At first she just stood there checking around the table; Amrita and Emrys both nodded. Kelsey searched my face for approval, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy, her face white with fear, and her lip quivering, barely holding herself together. “Lizzy?” she whispered.
I nodded. “Yes, you should go with Royal. He’ll bring you back when you’re feeling better.” I hoped her reason for seeking my opinion was more out of friendship rather than employee relations. Kelsey needed friends much more than she needed a boss. And I was so proud of Fiona and Lindy, and glad they had taken a step in affirming that need.
Everyone remained quiet as Royal and Kelsey made their way out of the room.
Emrys cleared his throat and said, “There are some things which must be changed here at Ravenswynd.” He looked around slowly as he gathered his thoughts, his eyes finally landing on our cook. “Priscilla?” he said firmly.
“Yes, sir?” She stood up, calmer now, but still visibly upset. I wasn’t sure if she felt unfairly chastised, or just completely humiliated and angry. She laced her fingers together, standing at attention, apparently ready to receive her Regent’s chastisement.
“Sit down, please. It is about time you realized your place here,” he began.
She kept her eyes down, refolded her pudgy hands on her lap, and now looked nervous as her head seemed to bob up and down, waiting to receive the rest of her lecture from the Regent.
“Your contract has been fulfilled,” Emrys started. His next words surprised everyone, but no one more so than Priscilla. “If you should choose to continue to cook for the family, you will do so only if you promise to delegate some of the chores to those whom we have hired for the job. I do not want to come into the kitchen and find you working your fingers to the bone, while our gainfully employed donors sit around and watch television. You are a Raven, no longer just a hired servant.” He paused for a moment, waiting for it to sink in, and then asked, “Do you understand?”
She raised her head and her eyes grew large and round when she started to realize that he was treating her with respect and equality. Nodding, she said, “Yes.”
“And furthermore, you need to understand that not only does Kelsey need to make a life of her own, but you must as well. You have both been model employees for decades, but your debt has been paid, as well as your daughter’s. It is time to enjoy your lives.” I watched as a few other fellow Ravens nodded, agreeing with him. “You should get out of the kitchen once in a while. Relax. Perhaps take a holiday.”
Priscilla gave him a surprised smile. “Thank you, Master Emrys. I appreciate your kindness. I will do as you suggest, and as long as you allow me to cook for the enjoyment of it, I will be happy.” It was obvious she was both pleased and grateful that what she thought would be a severe reprimand, instead came as kindness and compassion.
“As you wish,” he stated with a smile. “I shall always cherish the meals you prepare for us.”
He then turned to the men, and taking in a breath, said, “I must call a meeting after breakfast, gentlemen. And I do expect everyone to be in attendance.”
I saw Gavin nod, and down on the far end of the table Latimer, our oldest and most respected record keeper, raised a hand and then spoke softly. “Do you require all of us, sir? I do believe I have a meeting this morning with our new friend, Steven.” He glanced across the table at Barbara Lee’s fiancé, apparently asking if Emrys meant to include the humans as well.
“By all means, I want all of you there; including you, Steven; and someone please make sure that Royal joins us as well. I want all of our men, even our human donors. This concerns every single one of us. We will meet out at the gatehouse so that everyone can be included.”
Latimer turned to Matthew and whispered something that I couldn’t hear and a moment later Matthew said, “I will see to it that everyone is informed, sir.” He stood at once and left the room.
I realized then that they must have hired several new gatekeepers and guards already, since both Matthew and Royal were here inside the house. A quick shiver shot through me as I remembered the dead body I’d tripped over in the foyer the night Rohan kidnapped me. And the memory of the tempting scent of the blood of the two humans in the gatehouse gave me an instant guilt-trip, even though I had nothing to do with their deaths.
How could Rohan think he would ever get away with murder?
