Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

“My husband has influential contacts in Londontown. In fact, he just returned from a tourney at his majesty’s summer palace.” She boasted her husband’s position as if it would impress Kate.

  Kate wasn’t affected in the least. “Will we be going to such events?”

  “Perhaps, ye shall. You’ll attend with Richard, I fear I don’t have the stamina for such a journey, nor do I wish to go to court. Richard won’t be going back to court for a while, but he will help you find a worthy husband.”

  “Thank you, Lady de Morris, but I am betrothed. King Henry has betrothed me, and when Lord Aldwyn returns, I shall be taken to him.” Why did it sound so distressing? Her future husband awaited, whether Lord Richard insisted Aldwyn influence the king’s decision. Perhaps the man was a gentleman and would be a kind husband. The king wouldn’t betroth her to someone of ill bearing. Although, she’d only met the king once, she hoped he remembered her.

  Lady de Morris nodded. “I had forgotten that. Richard told me of the betrothal and his dislike of the circumstances. Have no fear, Richard will right it. Have you eaten, child?”

  “Aye, I rise early and have eaten. I heard you speaking to a child last night, in the room next to mine. Who is she?”

  Lady de Morris’ eyes narrowed, her face scrunched. “Child?”

  “Aye, a child … in the room next to mine.”

  “Oh, that child. Forgive me, I had forgotten about her. She’s a servant’s child who was abandoned, I fear. I’ve decided to help the poor girl out by taking her in. I’ve given her a home and yet she won’t speak. I do believe she’s mute. I’ll begin training her, but she’s quite young and troublesome.”

  “That is kind of ye, Lady, to take her in. Perhaps I can help.”

  “Mayhap ye can get her to eat. She’ll not even come out of the room, and I want to begin her training soon. There is plenty of work to be done.”

  Kate knew she’d lied, because the woman was yelling at the girl the night before. “I’d be happy to see to her adjustment. I haven’t anything else to do and I do like children.” She tried not to sound too enthusiastic.

  “You can begin by taking the child’s food. She hasn’t eaten yet this day. I don’t want the servants near her, because I don’t want the child scared. She’s a timid thing.”

  “How long has she been here?” Kate feared to question her, but the lady seemed forthcoming.

  “Almost three months.”

  She couldn’t believe it. If the child hadn’t eaten much since she’d been there, no wonder she looked so thin. She would make sure the child ate every day and would fatten her up.

  “I’ll see you later, dear child, I’m off to the village.” Lady de Morris strode from the hall, leaving Kate sitting at the table alone.

  She left soon after and went to the kitchens. After placing foodstuff in a sack, she grabbed a small basin from a table. She took the stairs and walked the filthy corridor that led to the sleeping chambers. When the girl didn’t answer her knock, Kate opened the door and peeked inside. The girl sat in the corner, petting her cat, and slunk back when Kate entered.

  “Don’t be afraid, lovey, I won’t hurt ye.” Kate set down the basin she’d brought, and removed the sack from over her shoulder. She sat next to her and smiled, hoping it would relieve the child’s fear.

  “I know you speak English, because you understood me earlier. I’d like to be your friend, like Trixie, I can keep secrets, too.” The child didn’t move or speak. “Why don’t we start with our names? You remember, I told you my name is Kate. What’s your name?” She waited for her answer, several seconds passed before she finally heard a sound.

  “B-Bonnie,” the little girl uttered.

  “Bonnie, that’s a beautiful name. We’re going to be fast friends. Where are you from?”

  “T-the H-highlands. Scotland.”

  “Scotland? I’ve never been there before. Is it nice there?”

  She nodded, stuttering, “’Tis h-home.”

  “Where are your parents?”

  “At Honey’s.”

  “Who is Honey?” Kate placed her hand under Trixie’s chin and scratched her.

  “Mama’s cousin.”

  “Where does she live, in Scotland, too?”

  “Nay, England. Cousin Honey is a he.”

  “Oh. How did you come here? The lady said …” Kate became perplexed. Hadn’t Lady de Morris said that she was a servant’s child? How could a servant’s child be from Scotland?

  “T-the mean m-man … took me.”

  “Took you? Do you mean her husband?”

  Bonnie nodded.

