Chapter Six #3
“I know enough,” she said. “The woman has a recurring fever that does not seem to completely go away. Now her daughter is showing symptoms, too. I have given them both a potion of willow bark, which will ease the fever, but I suspect it is coming from a worm or an insect of some kind.”
“A disease?”
“Possibly,” she said. “I do not believe it to be contagious, but it may even be in the food they eat. I do not know.”
Cassius was studying her as she was watching her patients. By the time she turned around, she caught him looking at her and she cocked her head curiously.
“What is it?” she asked.
Embarrassed that he’d been caught staring at her, he thought he might as well be straightforward with her. He hoped they had reached some level of comfort between them, but he wasn’t entirely sure that level of comfort would be all that tolerant of what he was about to say.
He was about to find out.
Lifting a hand, he gestured at his own face.
“I was just noticing your modesty panels,” he said. “You said that you always wear them?”
Something in her eyes flickered anxiously and she lowered her gaze. “I told you that I was modest with men I do not know,” she said. “Or when I am outside of Edenthorpe for all to see. As I explained, it is my way.”
Given everything Cassius had been told about her, he knew that was the truth.
Before he made his next move, he took into account where they were – located in a tiny cottage where they were both essentially captive until the trouble at Edenthorpe was finished.
If he spoke to her now about her reasons for keeping her face covered, she couldn’t run from him.
She would have to hear him out.
Cassius honestly didn’t know why he should even bother discussing something that wasn’t his business, but there was something inherently tragic about a beautiful young woman who thought she was ugly because of the cruelties of others.
From what he had seen, Dacia was more than accomplished in many areas. She was bright and well-educated.
And… she was beautiful.
Perhaps if he told her his opinion, it might make a difference to her.
Or not.
But something was compelling him to speak.
“I understand,” he said. “But I would like to speak plainly. May I?”
She eyed him warily. “That depends,” she said. “If you are offensive, I shall tell you so.”
He nodded. “And I hope you would,” he said. “But it is not my intention to offend you. I would never knowingly offend you, Lady Dacia. I swear this to you.”
She continued to eye him. “Well, then?”
Cassius had her attention. Knowing that, he thought hard about what he was going to say. He wasn’t sure he’d ever have another opportunity to speak his mind, so he knew he had to be careful.
“We have only just met this day, my lady,” he said quietly. “But I wanted you to know what an honor it has been to come to know you. It is rare to find such a witty, educated young woman. You are a fine tribute to the House of de Ryes.”
He saw her eyes widen, just a little, as if surprised he should say such a thing. “You have my thanks,” she said. “It has been an honor to meet you, as well. In spite of our introduction.”
She looked straight to Argos, who was sleeping on his back next to the hearth.
The big dog was all stretched out, soaking in the heat.
Everyone else in the cottage was huddled up for warmth, but not Argos.
He was living the good life, warming his belly.
Cassius looked at his big, silly dog and grinned.
“I will always thank him for introducing us,” he said, returning his attention to her. His smile faded. “I want to say something more, if I may.”
“Proceed.”
He did. “Earlier this evening, when Darian came into the kitchen yard to tell you of the vassals in need, I do not know if you realized it, but you removed the apron from your face as you went into the kitchens,” he said.
“I saw your face without its covering and I realized that what I had said to you earlier was true. Mayhap you cover your face for modesty, and that is a well and good thing, for never in my life have I seen such beauty. That kind of beauty is not meant for the masses, my lady. It is meant only for the few and the fortunate who are privileged to glimpse upon it. Thank you for giving me such a vision. I shall never forget it.”
He held his breath, waiting to see which direction she would go. Would she run away in outrage? Or would she realize he meant every word?
Instead, she did the unexpected.
“It’s not true,” she breathed. “You do not have to feed me false flattery, my lord, for I know what you say is not true.”
The fear radiating from her was palpable and she began to tremble. Cassius could see it. “I do not lie, my lady,” he said steadily. “What I saw tonight was a woman of astonishing beauty. Has no one ever told you so?”
She stared at him, blinking rapidly, and her trembling grew worse. “Of course not,” she finally hissed. “For it is not… I am not… it is not true.”
“Then you are accusing me of lying?”
He had her cornered and she stood up quickly from the stool to put some distance between them. She couldn’t run, however, as he knew, so she was forced to face this conversation, as unpleasant as it was for her.
But the fear bristling in the air around her was static, like lightning.
It was everywhere.
“Sir Cassius, I know you mean well,” she said.
Even her voice was trembling. “You are trying to be polite to the duke’s granddaughter, but I am not a fool so I would appreciate it if you would simply stop telling me things because you think I wish to hear them.
I don’t, you know. I do not need to hear any of it. ”
Cassius sighed faintly. She was standing up, looking away from him and wringing her hands. He came away from the window and moved towards her, coming up behind her.
It was time for total truth.
He had a feeling this might be his only opportunity.
“My lady,” he said softly. “’Tis not idle compliments, I assure you.”
“Please… no more.”
He didn’t listen to her and for good reason. If he didn’t get it all out now, he probably never would.
He had a point to make.
“May I tell you a story?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t about to watch her crawl through a window to get away from him.
“When I first came to Edenthorpe, I was told of a young lass with a nurse who was convinced that the spots on the lass’ face were the work of the devil.
Now, I do not subscribe to the devil, or demons, or witches or curses.
I was told that the reason you wear veils over your face is because your nurse covered you as a child and you continue doing it as an adult to hide the freckles that your nurse called witch’s marks.
When I first met you, you held the apron over your face and I asked if it was because my dog had injured you.
Do you recall? You assured me that was not the case, but I will admit that I found out why you covered yourself.
And not God or king could force something out of my mouth that wasn’t the absolute truth, so when I say that I saw your face and thought it beautiful, that was nothing less than complete honesty.
I am a knight of the highest order. I do not deal in half-truths, lies and flattery simply for flattery’s sake. I swear this upon my oath.”
With that, he turned around and headed back to his post next to the window. He resumed his task of peering through the shutters at Edenthorpe in the distance, but his senses were attuned to Dacia.
He was wondering if he had made an impact.
For the longest time, he heard nothing. No movement of any kind. Then, she slowly moved to the other side of the hearth, nearer to the sleeping family, and sat down next to the fire. He could hear the chair creak when she sat.
She remained there for the rest of the night.
And so did he.