I looked at Emrys, who seemed deep in thought, and decided to refrain from asking any questions. I glanced over at Melinda. She gave me a satisfied look, now that something would finally be done. As far as I knew, my sister was the only one who had the guts to stand up to our esteemed Regent and tell him he needed to make some changes around here. Although I had no idea what Emrys had in mind, I could only assume he planned to reinforce the security measures that obviously had not been working. Somehow though, no matter what extra protection they came up with, I wondered if I’d ever be one hundred percent sure that Rohan wouldn’t still get through. He had a one-track mind and knew if he could ruin what Emrys and I had together; it would be far easier for him to challenge Emrys for his title. Just like his father before him, Rohan’s greatest desire was to be the Regent. I just could not picture him giving up even with any extra security in place. And since he was also a flyer, I imagined that the only sure way to keep him out, they’d have to fence in the entire estate, including the air above it…or… someone would have to kill him. I shivered at the thought, but realized my opinion of the death penalty was definitely changing, especially when it came to him.
Emrys made a sound, not quite a sigh, not quite a snicker, but I became well aware; he had been listening to my thoughts. I picked up my coffee cup and took a sip, my appetite abated completely. Normal sounds now resumed around the table; forks scraping on the plates, spoons clinking in tea and coffee cups, and the quiet murmur of conversations continued between couples and friends once again.
Emrys put a soft hand on my arm and said, “Elizabeth, you must try to eat something. After the meeting we will get on with our fencing lesson; that will require some energy, you know?”
I grabbed my fork and stabbed a piece of my mushroom and ham omelet, slid it into my mouth and with unintentional surliness, I snapped, “There, are you happy?” I hated feeling this way, so negative and edgy, but I resented always having to live in fear. Of course, as soon as I realized the sharpness of my tone, I regretted it with a long sigh. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, blinking back the tears and peering into his eyes. “I’m just so tired of...”
He interrupted. “I know. There is no need for explanation.” He gave my arm a gentle squeeze and said quietly, “We will think of something even if we have to search for Rohan and bring him to justice ourselves. I am the one who is sorry. Sorry I brought you into this world of constant uncertainty and fear.” He looked somber and troubled, and heaved a huge sigh.
Before I could respond, Royal and Kelsey returned, and my attention was drawn away from Emrys and all of my negativity. I decided instead to focus on more positive thoughts, and watched the way Kelsey and Royal interacted while they ate. She looked much better than when she had left, but I noticed she deliberately avoided her mother’s eyes for the remainder of the meal, and ate in silence.
Priscilla stood and began to clear the plates. Out of sheer habit, Kelsey jumped up to help, but Priscilla’s next move shocked us all, though no one more so than her own daughter. She held up her hand as if to stop Kelsey, walked over and put a hand on her shoulder and said, “Please finish eating, daughter. I will get the new girls to help. You’ve enough to keep you busy now - with Miss Elizabeth, your gardens, and what-not.” There was no sarcasm in her voice whatsoever - only soft and sincere words. Then without reserve, Priscilla bent and kissed her daughter’s cheek. The look on Kelsey’s face was one I would not soon forget. First she appeared downright shocked as she seemed to question her own hearing. Then after her mother kissed her, Kelsey looked like she had been freed of a heavy burden. A stunned smile turned up her
mouth, and she touched her own cheek as though to keep the reality of the kiss from fading. Priscilla scurried away without another word, and Kelsey leaned back into the chair, sighing and grinning, her brown eyes brighter than ever.
“I have no idea what happened while I was gone, but it’s plain to see, I have someone to thank.” Kelsey looked around the table, searching for some kind of clue. “I cannot remember the last time mum gave me a kiss,” she added, shaking her head.
Someone cleared his or her throat, but no one spoke.
“Well, then. I thank you all for your kind words, for not judging or blaming me for things I have no control over - like she always tended to do.”
“That part of your life is in the past and I expect your mother will treat you with fairness and respect from now on,” Emrys said with reassuring certainty.
Kelsey’s face softened when she realized how much had taken place in her short absence. The Regent had spoken. It was very rare for anyone not to take what he said to heart. With a new confidence, she looked him in the eye and said, “I thank you, Master Emrys.”
“You are welcome,” he said, getting to his feet.
Kelsey nodded, and said, “If it’s alright, I think I might go out now and attend to my gardens. She glanced my way. “If you need anything after your lesson, that’s where you can find me Lizzy.” She smiled at me and pushed herself away from the table.
