Chapter Nine
And the rains came.
The frolicking in the vineyard was cut short by a storm that had blown in from the east. The wind had picked up and gray clouds blew in towards sunset, dotting the land with fat droplets.
But that was just a harbinger of things to come – in little time, darker clouds blew in that unleashed a torrent that sent Lista, Julian, Addington, and Ashton running back into the castle.
By the time they entered the courtyard, they were soaked.
With laughter and chatter, they made their way up the spiral stairs that led to the living levels three stories above the ground.
Here, there were many chambers, including guest lodgings.
Julian had a room to himself, as did Ashton, but Addington was on the level above with Lista.
There was a small adjoining chamber to Lista’s larger chamber and Addington had settled into that quite comfortably.
As Julian and Ashton dried out before the evening meal, Lista and Addington were doing the same.
Their dresses had soaked up a goodly amount of the rain, but both chambers were warm and cozy from the enormous hearths that were blazing.
Servants had put water on to boil in both hearths and the maid that usually helped Lista had brought in big pieces of drying cloths.
Thunder crashed and lightning lit up the sky as the maid helped the women peel off the wet clothing and into something warm and dry.
A servant brought warmed wine and they imbibed generously, listening to the inclement weather outside and chatting amiably.
Addington ended up sitting in front of the hearth, wrapped up in a heavy robe as Lista brushed out her dark hair, which went all the way down to her knees.
“When I get back to Pelinom, I’m going to tell Mama that we need to plant a vineyard like yours,” Addington said, sipping on her wine. “We already have orchards of apples and cherries, so we can plant grapevines, too.”
Lista continued to brush Addington’s straight, silky hair even as her own hair dried with a kink to it. “Grapes take work,” she said. “We have a man who tends our gardens and he is forever tending the grapes.”
Addington thought on that. “Then mayhap he can teach Julian how to tend grapes,” she said. “It will give him something to do when he is finished with his knightly duties. A man should have something to occupy his time.”
“And Julian has nothing?”
“Nothing but horses and his books,” Addington said. “Did he tell you that he likes to read?”
Lista shook her head. “He did not,” she said. “He has not spoken much of himself, to be truthful.”
Addington was watching the lightning flash on the other side of the oiled cloth that covered the window. “I saw you two speaking earlier,” she said. “What was he saying?”
Lista shrugged. “Nothing, really,” she said. “Cursory things. We spoke of my mother and why she is the way she is. He said I behaved like someone who had a good deal of responsibility thrust upon them and that he understood how that feels.”
Addington hesitated before speaking. “He does understand,” she said. “I know I tease Julian quite a bit, but the truth is that I love the big dolt. You would never know what a tender heart he has.”
“Does he?”
Addington nodded. “Has he spoken of our father?”
“Briefly.”
“Did he speak on his death?”
“Nay. Why?”
Addington sighed. “Because he blames himself for Papa’s death,” she said.
“He was there when it happened. It was during a battle and he tried to force Papa to go into the keep because bolts were flying over the wall, but Papa wouldn’t move.
He was struck by the bolts. I do not think Julian has ever forgiven himself for not preventing it. ”
Lista slowed her brushing. “He did not tell me that,” she said. “I heard your father died in battle against King John.”
“He did,” Addington said. “I was there. Julian was always Papa’s shadow, you see.
I have three brothers – Cole, the eldest, was always his own man.
Strong and steady. Cassian, the youngest, went away at a young age and disappeared shortly after my father died.
He was the baby and everyone doted on him.
But Julian… he’s the middle brother and I think he was always overlooked.
He is quiet and never makes a fuss, and he followed my father about like a loyal dog.
More than any of us, save Mama, I do not think he’s ever gotten over the loss of our father and when I saw him speaking to you today, I was hoping he was beginning to feel a little happiness. He hasn’t had much.”
Lista stopped brushing and came around the front of Addington, planting herself on a small three-legged stool next to the hearth.
“He said he needed to learn to laugh,” she said seriously. “That was after he told me that I needed to learn to laugh. I will be truthful with you, Addie – he seems guarded and he seems sad. Like a man who has seen much sorrow.”