  Kate sobered. “Do you mean that he was asked to bring you here and—”

  Bonnie shook her head vehemently. “Nay, I was supposed to rest, Papa said so.”

  “Aye, and …” She waited for her to continue.

  “I snuck out, and the mean m-man … took me.”

  “He just picked you up and took ye?” Kate realized she’d raised her voice, and then blew out a dejected sigh.

  Bonnie moved away. “Aye, he put me on his horse and rided away. I tried to scream, but no one could hear me.”

  “Will your parents be upset that you’re gone?”

  “Aye, Mama will cry and Papa will look for me.” Bonnie’s eyes watered, and her little body shuddered.

  “Do they know where you went?”

  “Nay,” she sobbed, shaking her head.

  “You’ve been here a long time? Three months?”

  “Aye, I’m scared and miss my papa.”

  “Bonnie, do you want to go home?”

  “I want my mama and papa.” Tears rolled down her face and she wailed.

  Kate realized that she was crying, too. She lifted Bonnie, settling her on her lap and held the girl in her arms, trying to comfort her.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll get you home. I’ll take you there myself if I have to. You can trust me, Bonnie. Can you stay with me until I figure out a way to get you home?”

  Bonnie nodded, and sniffled with another shudder.

  “I promise we’ll go on a great adventure.” She swiped the tears from Bonnie’s face and hugged her.

  “I like venturing, Papa always says so.”

  Kate laughed. “Well, we’re alike in that. Now, we must get you cleaned up, and you must eat. You need to get nice and fat before we go on our journey.” She tickled her tummy, and heard Bonnie giggle.

  She thought to wash the girl, and reached for the basin, but the child needed a bath. Instead, Kate went to the kitchen and instructed that a bath be sent to her room. Then she returned to Bonnie’s room, and took her to her chamber. When the bath arrived, she undressed Bonnie and put her in the tub. Bruises spotted the poor girl’s back and legs, the child had been beaten. Kate suppressed her anger, or at least she tried to.

  “Who beat you, Bonnie?”

  “The l-lady.”

  That harridan hurt the poor child. She hid her fury, but she could feel her cheeks burning with anger. “I shall get even with her.”

  She gently washed the girl, dried her, and put her into a fresh gown, one that was slightly tight on her and no longer fit properly. Even so, the gown was too large for the little girl, so she cut the bottom hem so it ended at her feet and cut the sleeves shorter. A mending would make for a better fit, she’d have to see to it later. Bonnie looked silly in the overlarge garment.

  Kate combed her long hair, likely never cut once in her short life. Once dried, the ends curled, giving the child an innocent look. She and Bonnie spent the day tidying Kate’s chamber. After the midday meal, they sat on the bed. Trixie lay next to them, her purr filling the room.

  “You’re nice and clean. You’ll sleep better now.”

  “C-can I stay with ye?”

  “Certainly, I have more than enough room.” Kate changed into her nightdress behind the screen and when they were finally settled in bed, she asked Bonnie to tell her about Scotland and her family. Was that ever a mistake. The child who hadn’t spok
en suddenly found her voice.

  “Mama is pretty, Papa says so. He loves her. Papa is laird. I’m a MacKinnon.”

  “Tell me about your family.”

  “I have a brother, his name is Kevin. He’s just a bairn, och I help Mama take care of him.” Bonnie couldn’t sit still and fiddled with the covers. “Sometimes I get into trouble and Papa punishes me. He doesn’t like to, and says that he doesn’t want to do it, och he has to. Mama always laughs ‘cause Papa tries to think of new punishments, but he always does the same thing—makes me sit in his chair. I don’t like to sit in Papa’s chair, but it’s the best one. ‘Cause you know why?”

  Kate shook her head.

  “‘Cause Papa’s laird.” Bonnie’s voice became arrogant, as if Kate should have known that.

  Kate laughed and hugged her.

  “Uncle Brendan, that’s Papa’s brother. He’s going to be angry with me for gettin’ lost. He looks scary, but I’m not a scairt of him. You know why?”

  “Nay, why, lovey?” Kate closed her eyes. As she listened to the girl, she couldn’t help wondering why Lord Richard would abduct her. There had to be a reason, and it certainly wasn’t because they needed servants. She wondered if something had happened at the king’s castle which caused Lord Richard’s ire, and he took the child for revenge. Lord Richard was evil enough to do something so atrocious. Now she knew that she must help the child. She opened her eyes and found Bonnie looking at her.