Royal and I stood at the same instant, and I said, “Okay, I’ll send for you if I need anything.”
As she started to leave the room she held her head up high, more self-assured, and calm than she had been since I’d met her. Royal never took his eyes off her.
“Wait!” I called, now rethinking my plans.
Kelsey stopped just before turning the corner out of the dining room, and looked back quizzically. “Yes?”
“Do you mind if I join you while the men have their meeting? My lessons won’t begin until Emrys is finished, and I would love to see your gardens.”
“Of course!” Kelsey grinned proudly. Glancing back at the other women, she added, “Anyone is welcome. Please join us if you aren’t busy.” She waited while I set my napkin down and said goodbye to Emrys with a quick kiss.
“See you a bit later, love.” I left his side and joined Kelsey, turning a quick glance back and saying, “Is anyone else coming?”
Fiona sounded disappointed when she said, “I wish I could. But I’ve got to get upstairs with Constance and Barbara Lee. We’re having our dresses altered, remember?”
I gave her a nod, and then looked around.
“I’ll come take a quick peek, sis,” Melinda said, jumping up. I could tell she was worried she’d have to postpone her scheduled trip to London with Gavin, if their meeting took too long.
Surprising everyone, Amrita stood up and joined us with a smile. “I’ve got time enough and no plans to speak of. By all means, let’s see what Kelsey’s been up to lately.”
That was a move I never expected, but I grinned at Amrita, glad she wanted to join us too.
Kelsey beamed as the three of us followed her through the kitchen, which she said was a short cut to the back of the estate, and seeing her smile and wave at her mother warmed my heart all over again. Once outside she led us down a path which started at the very back of the house and went toward an old brick building.
We came around the corner of the structure and passed under an arched trellis covered in morning glories, dark blue with purple star-like centers. And then we entered the most beautiful plot of land I had ever seen in my life. At first glance, it was like a brilliant rainbow of colors. There were mums of bright orange and yellows and rows of delicate red roses, and daisy-like flowers in blues and lavenders with brilliant yellow centers.
“What are those?” I asked, pointing at the colorful feathery blooms.
Kelsey said, “Oh these are my Asters. They’ll be the last blooms of the season in my garden. I tried to choose flowers that blossom well into the autumn so I can enjoy the colors as long as possible.” She seemed to reflect the brightness and beauty of this garden as she spoke excitedly.
We strolled along a lovely brick pathway that was edged with many different plants and flowers, grasses and shrubs, and here and there I’d spot a statue of a smiling fairy or a white-bearded garden gnome. Some patches of the herbs and beds of flowering plants had already stopped blooming. But I’m sure if I had asked her; Kelsey would have known the name of every single one, even in this stage. The only herb I could recognize myself was parsley, and the only flower I could name was the tall narrow lavender plants, only because their scent was so familiar.
We followed her through a sequence of hillside paths, paved stone landings, and granite stairs which wound among purplish-pink flowering shrubs and some that had deep purple berries. I counted at least three different benches where one could sit at leisure and enjoy the sights and heavenly scents in different areas of the yard. It was absolutely lovely, and around each turn I inhaled deeply, enjoying every single moment.
We came upon what I thought was a patch of multicolored wild flowers, until I got closer and realized this was yet another herb garden of sorts. Kelsey explained all the variations of herbs she grew, and even picked a few tiny snippets, rubbed them into the palm of her hand, and let us smell them one by one. She told us that some of her herbs were used in the kitchen to enhance our meals, and some she grew just for their beauty.
Right in the middle of all this colorful landscaping was a small, round garden-pond with water lily in bloom. It reminded me of the larger pond with the black swans I had heard so much about from Emrys; apparently located in another part of the estate, which I had yet to explore in full.
Gazing all around, I realized the whole garden was set apart from the rest of the estate. It was an island of tranquility and beauty and was surrounded by a wooded area on two sides, the building on another, and a waist-high wall made entirely of stones on the last. It looked like the only way to enter was through the trellis doorway, unless you tromped through the forest. I glanced back toward the building and noticed that from this angle, it looked more like an old cottage. There were two small windows and a weathered wooden door that at one time was painted red, and the entire east side of the structure was covered in ivy.