Addington nodded. “He has,” she said. “He has seen more than most. Lista… it is clear to me that he likes you. As I said, Julian has known so little happiness, so if you do not like him in a romantic sense, then please do not tease him. Do not let him think there could be something between you two if there is no chance for it. I do not think he could take it because women have been cruel to him before.”
Lista’s eyes took on a warm glimmer. “I would never be cruel to him, nor would I give him hope where there is none,” she said. “I like Julian very much. He is sweet and thoughtful. But I told you… he is far above my social station. Addie, we have discussed this.”
Addington sighed sharply. “He is not above your social station,” she said flatly.
“You are perfect for him. You think he is kind and handsome and his different eyes do not bother you in the least. You are what Julian has been waiting for his entire life. Would… would you consider him for your husband?”
Lista’s eyes widened. “Me?” she said, surprised.
“Would I consider him? I would consider no one else. Although I’ve only known the man a few days, sometimes you do not need to know someone for months or years to know that you could spend a lifetime with them and it would never be enough.
But Julian is a de Velt… it means he should marry a wife who can bring him prestige. ”
“You would bring him happiness and that is far more valuable,” Addington said, grasping her hand and squeezing it.
“And look at this magnificent castle. You underestimate yourself, Lista. Any man would be proud to have you and Felkington. Please let me tell Julian that you are agreeable to a courtship. If I do not tell him, he will be too afraid to ask. You would both go to your grave feeling something for each other because Julian would never have the courage to bring it up.”
Lista frowned. “The man fights battles and he has no courage for something as simple as that?”
Addington chuckled. “He is the bravest man you have ever seen on the battlefield,” she said.
“He has that de Velt beast in him, something my father had, something that turns a man into a monster when he smells the first blood. You’ve seen how big Julian is and he uses that strength in a fight, believe me.
But he has been badly hurt by cruel women he thought were fond of him.
Do you know how it is with a horse when you raise your hand and the horse shies away because he’s afraid of being hit?
That is Julian. He is hand shy. He has been hurt before and he will not put himself in that position again. ”
Lista thought on the handsome, quiet knight she was quickly becoming very fond of. It was true that she once believed she was unworthy of him, not of his station, but she was coming to think that she may have been mistaken. Addington certainly thought so and that was enough to give her hope.
“It is very sweet of you to be so concerned for your brother’s happiness,” Lista said. “If I had a sister, I wish she would be as concerned for me as you are for Julian.”
Addington smiled. “Everyone else has left home,” she said. “It is just Julian and I left with Mama. I want to make sure he finds the right woman.”
“And you think that is me?”
“I do. I truly do.”
“After only having known me a short amount of time?”
Addington chuckled. “As you said, when you meet people, sometimes you just know,” she said. “You just know if they are good in their heart. I knew that you were good within the first few hours of knowing you. I think that I would very much like for you to be my sister.”
Lista grinned broadly. “It would be like a dream for me to have a sister like you,” she said. “And to have a husband like Julian… it is too good to be true. Addie, I have told you about my mother and aunt. How they are.”
Addington waved her off. “Julian has the patience of Job,” she said. “And you said your mother became grieved following the death of your brother, did you not?”
“That is true.”
“Mayhap, in a small way, Julian can replace him,” she said. “Mayhap she would not be so sad to have a new son in her life.”
Lista hadn’t thought of it that way. “It’s very possible,” she said. “But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, don’t you think Julian should decide if I am someone he wishes to court?”
Addington beamed. “Not to worry,” she said. “I shall ask him.”
Lista was a bit leery. “You’re sweet to want to play matchmaker, but don’t you think that’s something that Julian and I should work out between us?”
Addington took the brush from Lista’s hand and began brushing her hair with it. “You cannot ask him because it would be unseemly,” she said frankly. “And Julian will never have the courage to ask you, so you need my help. Trust me on this, Lista. I will be subtle, I promise.”
As Lista watched the young woman brush her hair, somehow, she didn’t think subtlety was one of Addington’s great virtues. She had many, but that more than likely wasn’t one of them.
Subtle as a garlic pie, Lista thought.