Stepping away, Lecie reached for another trencher. “And what happens when your looks fade and no man is interested in what you have to sell?”
“You are talking about Betta.” Gunilda glanced back at Hamon. “I am smarter than she. I have me a man to take care of me when I can no longer sell my charms.”
“The laundress is due today for the linens,” Lecie changed the subject. “If it is your wish, bring your bed linens down to be laundered.”
“I see no need, as of yet; there are no visible stains,” Gunilda replied with a shrug. “Besides, it saves me from having to tidy it up afterwards.”
Turning to conceal the look of disgust on her face, Lecie addressed Hamon. “The laundress is due four jugs of ale in recompense. Please see that she receives her share and returns the jugs.”
Without waiting for his response, Lecie finished retrieving the pottage and swept from the kitchen.
About to take a seat beside Albin, she looked up with a sigh as Betta came down the steps. “Lecie, I heard retching noises coming from the master chamber. I warrant he shall be coughing up more blood if he has not already.”
“Betta, take my seat and eat while it is still hot.” Lecie pushed back her chair to stand. “I shall see what I can do for him before making his broth.”
“If you will allow it, I shall see to Edric,” Albin reached out to stop her from leaving. “You have not yet had enough to eat, Lecie.”
“I vouch you have come to my assist enough for one day, Sir Albin. Please extend my gratitude to Sir Talan for the meal.” On her way to the steps, she called, “Betta, please serve the children some almond milk and be sure they finish before starting their chores.”
Lecie’s empty stomach rolled at the stench of vomit when she entered her father’s chamber. Lying on his side, he was too weak to reach the bucket set beside the bed.
“Forgive me, Lecie,” he wheezed. “I made more work for you.”
“There is no need for that, Da.” Eyeing the fouled sheets, she added, “I shall have to fetch Hamon to assist me. Do you have further need of the bucket?”
“No, lass. I pray the worst has passed.”
Easing an arm behind his frail shoulders, Lecie propped him up so he could take a drink of ale.
She placed a kiss on his sweaty forehead as he lay back with a sigh of relief.
Her smooth brow puckered with worry, she studied the deep lines etched into his grizzled, careworn face. “Does it pain you more this day?”
“No more than usual, lass,” he wheezed. “Have not a care for me. You have enough burdens to bear.”
Without replying, she opened the shutters to let in the cool morning air. Inhaling deeply, she pasted a bright smile on her face when she felt her father’s gaze on her. “It is a beautiful morn, Da.”
“No morn shall ever be as beautiful as you, lass.” Her father’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You have the look of your mother about you.”
Sobering at the mention of her beloved mother, Lecie fought back tears. “I miss her.”
“I shall tell her when I see her.”
“Rest now, Da. I will hear no more talk of you leaving us.” Fighting for control of her emotions, Lecie averted her eyes on the way out. “I shall return as soon as I locate Hamon.”
She felt Sir Albin’s gaze on her as she returned to the common room. Without slowing, she passed the crowded table without a word.
Entering to find the kitchen empty, she stepped outside to search for Hamon.
After scanning the yard and stables, she approached the small lad who kept the horses. “Have you seen Hamon about, Joseph?”
“Aye, he headed off towards the river with Gunilda. Shall I fetch him for you, Lecie?”
“No, thank you. I shall make do on my own,” she replied absently. “Take a break and get something to eat inside.”
Bobbing his head, Joseph darted through the back door ahead of her.
Passing back through the common room, Sir Albin stood. “The young lad here seems to be under the impression you need assist with something, lass.”
“I can manage, Sir Albin. Thank you kindly for the offer.”
“You do not have to take everything upon yourself, Lecie.” Moving around the table, Albin spoke low. “I am willing to do anything for you.”
Close to tears, she managed, “You are not in Rochester to make my lot in life easier, Sir Albin.”
“Mayhap not,” he agreed. “I would still lend assist if you allow it.”