Kelsey saw the direction of my gaze and explained, “That’s the old carriage house. We don’t use it anymore, but I do keep some of my gardening tools just inside the doorway.”
I nodded and asked, “Kelsey, how many years have you been creating this beautiful garden? This place is absolutely amazing. You must be so proud.”
Before she could open her mouth to answer, Amrita chimed in, “Oh, she’s been working at it her whole life. I try to get out here every spring and fall to see what’s new.”
Kelsey’s eyes grew wide and she asked, “You do?”
“I usually come out here when no one else is around.” Amrita nodded and smiled. “It’s a perfect spot to just get away from everyone and everything, you know? It sort of feels like you’re in your own little peaceful world.” She emitted a long, relaxed sigh.
Just then I heard a flapping sound and looked up. A large white owl was just landing on the roof of the carriage house right next to the trellis of morning glories. Even the wildlife seemed to enjoy the views of Kelsey’s beautiful garden. The owl’s head turned from side to side, and then it flew away and landed high up on the branch of a tall tree towards the back of the garden. A moment later I heard the distinct call of a Raven and for some reason the sound gave me a sense of tranquility.
I glanced at Melinda as she stooped to smell some flowers. This place was like a secret, hidden garden of serenity and it seemed to create a positive effect on all of us. It felt great to be outdoors and in the fresh air surrounded by so many lovely sights and scents. No wonder Kelsey spent so much time in her garden. It was like a tiny patch of heaven.
“If it looks and smells this lovely in the fall, can you imagine how awesome it must
be here in spring when there are even more things in bloom?” Melinda asked, sounding unusually chipper.
Kelsey laughed. “It is lovely, but I do enjoy all the seasons. I come here when I am sad and lonely, or if I am angry with mum. Once I get down in the dirt and start digging and planting and moving rocks or decorations around, I forget all my troubles. It’s been a haven for me. Without it, I don’t know if I would have made it this long.” Kelsey was being open and honest, possibly for the first time in her life, taking the chance, and trusting the three of us with her feelings.
“Kelsey, how on earth do you keep up with all the weeds?” Melinda asked.
I rolled my eyes, but kept my thoughts to myself.
Leave it to Lindy to think of the one negative thing this place could possibly produce.
“I have to admit that I do get some help from our grounds-keeper, Nicholas. But I have threatened him with bodily harm if he tries to change anything without my say so,” she said, chuckling. “He’s helped me with all the heavy boulders and rocks and some of the larger sections like the little stairway over there.” She pointed to the pathway we had just come through.
“How many acres is this, do you know?” I asked.
“Nicholas tells me it’s about two acres. I guess he’d know; he’s been in the landscape business for years. He does a nice job on the rest of the estate, and he takes care of all the bushes and plants around the buildings, but this is my garden.” Her hand rested on her chest as she spoke. “It was overgrown and full of prickly bushes and weeds; left unattended for decades. I happened to wander back here once, not long after I was first turned. I mentioned it to mum, and she asked Ambrose if I could fix it up a bit. I guess she figured it would keep me out of trouble.” Kelsey smiled as she remembered Ambrose. “He was kind-hearted, and even though I was only a servant’s child, he allowed me this one hobby.” A quick sad look crossed over her face, and I assumed she had vivid memories of how his personality had changed after losing his wife.
I glanced at Amrita while Kelsey spoke so kindly about Ambrose. I couldn’t help but wonder how this conversation made Amrita feel. Surely, as her caretaker and older brother, Emrys must have explained to her why his father ignored her when she was a child. She was the product of rape; Idris had attacked their mother in order to ruin Ambrose’s life, and even though Idris failed when he challenged Ambrose for his title, he succeeded in destroying the man. I couldn’t imagine how confusing Amrita’s childhood had been. Not only was her mother banished from the Raven society, the poor child was fearful of the strange recluse, Ambrose, and her half-brother, Rohan turned out to be just as evil as their father, Idris. The only light in her life must have been Emrys; at least until she met and married Larkin. Amrita’s pitiful life made Lindy’s and my life as orphans look like a cakewalk.
The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set Page 50
