passed a puppet show, the puppets started throwing sweets to the children watching the performance,” she said.
“Titus liked the sweets and wanted me to fight a young boy who had collected many of them. He wanted the boy’s hoard of delights. ”
Dacia snorted. “That is the Titus we know and love,” she said. “Some things never change, but I am delighted to hear it. And I am delighted he brought you to Edenthorpe. I’m only sorry that you cannot stay longer.”
Katiana was touched. Already, she liked Dacia, a woman who was showing her genuine warmth and kindness. “Thank you, my lady,” she said. “I am sorry I cannot stay longer, too. I do not have many friends, so this is an unexpected treat.”
“Then you shall have to come back and stay with us,” Dacia said. “Will you come?”
“I would be honored.”
“Good,” Dacia said, happy. “We can visit and go into town and spend money at the merchants’ stalls. There is a man with the most marvelous perfumes. If you like that sort of thing, that is.”
“I love it.”
“Can you read?”
“I can, very well.”
“Excellent!” Dacia was clearly thrilled. “My grandfather accumulated a vast number of books during his lifetime. Mayhap you would like to read some of his books, and then we can discuss them. You may as well know I have a love of reading.”
“That suits me perfectly,” Katiana said. “Did your grandfather collect anything on music? Books or compositions?”
“I’m not sure,” Dacia said. “Why? Are you a musician?”
Katiana nodded. “I am,” she said. “I can play the harpsichord and sing. I’ve also written songs from time to time.”
Dacia was fascinated. “How very clever of you,” she said.
“You must come back very soon, and we’ll go through everything my grandfather has to see if there is anything about music.
I do not have a harpsichord, but our church has a ponere.
It is a small organ with pipes and bellows. The sound is beautiful.”
Katiana nodded. “Westminster Abbey has one as well,” she said. “I’ve heard it many times. I would love to see the one in your church sometime.”
“How exciting,” Dacia said. “I’m so happy Titus brought you here. I think we shall get on splendidly.”
Katiana grinned. “I agree,” she said. “I am looking forward to returning at a time of your convenience.”
“We shall make plans before you leave,” Dacia said. “I realize that will be tomorrow morning, but we can speak on it now and then correspond once you return to Callerton. Do you expect to stay long?”
Katiana shrugged. “I do not know,” she said. “I would hope not. I prefer to return to London as quickly as I can.”
“Then I shall send word to you in London,” Dacia said. “Where do you live?”
“At the home of Lady Ethyl de Edington on Coleman Street.”
“I shall remember. In fact, I shall—”
A knock on the door interrupted her, and both women turned to see a servant standing in the doorway.
“What is it, Abie?” Dacia said.
The male servant stood respectfully out in the corridor. “His lordship asks you to join him in the hall, my lady,” he said.
Dacia looked at Katiana and lifted her shoulders. “The men have summoned us,” she said. “I can tell them that you are resting, if you like. You do not need to go down until you are ready.”
Katiana stood up, but as she did so, she noticed the very dusty traveling dress she was wearing. “I would like to change my garment,” she said. “Poor Titus has had to look at me in this dusty mess for days. It would be nice to wear something that wasn’t covered in dirt.”
Dacia was on her feet. “Of course, my lady,” she said. “May I help you?”
“Surely you should not trouble yourself.”
Dacia flashed a grin at her and moved to the bed where her satchel was sitting. “What do you have?” she said. “Open up your bag and let us look through your things.”
Katiana chuckled. “You will be sorely disappointed,” she said. “Titus would only let me bring one bag, so I do not have anything pretty with me. I wish it were not so. I would so like to look… presentable.”
She almost didn’t finish the sentence, perhaps thinking she sounded too silly, but Dacia caught on. She could see that Katiana wanted to look pretty, and she suspected why.
She’d seen the way Titus had looked at Katiana when they were first introduced.
“I think I have something that would fit you,” she said, looking her over. “I’m a little shorter than you are, but I’m sure I have something. It would be nice to look lovely for an evening, wouldn’t it? I am sure you haven’t had much opportunity, traveling as you have. Wait here and I will return.”
Katiana watched her rush off. Perhaps the least bit excited that she might have something lovely to wear for Titus, she quickly went about washing and grooming for the evening.
She didn’t want to put her dirty, sweaty, travel-weary body into Lady Doncaster’s beautiful dress, so she went back to the basin of water and the lavender soap.
Using the cloths that had come with the food to cover it, she washed every part of her body that she could reach whilst still wearing her shift.
The traveling dress had come off, and the kirtle beneath, leaving her in the fine linen shift, which was then pushed around as she washed arms, legs, underarms, and other areas that needed it.
Once that was finished, she hurried back to her satchel to collect her combs and pins.
Katiana’s hair was long and straight, but there was texture to it.
The dark blonde color was bronze in certain light, nearly the same color as her eyes.
She had a small traveling mirror, a little thing made out of polished bronze, and she inspected herself as she combed her hair furiously, finally pulling the hair around her face back and braiding it.
Then she pinned it up, like a bun against the back of her head, with the pins she brought.
She was very nearly finished when the chamber door opened again, and Dacia appeared with a garment that was dark red and silky.
One look at Dacia’s face and Katiana knew she was going to love it.
Hopefully, Titus would, too.