“In that case, I thank you.” After retrieving clean linens from a cupboard, she led the way to the master chamber. “I must warn you that it is bad, Sir Albin. He has taken to vomiting blood of late.”
“Then let us get him cleaned up, shall we?”
Pushing the door open, Lecie stood aside for Albin to precede her.
“Sir Albin.” Edric recognized his visitor and struggled to sit up. “It has been some time since I have seen you last.”
“Rest easy, Edric.” Albin moved closer to the bed. “I would like to have found you faring better, my friend.”
“Without Lecie, I no doubt would be faring worse,” Edric replied in a raspy whisper.
“She is indeed a Godsend,” Albin agreed, meeting Lecie’s gaze from where she stood beside the door.
Breaking his intense gaze, she moved to the wardrobe to retrieve a clean tunic and breeches for her father.
“Sir Albin, it pains me to ask,” Edric wheezed. “Would you be so kind to help me change into clean garb? Hamon is always away from the inn or too busy.”
“I will gladly do so. Would you perhaps like to bathe first?”
“It has been so long since I had a long soak.” Edric looked hopeful. “If it can be managed I would like it above all else.”
“Consider it done.” Albin turned to Lecie. “Tell me what needs to be done to make it happen.”
“I just need a moment to heat the water in the cistern. Normally we transport the tub into the guest chambers before we fill it, yet if we could get him to the bathing room at the end of the hall it would be much easier.”
“Then that is what we shall do,” Albin agreed.
“Thank you, Sir Albin.”
“Think no more of it,” he lightly brushed aside her thanks. “A man feels better after a long soak. Is not that right, Edric?”
“Aye, indeed he does.” Edric sighed.
Leaving them to chat, Lecie opened the shutters in the small bathing room. Consisting of rough-planked walls, the room held a wood hipbath beside a small hearth. Swinging the suspended iron pot beneath the pipe leading into the chamber from outside, she twisted the iron spigot. Cold water filled the pot from barrels of rainwater collected on the roof of the inn. An invention of her father’s, it saved them from having to haul buckets of water up the steps.
Lighting the fire in the hearth beneath the pot, she would need only to swing the pot over the waiting tub. To drain, a second pipe slipped into a plugged hole on the side of the tub to empty into the garden below.
Satisfied with her preparations, Lecie re-entered her father’s room only to draw up short at the sight of her father unclothed and sitting up in bed. With a soft inhalation of breath, she whirled around to present her back to the men. “The bath is prepared, Sir Albin.”
“Sir Albin,” her father rasped. “Would you be so kind as to hand me a blanket so that I may cover myself?”
“Aye, of course.” Staring at Lecie’s back, Albin sounded confused by the request.
“If you assist me to stand, I am sure I can manage to walk the length of the passageway, Sir Albin.”
“How long has it been since you were out of bed, Edric?”
“It has been a while now,” the elder man admitted.
“That is what I thought.” After a moment, Albin addressed Lecie. “If you would lead the way, we shall follow, lass.”
Turning around, Lecie was surprised to see her father cradled in Albin’s muscular arms. Seeing the va
st difference in sizes between them, she met Albin’s concerned gaze with one of her own. “The passageway is clear.”
She stood by the bathing room door averting her eyes as Albin lowered her father into the heated water.
With a soft sigh of pleasure, Edric leaned back against the lip of the tub. “You shall forever have my thanks for this, Sir Albin.”
“Will you be all right for a spell so I can lend assist to Lecie in changing the bed linens?”
“Aye, I shall be fine.” Edric managed a weak smile as he studied the two of them standing together. “God willing, things will work out the way I have always prayed they would.”
“Call if you need assist,” Albin replied with a confused look.
Leading the way into the hall, Lecie paused outside her father’s bedroom door. “Sir Albin, I shall not keep you any longer. After I change the linens, I shall find Hamon to lend assist.”
“And if Hamon is nowhere to be found?”
“He never disappears for very long,” Lecie hedged. “He and Gunilda often take strolls in the woods. They are bound to return soon.”
