The Lady of Fairhaven (10 page)

Angered beyond words, Luke rose. Rage colored his cheeks. His eyes narrowed menacingly and his lips thinned to a dangerous slash. His clenched hands slammed down on the desktop, sending a lantern to jump. “It would not be wise for you or me to disparage my future mother, Sir,” Luke warned.

Tears pooled in Gillian’s eyes, but once again she fought them back. Her anger at being belittled grew. “Marriages, Uncle are built on mutual benefit. If Sir Phillip had been interested in me alone, I would be the first to admit he would select some other suitable match. I am nearly half his age and no doubt will provide little diversion for him. Since we are all agreed on this subject, Uncle, I pray continue with the accounting so we can be done.”

“
I have all but finished, niece,” Oliver said. His lips curled in a smirk.

The steward looked to Gillian and then back to Oliver. He remained silent since it was not his place to offer suggestions.

But Gillian knew better. “Of course,” she added, “that is not the end of it, Sir Luke. I’m sure there is some oversight.”

“
I believe that is the end of it, Gillian,” Oliver said in a threatening manner.

I am referring to the lands near Ramsgate. Perhaps we should go by the accountings in the ledger Mr. Fulburne keeps. I believe the accounting will be accurate since Mr. Fulburne and I work closely together and have an understanding of the estate values. It is always difficult in these situations to recall everything by memory. Mr. Fulburne, would you please list the entire assets?”

Luke smiled. Gillian had managed to outfox Oliver. During the reading of the extensive holdings, Oliver continued to send hateful looks to Gillian. Clearly, she had been open and honest in the bargain even when her uncle’s cruelty had cut her low. Her strength would do great credit to his father.

Now finished, Mr. Fulburne said, “It will be a matter of a day or two before I can get the copies completed. The seals will be set on the documents and the banns will be read at that time. I bid you farewell.”

“
Sir Simon will accompany you to your home, Mr. Fulburne.”

“
I thank you sir,” he said to Luke in appreciation for being accorded an escort. He then rose and left the room.

When the arrangements had been set, Oliver grabbed Gillian and removed her to a corner. Luke watched. He had no intention of letting his future mother be intimidated by this poor excuse of a man.

Two days had passed since the Betrothal papers had been started. Gillian had little opportunity to be in Luke Thornburgh’s company. He had been practicing his warrior’s arts, showing his squire the intricacies of battle.

Gillian prepared her belongings to be packed for her journey. She set about to mending and sewing clothes for her presentation to her groom. Her wedding dress, sewn from Royal blue satin was fitted and neatly packed in a special trunk. She had spent many hours sewing and her eyes were tired and her legs in need of exercise.

“
I shall journey to the village this morning,” Gillian informed Alice. “I wish to check on the smith’s apprentice and I have heard that Millicent’s babe is soon due. I should check on her progress. I do need to get out of the manor today, or I shall go mad.”

“
Very well, my lady, I will inform Giles and he will arrange for an escort,” Alice said.

“
It is true that I no longer can escape an escort but this is not as I would have it. I shall be in the storage room collecting herbs and then off to the village. Please inform Giles of my intentions.”

“
Aye, My Lady,” Alice said. She curtsied and hurried away.

Within half an hour, Gillian was prepared to make her way to the village with a meager basket of herbs and supplies. After such harsh treatment by her uncle she was wary of angering him further. She was, however, determined to at least bring some extra measure to the villeins that made her life possible.

Bernard and Mathias waited in the bailey for Gillian to appear. They were deep in conversation and never lost a word as she emerged. The two were recent hires of her Uncle and she had little knowledge of them.

Giles held to the reins of Buttercup, the beautiful mare Luke had brought with him. Her stomach flip flopped with the reminder of him. She prayed Giles would not see the hot flush, flooding every inch of her skin.

“
Good day, Sir Giles,” Gillian bid her friend. “And who is this with you? The fair Buttercup?”

“
Aye, My Lady,” Giles replied with a smile. “Sir Luke insisted that whenever you travel on horseback you are to take Buttercup. He said she will be your horse as soon as the betrothal parchments are signed, and that you should think of her as yours.”

The utter delight of the beautiful animal was witnessed in Gillian’s smile. She approached Buttercup and placed her hand on the animal’s soft muzzle. The horse rewarded her with a whinny. Gillian chuckled.

“
You have found me out, have you not? You know I always bring a treat to my horse.” Gillian whispered. In her hand she pulled out one large carrot, broken into bite size chunks. “Well, there you are then. Enjoy your treat sweet Buttercup.”

Giles smiled at Gillian’s good-hearted nature. She had always shown a particular kindness to animals in her care and her treat for Buttercup was just one expression of it. Any horse selected for the day would have been the recipient, but Gillian seemed particularly pleased to have Buttercup placed in her keeping. Dog sniffed at his new companion.

The horse was a generous gift, indeed. Its golden color and pale tail and mane were particularly pleasing to the eye. Gillian had spoken of the horse after her arrival at the manor with the highest admiration of its spirit and beauty.

Within moments of consuming half of the treats Gillian had procured, Giles had helped her mount and she was guiding the animal toward the village. Buttercup responded to the lightest touch and seemed eager to please. Leaning over, Gillian hugged the animal’s delicate neck and spoke soothing words. She felt better atop Buttercup than she had in days past.

Bernard and Mathias spurred their horses to follow. Their conversation lilted through the air, but Gillian was not eavesdropping and cared not to know of what they spoke. Mindful that she was to remain with her escort, Gillian trotted along so as not to interrupt their conversation.

She treasured the times that she spent conversing with Anne and would not interrupt their exchange if it were in her power to prevent it. They would have ample time to speak with one another this day. She planned on visiting Anne. It may be one of the last opportunities she might have with her dear and trusted friend.

