Chapter Fourteen
Rosalind woke the next morning with heavy eyes and a heavier heart.
She’d remained in bed long after the sun was up, and she pondered if claiming illness and lying in bed all day was justified in light of her circumstances.
Her gaze wandered up to the ceiling, and there it remained as she tried not to think at all.
The sound of delightful screams and shrieks broke her reverie.
She knew the children were up and most likely giving Marta fits in the kitchen.
She knew she couldn’t lie there any longer.
She threw back the covers, and the cold air from the room invaded her warm sanctuary.
A small gasp escaped from her mouth. She’d heard Ridley come in earlier and stoke the fire, but the flames had died since.
Rosalind donned her day dress, woolen stockings, and shoes, and not feeling like fussing with her hair, she combed it out quickly and fashioned a simple braid that fell across her right shoulder.
A glance into her mirror revealed eyes that were swollen and puffy, so she splashed some cold water onto her face from the water basin beside her wardrobe.
She then took a deep breath, and satisfied that she looked presentable, rushed downstairs and into the warm kitchen.
Despite the loud yells she’d heard earlier, the scene in the kitchen was calm and peaceful, and she now understood why.
Marta stood with her back to the stairs and bent over the counter, kneading a large mound of dough, preparing it for its first rise.
The fire in the hearth burned bright, and the iron stew pot was already suspended over the flames from the heavy trammel hooks and crane that swung in and out of the fireplace.
Marta had been extra-productive, obviously because at the table the children were looking awestruck at Alden.
He held their attention so intensely that Luella’s mouth was hung open, and her spoon, heavy with porridge, was suspended in mid-air.
Devlin sat at the far end of the table, his arms crossed and a faint smirk tugged at his mouth.
“…the shrieks from the barn were so terrifying—I’ll never forget that sound, I knew the stock were in trouble. I ran as fast as I could down the hill, but the snow and ice were packed thick and hard and I slid after only a few steps. And then I saw it as I rolled down the hill!”
Alden paused for dramatic effect, but Kaylyn couldn’t stand the suspense, “Saw what, Mr. Alden? What was it?”
Luella, now with a mouth full of porridge, said loudly, her words almost indecipherable, “It was the bear! I know it was!”
Alden took a bite of a scone, swallowed, and returned to his tale.
“You are right, little mistress. It was the biggest brown bear I had ever seen. Its mouth was wide open, drool dripped from each long fang, and it growled and howled like nothing I’d ever heard.
As I slid toward my doom, the beast stood up on its back legs and was taller than I am. ”
Alden paused again, and all three children froze and stared, waiting for him to continue.
“The bear roared and I feared I couldn’t stop my rapid descent down the hill toward the stable. I tried digging my heels in the ground, but the soil was frozen solid. I rolled over and used my hands to grab anything that would stop my slide into the jaws of death.”
A huge sigh came from Devlin, and he rolled his eyes and started to interrupt.
Alden turned away from the children and addressed Sir Devlin. “I beg your pardon, sir,” Alden admonished his friend, “this is my story to tell.”
“That’s right, Mr. Devlin!” Luella concurred. “Shut your yapper! Let him finish. I want to hear what happened next!”
Rosalind gasped, and said firmly but softly, “And that will be enough from you, Luella. I think we’ve heard enough of this tale for now. Besides, it’s time for your lessons—past time.”
The children groaned collectively, but they didn’t argue.
“Finish your porridge, and I’ll see you upstairs shortly.”
Rosalind fixed her own bowl of porridge, took a chunk of bread, and slathered on some butter. The children, now finished, left the room and raced up the backstairs, laughing and making bets on who would reach the solar first.
“To have even a smidge of their energy!” Marta exclaimed. “I’d have the cooking and cleaning done by mid-morning!”
Rosalind laughed and nodded “I am with you, Marta! So why didn’t you send one of the girls to wake me? You didn’t have to manage them alone while I slept the day away.”
Marta smiled and answered, “Oh, but I didn’t. Sir Devlin and Mr. Danby entertained the children while I got their breakfast ready. The story was quite engaging, don’t you think?”
“Yes, quite.” She turned to the two men. “Truly, I appreciate the extra rest, but I don’t want you burdened with taking care of the children. You have your own tasks to see to.”
“I had promised the children a story, milady, and so I took the opportunity to amuse this special audience with a chronicle of my exceptional fearlessness when faced with impending death,” Alden said.