“Why are you so stubborn, lass?”
“I am not stubborn, Sir Albin.”
“Are you not?” he teased. “It looks to me as if you need assist and I am here to offer it. By your refusing, it gives credence to the fact that you are indeed stubborn.”
“It has nothing to do with being stubborn. You are a paying guest here and as such should be afforded our hospitality, not put to work.”
“I am a friend, and there is no one else who can lift Edric from the tub, Hamon included. Why, it looks to me a brisk wind could knock the oaf over.”
Smiling at the visual of Hamon sprawled in the dirt, she relented. “In that you are no doubt correct.”
“So accept what is sincerely offered.” Albin’s tone softened as he stared down at her.
“I would not have you shirk your duties to his lordship.” Tearing her gaze away, she led the way into her father’s chamber.
He watched her in silence as she began to strip the soiled linens from the bed. After a moment, he walked up behind her. “How long does he have?”
“I know not.” Turning to face him, tears slipped from her eyes. “The village leech will no longer come to check on him.”
“You love him,” Albin stated without a hint of emotion.
“More than anything,” Lecie’s voice broke as she struggled to contain her sobs.
“Then let me help you tend him.”
Brushing at her cheeks with the back of her hands, she nodded.
They were finishing with the bed when Talan knocked on the doorframe. “Hello, Lecie.”
“Sir Talan.” Lecie managed a slight smile. “It is good to see you again.”
“About time you awoke, layabout,” Albin teased.
“I would have risen with the sun had not my rest been disturbed,” Talan shot back with a grin.
“I fear I am to blame for your lack of sleep, Sir Talan.” Lecie raked her teeth along her lower lip. “For that I thank you and apologize.”
“See what you did?” Albin cuffed Talan’s shoulder. “You made Lecie feel bad.”
“I was merely jesting.” Talan frowned at Albin as he responded to Lecie. “I was most pleased to be of service.”
“Better,” Albin approved. “If you will excuse me a moment, Lecie, I shall check and see how Edric is faring.”
“Thank you, Sir Albin.” Lecie shook her head with a smile. “I feel as if I am constantly repeating myself this morn.”
“It is my pleasure.” Albin dipped his head. “Talan, would you mind heading up to the tower without me this morn? Lecie has her hands full and I thought I would stay behind to lend her assist.”
“If you so wish, I shall take on the responsibility of meeting with the overseer whilst we are here,” Talan offered. “That way, you can remain here unless a problem arises.”
“Until further notice, please do so.” Albin slipped from the room before Lecie could voice an objection.
After he was gone, Talan helped bundle the soiled linens. “I am very sorry about Edric. He is a good man.”
“Thank you, Sir Talan.” Close to tears, Lecie busied herself tidying the room. “That is very kind of you to say.”
Sensing her discomfort, Talan switched topics. “I put up some barley to soak. Now that Albin is in residence, I have no doubt he shall drink through your current store of ale.”
Glad for the change of subject, Lecie paused in her task. “I did not realize you brewed your own ale, Sir Talan.”
“It was something I picked up in my youth.”
“In your youth?” Taking in his boyish good looks, she looked skeptical. “I take that to mean you believe you have reached your dotage?”
“Aye,” Talan agreed. “At a score and four, I feel much older than I am.”
“There are times I feel much older than my years,” Lecie murmured. “I suppose everyone experiences that feeling at one time or another in their life.”
“I would have to disagree with you,” Talan replied. “I would wager you are no older than a score.”
“How truly remarkable you should say that.” Lecie’s eyes flared slightly in surprise. “I am no more than a score.”
“I know.” Talan leaned forward as if to impart a secret. “Mylla let your age slip to me in London.”
They laughed in unison.
Finished with her task, Lecie perched on the edge of the bed. “How old is Sir Albin, if you do not mind my asking?”
“Albin is the eldest of our band of knights at a score and nine.”
“Why do you think it is he never married?”