  “‘Cause he has a good heart. He told me not to tell anyone. Oops, I shouldn’t have told ye that, now Uncle will be angry.” Bonnie placed her hand over her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

  “I won’t tell your uncle, your secret is safe.”

  “Papa has a big family. They live with us and they’re our clan. Uncle Robin married Mama’s friend, Tess. She’s bonny, just like Mama, and she gaved Uncle a bairn, too. You know what his name is?”

  “Nay, what?” Kate yawned.

  “Robert. Mama calls him Robbie, cause his Papa’s name is Robin.” Bonnie yawned, too. “I have a pet named George.”

  “Is George a dog?”

  “Nay.” Bonnie giggled. “He’s a goat. Mama loves ‘em, but he’s badder than me sometimes. You know what?”

  “What?”

  “He likes to eat Mama’s table cloths. She smacks him and he runs away.” Bonnie giggled again. “Mama says he plays games with her.”

  When she finally quieted, Kate thought about what the little girl had told her. Bonnie had been abducted by her guardian and she had a loving family who was, at this very minute, desperately trying to find her. Kate knew why the Goddess had sent her here now: she had to save the child and return her to her family. How would she be able to do that? Madam said she would go on a somber mission. How was the warrior connected to the child? She’d met the child, but where was the warrior? She needed to get inside her circle, but would wait until Bonnie fell asleep. She hoped Bonnie’s family was searching nearby so she could return her.

  Somehow, Kate would get even with Lady de Morris for hurting Bonnie, and she would begin the very next morning.

  *****

  And get even, she would. No woman or man would hurt a child if she had anything to do with it. A sennight had passed by quickly since Kate’s arrival to the de Morris manor. She and Bonnie spent every waking moment together. Kate took her out for walks in the fresh air for exercise, being cooped up in that chamber for such a long time made Bonnie pale. This day, they picnicked in the outlying area beyond the manor where the grass was grown thicker, and they sat upon an old cloth taken from the bedchamber. At least outside, they didn’t have to contend with Lady de Morris, her loathsome looks at Bonnie, or the stench of the hall.

  Kate got an idea. “Bonnie, are ye afraid of insects?”

  “What kind of insects?”

  “Big, ugly beetle insects.” Kate laughed.

  “Nay, why?”

  “I want to collect them and put them in the lady’s bed.”

  Bonnie giggled. “Aye, that would be fun. Where do we find ‘em?”

  “Just go along this high brush.” Kate knelt and plucked an insect from the blade of grass. She placed it in the basket she’d brought along. The creature felt strange and quite repulsive, but it was worth touching them, knowing what she was going to do with them.

  They put any kind of insects they could find in it. When they found a really ugly insect, they shouted with glee. Bonnie found the biggest beetle Kate had ever seen. They hated touching the insects, but it would be worth it. Lady de Morris would be in for a surprise this night. Kate and Bonnie skipped back to the manor, their trick secure inside the basket. When they entered, they saw Lady de Morris in her usual place.

  Mayhap Kate should pity her. Alas, Lady de Morris had an evil spirit and wouldn’t get compassion from her, not after seeing what she had done to Bonnie. Nay, the woman didn’t deserve a kind word, let alone sympathy. She was fortunate that Kate didn’t use her skills to cause harm, for if she had, the lady would likely be dead by now. But Kate never used her powers for casting spells in ill against others. It was something Madam had enforced, and of course, Kate had too gentle a heart to want to hurt anyone, even someone as vile as Lady de Morris. Although the idea of harming that woman had crossed her mind several times since she’d seen Bonnie’s back.

  She and Bonnie went to the chamber they now shared. It neared the evening meal, so they changed and washed. Kate disliked eating in the hall, but the lady forbade them from eating in their chamber. Once they were ready, they went down the stairs for the meal. Kate sat next to Bonnie, and put meat on her tray. They were served pigeon and veal, and a variety of vegetables. Kate thought it odd, because she didn’t think the de Morris’ were well to do, yet the food served was of quality. She plied her tray with vegetables and avoided the high piled meats. The smell of it made her nauseous. As they ate, the hall’s silence became palpable.