Rosalind managed a smile, her heart warmed by the gesture.
“And I shall finish my account of this harrowing experience this evening if you allow, Lady Rosalind.”
Rosalind nodded. “I don’t think the children would have it any other way, Mr. Danby. And I look forward to the conclusion as well.”
Devlin grunted from his place across the table, “I wouldn’t wait in anticipation, milady. I fear you will be disappointed.”
Alden gasped in feigned insult. “I won’t sit for a minute longer and have my character besmirched by the likes of you, sir.
I shall take my leave and suggest you not join the children and me after the evening meal.
Your sour mood will put a damper on our evening’s festivities.
” Alden then stood and bowed to Rosalind, kissed Marta’s hand, thanked her for breakfast, and finally gave Devlin a salute as he exited.
Rosalind giggled. “The children will certainly miss Mr. Danby when you both leave. His cheerful mood is contagious.”
“Yes, he should change occupations. I’ll check to see if there is a need for a court jester when I return,” Devlin replied dryly and shook his head.
Rosalind’s small smile faded as she thought about Devlin leaving.
She knew that even with the best outcome, he would leave Capell Manor and likely never return.
“We will know what the king decides to do about my uncle’s death and about me soon.
However, Lord Edmond’s corpse lies in the barn, and that alone is rather unsettling, so if there’s no reason why we can’t bury him, I don’t see a need to wait any longer.
Did Mr. Kelley have any objection to a funeral? ”
“He did not. He studied the body and came to the same conclusion that I had. There wasn’t anything there that gave us any clues.”
“So, he also found nothing, then?”
“Nothing at all. So, how would you like to proceed?”
“We will keep it simple, and we won’t waste time. I’ll send Ridley with an announcement to the village. We’ll have a short service in the chapel tomorrow and he will be buried in the family cemetery, next to his father.”
“Are there any other relatives to notify?”
“No. My uncle and I are all that’s left of the Capell line.”
“Good, this matter can be taken care of quickly. Does the village have a priest?”
“Father William serves the local village, along with three others. I hope we can locate him. I would rather not have a delay.”
“Agreed, but Edmond will keep. The weather will remain cool enough, and when Ridley goes to the village, he can find the priest.”
Rosalind shuddered as she thought about her uncle’s body lying wrapped securely in the stable, and she searched deep within herself to discover an inkling of remorse or sadness.
But there wasn’t a shred of sentiment for the man.
In spite of the turmoil that had come with the arrival of Sir Devlin and Alden, then Roland’s absurd claims, and even Mr. Kelley, who could play a pivotal role in her future, life at the manor was much calmer since her uncle disappeared.
She prayed a quick prayer for forgiveness, but she was thankful he was gone.
“I will send Ridley to the village immediately following his lessons.”
Marta chimed in, “What about a meal after the service, milady?”
“I don’t think so, Marta. My uncle afforded us no special indulgences while he was alive, so I won’t be planning a repast to honor his memory. He’ll get a proper burial, and I think that is more than he deserves.”
Marta nodded and returned to her work table.
Rosalind looked back at Devlin. “Is that too harsh? I know it’s unusual not to have some kind of meal for the family, but it’s just us and I really don’t want the entire day overshadowed by a funeral.”
“I think your plan is sufficient. A dignified but simple service. And like you said, you are his only family, and I don’t think the townspeople will be lining up to see him laid to rest.”
Rosalind gave him a slight smile. “You’re not wrong there. I don’t expect anyone besides ourselves at the service. Let me get to the children, then. I’m sure you have matters to attend to as well.”
She left and climbed the back stairs.
****
Marta joined him at the table with a hot mug of cider. Devlin waited for her to speak, but she just looked at him with a slight grin on her face at first.
He couldn’t bear her scrutiny, and finally, he asked, “What is it, Marta? What do you want?”
“I want to know your intentions for my Rosalind.”
“What do you mean?”
Marta started to speak, but Benton suddenly appeared as if he’d been summoned, and he took a seat opposite Marta and leaned forward, closer to Devlin.
Has Benton been listening outside the kitchen door?
“Please continue, Sir Devlin. We’d like to know if your intentions are noble.”
“Intentions? I don’t have any intentions concerning Lady Rosalind except to complete this task per the king’s orders.”