Chapter Two #2
Everyone in the chamber turned as the lord of the castle entered. Even crowned with silver hair, he was no less powerful, no less the master of the home. Even Philipa lowered her head in deference, dragging her daughter with her.
“And I’ll be damned if you will shame me, Daughter. It’s a solid match with young Brodick. He’s already a titled man.”
“Of Scots.” Mary’s lip protruded as she whimpered.
“Times are changing, Daughter. We’ll soon be a single nation, united under a Scot-born king. McJames will be a good match, better than many of your court friends will have.”
The earl looked at his wife but his attention strayed to Anne.
Anne couldn’t stop her lips from curving upward in welcome even as she lowered her head.
A sparkle lit her sire’s eyes but there was a low hiss from Mary as she noticed the exchange.
Anne’s half-sister looked over her mother’s shoulder, hate glittering in her eyes.
Her father stiffened, his gaze returning to his wife’s.
“The Earl of Alcaon’s retainers should be here within the week.
I was only granted leave to escort Mary home.
I leave for court at daybreak.” He pointed one thick finger at Mary.
“You’ll take your place as I’ve arranged it and there will be no more tears.
Childhood is finished. See to it, Philipa. ”
“Must she marry?”
The earl scowled. “Good God, woman! She’s twenty-six years old.
This child has turned up her nose at every match I’ve laid before her.
There will be no more discussion. It’s my own fault for giving either of you a say in the matter.
Mary should have been wed four years ago but I tried to wait until she agreed with a match or brought me one of her own thinking.
Madam, it’s been eight years since we placed her at court. ”
“But he’s Scots, Father.”
“He is an earl, madam.” Mary sank back as her father moved toward her. “A man whose land borders ours which makes him a fine choice as husband for you.”
Mary sobbed louder and her father made a low sound of disgust. He turned his displeasure on Philipa.
“You see there, Wife? This is the only child you had to see to and she is a whining whelp, ungrateful for the good match that’s been made for her.
What would you have of me, Daughter? Would you be a spinster?
Or one of those disgraced courtier friends of yours with bastards growing in their bellies?
There are not many lords who will have you due to the fact that your mother never birthed a son. ”
Mary shuddered and stood up, her eyes round with horror.
Her head shook back and forth as her father glared at her.
Anne did pity her half-sister; the world was most cruel to daughters because they carried the stain of their mothers.
Because Philipa refused to give her husband an heir, Mary was suspected of being a poor choice for a wife as well.
“Aye, now you’re seeing the truth of the matter.
Another year and who will have you? It’s time for marriage and children.
’Tis not an engagement, Daughter. You’ve been wed by proxy.
Young McJames was not in the mood to be delayed by having to wait for a wedding to be arranged.
The matter is sealed. You are now a wife with duties to attend to. ”
The earl turned and left, his spurs clanking against the stone floor.
His men followed, having witnessed the entire event.
But Philipa was oblivious to the maids in the chamber with her.
Privacy was an extreme luxury. As wife to an earl, Mary would have to learn to deal with the many eyes that would know her every movement.
Better now than on an estate she was expected to manage.
“Mother, you must give me Anne. For the books. I don’t know how to keep them.”
Anne’s throat constricted as she caught the look her half-sister aimed at her. It resembled the way the lady looked at a new mare she was considering buying. Philipa turned to consider her and Anne lowered her head even as her temper began to simmer.
“Everyone, out! Except Anne, you stay.”
Joyce cast her a helpless look as she herded the rest of the maids out the door.
“Come here, Anne.” Philipa was in her element, her voice full of commanding authority.
Anne moved toward her without a scuff from her boots. She might be bound to serve the lady but she was not afraid of her. Fear was for children and fools.
“Remove your cap.”
The linen head covering was held in place by a thin strap running under her chin.
There was a single button on the left side of it that kept the cap on her head and her hair out of sight.
Removing it, she looked at the lady to see what she wanted.
Philipa studied her for a long time, her eyes roaming over every detail.
“Leave.”
Replacing her cap, Anne made it halfway to the door before Philipa stopped her.
“Have you been attentive in your studies, girl?”