  Lord Richard actually joined them for the meal, it was the first time he’d eaten with them since Kate’s arrival. He kept giving her looks of loathing, which made her uncomfortable. She avoided his gaze and concentrated on finishing her food. Kate and Bonnie left the hall as soon as they finished the meal. They went to take care of their little chore of releasing the creatures.

  Kate entered her room and grabbed the basket. “I have them, Bonnie, let’s go.”

  “Aye, Kate.”

  They tiptoed down the hall to the lady’s room. The empty chamber darkened slightly because the sun had faded, which produced a hazy atmosphere. Dimness added to the shabbiness of the abode. When they approached the bed, Bonnie pulled back the covers and Kate dumped the contents onto the bed, shaking the basket until all the creatures were out. Insects crawled in various directions.

  “Hurry, pull back the covers.”

  After they finished the chore, they crept toward the door. Someone’s footsteps sounded in the hallway. Kate grasped Bonnie’s hand, pulling her behind the door. She cracked the door open slightly to look, they held their breath. A servant hummed as she passed by, laden with a pile of wash. They slipped from the room, and once they were inside their chamber, they fell on the bed in a riot of laughter.

  “Kate, if Papa knowed what we did, he would make us both sit in his chair for a whole day.” Bonnie giggled.

  “I can’t wait until she comes. Let us ready for bed.” Kate went to the wardrobe.

  They finished washing and changed into their nightclothes. She read to Bonnie from a large tome she’d bought from home. Bonnie seemed to enjoy being read to. After reading a few pages, they heard the lady in the corridor. They scrambled off the bed and ran to the door. Kate cracked the door open, their ears pressed against the doorframe, listening. The lady entered her room, the door creaked.

  They waited.

  “A few more minutes,” Kate whispered.

  All quieted, but then Bonnie let out a low giggle.

  “Shhh.” Kate held the door ajar.

  In a sudden ru
sh the lady’s door opened, and she ran down the hall shrieking. Kate closed the door and she and Bonnie fell into a fit of laughter. Bonnie’s giggle lightened the chamber as they both tried to fall asleep.

  Early the next morning, they entered the hall to break their fast and found Lady D there in her usual place. They now referred to her as Lady D. She had slept in the hall the night before, and looked groggy.

  “Kaitlin, have you seen any insects in your room? I was beset by the vile beasts last eve. They overtook my chamber, and I’m having Suzie give it a thorough scrubbing.”

  Kate stifled her laughter. “I haven’t noticed any.” She felt dreadful that Suzie would have to clean Lady D’s room, but that couldn’t be helped.

  Bonnie stood next to her, smiling widely. They ate breakfast quickly and spent the day thinking of nasty things to do to her.

  They next day, they collected toads all afternoon by the pond beyond the village. It was fun, and they were soaking wet from their jaunt. They placed fifteen toads in the ale barrel just before the evening meal. Lady D just happened to be the one to open the barrel to refill her goblet. Her scream caused many men-at-arms to run inside the manor. Lady D glared at Kate, but she held herself circumspect because the lady couldn’t prove that she’d done it.

  “Kaitlin, Lord Richard has been called away to a tenant’s home,” Lady D said suddenly. She placed food on her tray, and Kate didn’t think she wanted a response, so she kept quiet.

  Kate was glad he’d left because he made her feel repulsed with his glares and ogling. She tried not to look at him, but his stare made her uneasy. At least, the meal that night would be more enjoyable without his company.

  Later that day, Kate threw her basin water out the window. Luckily, Lady D just happened to be standing below it. She stuck her head out the window and yelled down, “Oh, my lady, I didn’t know you were walking by. I do apologize.”

  She and Bonnie had a fit of laughter over that. Kate enjoyed torturing her. She couldn’t wait until the next day. When Kate arrived in the hall the next morning, it was vacant. After pouring herself and Bonnie a bowl of pottage, she mixed dried mandrake and yarrow roots in the porridge pot that sat on the fire. It would cause the lady to have stomach cramps for the rest of the day. Lady D finally came down to break her fast. Kate hoped she would pour herself a heaping bowlful, as she normally did.