Her first stop was Anne’s and she dismounted, and after tying up Buttercup, she hurried into the embrace of her friend. “Please tell me you will be able to spend the day with me, Anne,” Gillian said. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes. “I had promised myself I would not get weepy, and here I stand, totally unresolved. Please forgive me for my overeager reaction.”

“
I don’t think I shall be able to bear not seeing you, Anne,” Gillian cried. “Whatever will I do?”

“
I suppose if that is the case, you shall have to take me with you.” Anne replied.

“
Oh if only I should be able to summon the courage to ask again. Although Sir Luke has been kindness itself, I feel as though I am mere chattel to be bargained and traded away.”

“
Perhaps one request has been enough. As it turns out, Sir Luke has approached me and begged that I accompany you to Longmore. He said that bringing me with you would please you and thus him and his father, and it would show an act of good will and good faith. He told me to be ready, and he would send for me on the day you are to depart.”

Gillian hugged her friend tightly and cried in earnest. Luke’s thoughtful gesture was so kind, so considerate, Gillian thought her heart might cease beating for the sheer pleasure of the favor. And now the two conspired how they might be able to spend their time in a new home.

Feeling much relieved by Anne’s news; Gillian left her to the task of organizing her belongings. Most of them had been brought back to her parent’s home when she was safely removed from the manor. It had broken both their hearts, but Gillian knew it was the only prudent thing to do. Luke had provided two large trunks for her personal items.

It was later in the afternoon when the two parted and Gillian made her way to the smithy’s apprentice. His arm was almost healed, and he was most grateful for her attention. The smithy seemed subdued and reserved.

“
My Lady, how unexpected that you should grace our home with your presence. We had heard you had fallen ill since your last visit here and we would have thought…”

“
Please rest easy. My visit here and indisposition were not as related as one might think. Had I visited the abbey, the outcome might have been the same. Please do not take any of the blame upon yourself.” Gillian said with a smile.

“
Thank you My Lady. Your kindness has always been of value to us,” The smithy said.

With that Gillian turned and left to venture on with her visitations. She was determined to visit Millicent. Although she would more than likely not be present for the birth of her second child, she wanted he to know she would be there in spirit.

“
Good day, Millicent,” Gillian said. “I hope this day finds you and your babe well?”

“
Aye, My Lady,” Millicent replied. “Thank you for asking.”

“
Has all gone well with you? Do you have any problems?”

“
Only the same complaints we all have during this time. Charles sleeping noises awake me in the night, and then I am left to standing guard over his well earned and comfortable sleep. If I could only find a restful position with girth such as this, all would be well. At least it will be over soon enough.”

“
I have brought some tea that might calm and soothe you. Take it before you sleep at night. If it should give you some measure of ease, I would be well pleased.”

“
You are too kind,” Millicent replied.

“
I only wish I should be here for the event. You have never seemed happier than you have been carrying your child. I would only like to share in your joy at his birth,” Gillian said with a sigh.

“
And perhaps you will enjoy a child soon with your upcoming marriage, My Lady,” Millicent suggested.

“
Mayhap I will,” Gillian replied with a blush.

She did so want children and she prayed her new husband would allow her the opportunity to bear his child. It had been spoken of in the contract. Whatever his true wishes are would be determined later.

Fears of not being a suitable bed partner had been plaguing her. She had such carnal desires, but not for her husband. Would she be able to share his bed with the joy some women were lucky enough to find? Or would her life be one of tolerance of his physical needs. She prayed she would get some enjoyment, and yet, she longed to hold Luke. God how was she ever going to bear it?

After leaving the tea with Millicent, Gillian left and climbed up on Buttercup. Mathias and Bernard were still engaged in conversation and although Gillian still did not have any desire to interrupt their conversation, she did wish to allow Buttercup some exercise, and see to her own need of galloping on her new horse.

At the edge of the village, Gillian lightly kicked her golden mare in the flanks and as if having waited for the opportunity, Buttercup leaped into a full gallop. Leaning down over her horse’s neck, Gillian encouraged the horse to run free. Bernard and Mathias were left behind, not because their horses were not capable of keeping pace, but because they were deeply engaged and were continuing on with a sedate pace.

Steering her horse through the meadow, Gillian let the animal have her own lead as she ran through the tall grass and wildflowers. The horse ran along the edge of the woods, fast and sure.

Gillian could feel the warm breeze through her hair and wondered if Buttercup was enjoying the same pleasure. It had been a very long time since Gillian had enjoyed a good run on horseback and the feeling was somewhat liberating.

She could feel the muscles in Buttercup’s neck tense with her effort. Keeping her head level, the horse had a magnificently smooth gait. The pale strands of mane and tail were streaming wildly with the wind.

If her uncle found out about it, she would no doubt be punished. But she felt certain her escorts would not be willing to share that they had failed to maintain a proper guard for her. More likely than not her secret was safe.

The manor was in clear sight but still some distance away. When Gillian looked back over her shoulder she could still not see her escort. She was alone.

The chatelaine was beginning to pull in on the reins to turn for home, when two horses and riders exploded out from the protective covering of the woods directly in front of her. With no time to react, Buttercup reared up on her hind legs in alarm. The wild shriek from her horse startled Gillian. The mare was unsettled.

Caught off guard herself, Gillian had no time to react and was dumped into the grass and dirt, knocking the air from her lungs. Having previous injuries, her chest contracted with the intense pain.

Gillian watched the animal’s eyes roll as she looked at the other horses and people around her. With a snort and a whinny, her horse dashed across the field toward the only place she could recognize as safe. Attempting to shake off the experience, the beautiful mare kicked her hind feet as she bolted away from the source of the disturbance.