Turning back to face the lady, Anne answered, “Aye, lady.”
But not because of your dictates.
Her temper would be the worse for her but she couldn’t stop it from rising. Still, she studied hard because learning was something that was a skill. It resided inside her and could never be stripped away.
“Take yourself up to the books and remain there.”
Anne lowered her head because she didn’t trust her voice to be smooth or anywhere near respectful.
Lady Mary getting married wasn’t any reason for the mistress to turn sour.
Anyone with half a wit in their head had been expecting such an announcement for years.
Having to be dragged home by her father—now that was reason for worry.
Mary was fortunate her new husband didn’t know what a brat she was; otherwise she just might gain her wish and escape consummating the marriage.
But that would brand her a spinster and the gossips would have a heyday with it.
Suspicion would grow as everyone wondered why Mary was so loath to commit to a marriage that would gain her a better estate than her mother governed.
With her dowry to join with her husband’s land, their children would live a better life than they did. It was a grand match.
Lady Mary was simply too childish to understand how food appeared on the table when she sat down for supper.
Anne knew where the grain for every loaf of bread came from.
She knew when the harvest was slim or the sheep not lambing as often as they should.
It took a keen wit to balance everything and ensure there was enough stock to see the castle population through the winter.
If you sold too much, there would be empty bellies.
A true noblewoman was the mistress of the castle, shouldering the responsibilities of running the estate.
“What did she want?”
Joyce was hiding around the corner, the senior housekeeper wringing her apron as she waited to hear what had happened after she left the chamber.
“She ordered me to the books. I’d wager she plans to raid the coffers again for Mary’s wardrobe.”
“That tongue of yours came from your father. Only a noble would talk that way. Better have a care, girl; the mistress has no love for you.”
“I know it well.”
Joyce softened her stern look. “Oh, my lamb, I’m sorry as can be. She’s a mean-spirited one. You’ve been a faithful daughter. Your father should be proud of the way you give that sour cow her deference.”
Anne felt her face brighten. Her father was home. At least she might enjoy the secret that he’d be in her mother’s chambers tonight. He always came when he was home, much to Philipa’s disdain. Sometimes Anne suspected that he did it to annoy his fine-blooded wife.
After sunset
Anne hurried along the corridor; her duties had kept her late tonight. A smile brightened her face when she neared her mother’s chamber. It was on the far end of the castle, facing north. It could be a bit chilly in the winter but Ivy refused to leave it even when the earl suggested it.
Ivy didn’t want trouble. Her family had to live with Philipa while the lord was away at court. The lady had given her the chamber, so she would be content in it. Winter chill or not.
Anne opened the door. Yellow light shone out from several candles.
“There’s my girl. My wife claims you’re the worst maid she’d ever had to tolerate.”
“Good evening, Father.” Anne lowered her head, for once meaning the respectful gesture. Her sire nodded with approval. His face was unreadable for a long moment before he spread his arms wide.
Anne flew into his arms, laughing as he squeezed her tight. He released her and thumbed her nose.
“You’re a good girl to not complain. Nothing pleases my wife but ’tis not your fault.”
“I promise to try harder tomorrow, Father.”
The earl smiled. “I know you shall. Just as I know that Philipa will still be unsatisfied. But I am not here to talk about my wife.”
He laughed as he reached for Ivy. Drawing her close, he placed a kiss on her cheek. “I have missed you all very much.”
“Tell us about court, Father.” Bonnie, her parents’ youngest child, eagerly awaited her father’s tales.
The earl held up a thick finger. “I suppose I might tell you about the mask the Earl of Southampton presented last week…”
Bonnie wiggled with excitement. Anne enjoyed watching her younger sister.
She reached for a dried fruit sitting on a plate.
The humble table that often held only porridge and whey tonight offered fruits, scones and small beer.
Brenda must have snuck the fruit tarts out of the kitchen in response to the tongue lashing Philipa had given her that morning.
Such treats were only made for the mistress of the house but since the lady of the manor didn’t know the first thing about how to prepare a meal, her servants could retaliate by using more than they needed.
Philipa would have a fit if she witnessed Anne’s children eating the same fine fare that was presented to her and Mary.