“Albin?” Talan shrugged. “Of all of us, I believe he is the least likely to take a wife.”
“I see.” Her heart sinking, Lecie studied her hands. “I should have guessed it.”
“You should know the same thing was also said about his lordship,” Talan confided. “There were large wagers at court that he would remain unwed.”
“I have heard he is quite content with her ladyship. It pleases me to know he is so well settled.”
“I have never seen a man more content than he, Lecie.”
“We have always thought highly of Baron Erlegh. Please extend to him our congratulations on the birth of his daughter when you see him next.”
“I shall do so. I believe it will be some time before he once again ventures far from home.”
“In that case, I shall let his chamber,” Lecie spoke half to herself. “Tis the best we have to offer and we could use the additional income.”
“It is indeed a task to run such a place,” Talan observed. “Will you need assist with the brewing when the barley I put to soak matures?”
“Truth be told, I had barley set to soak in the shed ready to germinate, along with a batch ready to brew. The village festival is in a few days. Apart from the crowd expected here, we set up a booth in the square.”
“It sounds like we arrived at the right time.” Talan smiled. “If you have the malt dry and ground, I shall lend assist with the hot water and draining the wort when I return. You are on your own when it comes to the herbs and yeast. If I meddle with your recipe, Albin will never forgive me for it.”
“I cannot make servants of knights, Sir Talan.”
“No, you cannot,” he agreed. “You can accept the assistance of friends.”
“You sound like Sir Albin.”
“It is not often he and I agree on things. I suggest you take advantage of this momentous occasion.”
“In that case, I shall. You have my sincerest thanks.”
Hearing Albin coming up the hall, Lecie rushed to pull the covers down as he strode in with her father in his arms.
Plumping up the down pillows on the bed, she stood back as Albin gently eased him down.
Gasping weakly, her father closed his eyes with a contented sigh.
Albin glanced at her as he followed Talan out of the
room. Covering her father with a thin wool blanket, she heard them speaking in low tones in the passage.
Brushing the hair from her father’s forehead, she bent to place a kiss on it.
His breath coming in shallow pants, he did not stir from his uneasy doze.
Straightening, she looked up to find Albin staring at her from the doorway. “I believe he will rest easier now, Sir Albin.”
“May I have a word with you in private, Lecie?”
Closing the shutters to darken the room, she stepped past him into the passage. Hearing Talan’s booted tread on the steps, she calmly met Albin’s gaze. “Please speak freely.”
“Edric is in a great deal of pain,” he hesitated. “More than he lets on. Her ladyship Reina may have something to make him rest easier. If you would allow it, I will send a messenger to Castell Maen.”
“Would you do that for me, Sir Albin?” Lecie’s eyes lit with hope. “I shall be forever grateful to you.”
“Aye, Lecie,” he admitted softly. “I would do more than that for you.”
Searching his eyes, she felt a flutter low in her stomach. “I shall forever be indebted to you.”
Clearing his throat, he looked away. “Right, well. I was wondering if you would do something for me in return.”
“Anything,” she whispered. “What is it you would like?”
“Show me how to make ale?”
“I fear if I instruct you on how to make ale, I shall never see you again,” she teased with a smile.
Gazing down at her, he returned her smile. “You have nothing to fear on that account, lass.”
“Why is that?” she asked breathlessly.
He shrugged. “Even with ale of my own, I shall still have need of a place to stay when I journey to Rochester.”
“Oh.” To hide her disappointment, she turned on her heel towards the steps. “In that case, we best get started.”
“Lecie?”
Turning back, she waited with slanted brow.
Exhaling heavily, he shook his head. “Never mind, it is not important.” Moving towards her, he gestured for her to precede him. “Let the instruction begin.”
THREE
Forget Father Godfrey’s vision of hell, Albin was in his own personal version of it. Perched on a stool set close beside Lecie’s in the small brewing shed, Albin watched her go about the chore of making ale.
Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 Page 3
