She spotted him and, lifting her skirts, hurried as fast as she could across the short distance between them.
“Farley! I must speak with you at once!”
He turned. “Hello, Madeleine, my dear. How is Gwenith today?” he asked pleasantly.
“Much better, Farley, but what’s this about skipping Summerville?”
Farley lifted his shoulders. “We was made a better offer, Madeleine. I have many people who depend upon me. I chose to go where we’ll earn more money.”
“So ‘tis Stanbury we visit next?”
“Yes, indeed.”
Madeleine turned and flounced off, passing by a laughing Ashby.
“Zut!” she said under her breath as she stormed away. “And I don’t intend on doing any “Hail Mary’s,” either,” she muttered to no one in particular.
Chapter 11
Stanbury was, Madeleine admitted to herself, one of the loveliest estates she’d ever seen. Although she loved her native France, and the wine country in particular, England in full bloom was spectacular. The lush, green hills rolled gently throughout the countryside, fading into forests filled with tall, strong trees that had stood for hundreds of years. She’d only been here two days, but she felt she would never tire of this scenery.
As she stood admiring it yet again, Evan tugged on her tunic to get her attention. Madeleine lowered her gaze to the colorful bouquet of wildflowers he held in his hands. He smiled at her, a wiggling, tousled—hair imp.
“These are for Mama,” he said, splitting the bouquet into two sections and indicating those in his left hand. “And these are for ye, Maddie.”
“Thank you, Evan.” Madeleine presented him with a quick curtsy then swept the flowers up, inhaling their sweet scent. “I shall treasure them.”
“O’ course ye will. They’re from me!” He squealed with delight and went running off to the tent area. He hollered over his shoulder. “And they’re from him, too.” Evan continued running, flying across the green grass as fast as a jackrabbit being pursued by dogs.
Madeleine cocked her head and frowned. “What did he mean by that?”
A voice that was all too familiar responded, “He meant that the flowers were from the both of us.”
She spun around and inhaled sharply. “Lord Montayne,” she managed to say calmly, although her heart beat as fast as the pursued jackrabbit’s. She was glad to have the flowers in her hands, else she’d be wringing them to no end.
“Madeleine,” he replied softly, a trace of a smile crossing his face. He nodded in Evan’s direction. “I came across Master Evan nearly an hour ago. He’s quite the fountain of knowledge.”
Madeleine sighed. “Evan is much too nosy for his own good, my lord. He’s a wicked little eavesdropper who then blabbers everything he thinks he knows.” She eyed Garrett warily and then turned to walk away, uneasy about what Evan might have told him about her. “And what did you learn?” she asked lightly.
Garrett fell into step beside her, and they strolled along the meadow. “Well, I did find out that Osbert is always in a good humor, even if he is the head mummer. Most head mummers have dreadful tempers, you know.”
Madeleine stared at him in wonder. “And what other information did Evan impart to our host?”
“Oh, only that Hannah and Ruth are terrible flirts, and Elspeth and Farley fight all the time, but they don’t mean a word they say. Derwyn does very good magic tricks when he isn’t drinking too much, and Mary lets Evan sneak sweets when no one is looking.”
Madeleine noticed the slight smile on Garrett’s face as he continued.
“Also, Jack wants to ask for Mary’s hand in marriage, but he’s afraid Mary’s father wouldn’t approve.” Garrett shrugged. “I’ve forgotten Mary’s father’s name, it seems.”
“’Tis Ellard,” Madeleine told him.
“Yes, that’s right. Ellard. And least I forget, Evan knows Edgar has a terrible crush on you, but he’d never think to ask you to marry him.”
Madeleine raised her brows slightly. “And why not, my lord? Am I not attractive enough for him?” she asked playfully. “Or mayhap because he’s so old?”
“Nay. Edgar would be pleased to have you as his wife, but it would be disloyal to the memory of his sweet Rosamund. Edgar does not wish to trouble her soul, since she watches his every move from heaven.”
Madeleine burst out laughing. “And you discovered all this in but one hour?”
“There was much more, but I’ve forgotten the rest. Mostly we picked flowers for his mother and you, and he rambled on a bit. He seems to love you both very much.”
Madeleine began nervously rearranging the bunch in her hands, not sure what to say. She finally remarked, “So, are you glad there will be so many strangers trouncing upon the lawns of Stanbury for the summer solstice?”
Garrett gave her an amused glance. “Better here than Lord Denton’s.”
“And why is that?”
“So you won’t be so far away.”
Madeleine quickly picked up the pace, her braid bouncing against her back. Garrett sped up and caught her elbow.
“Did my declaration make you uncomfortable?”
Madeleine stopped and studied him. His dark hair fell across his brow, the slight breeze giving it a tousled look. His brown eyes glittered, framed by long lashes. Chiseled cheekbones and a firm mouth completed the picture. She found her own mouth had gone dry, so handsome was he to look upon.
She recovered quickly, however, and said, “Of course it did, my lord. I am nothing to you, and I intend to remain nothing to you. I am not a woman of easy virtue, despite my mummer’s status. The loose reputation that actors hold is totally undeserved. I would ask that you keep that in mind.”
She moved to go, but he still held her elbow clasped firmly in his hand. She tugged. He refused to let go. “Kindly let go of me, good sir, or you will regret it.”
A knowing look came into Garrett’s eyes. “And what would you do, Madeleine?” he asked tauntingly.
Before she could think of something totally outrageous that would embarrass or defy him, a young girl appeared before them.
“Papa?”
The girl was younger than Evan, and had dark, wavy hair that fell just below her shoulders and dark, inquisitive eyes. Her complexion was milky white, with rosy blooms on each cheek, her mouth a pink rosebud. She reached out her arms toward Garrett.
Immediately, he released Madeleine and lifted the child up, kissing her soundly upon each cheek. The girl giggled and squirmed, and he placed her back down upon the ground.
Madeleine was amazed at the change that came over him. She had found him arrogant and caustic. Now he smiled and looked as any proud father might.
“Lissa, I’d like to present to you Madeleine. She will be singing with the troupe that has come to the faire.”
Lissa locked her arms around Garrett’s leg and buried her face in his knee. Pulling away slightly, she glanced up at Madeleine after a moment’s time. She caught Madeleine staring at her, and she mashed her face once again into Garrett.
He patted her head gently. “Lissa’s quite shy,” he said quietly. “She wasn’t always.” A hard look came across his face, clouding the pleasant expression that had been there momentarily. “At any rate, she doesn’t take to strangers well. In fact”— he leaned toward Madeleine confidentially—“she often doesn’t speak around them.”
Madeleine nodded. She loved children and though she regretted that she had not been blessed with any, she was good with them. Kneeling beside Lissa, she asked, “Have you ever been to a faire, Lissa?”
The child lifted one eye away from Garrett’s leg and peeked at Madeleine. “No,” she whispered and planted her face firmly back into his knee.
“Well, then ‘tis time you did. I know for a fact that your papa had this faire come to Stanbury especially for you.”
Once more Lissa peeped out. “He did?” She continued watching her with wide eyes.
“Of course he di
d. Your papa loves you very much, Lissa. Why, of all the little girls in England, your papa has the reputation of loving you the very most.”
“Really?” The girl’s head was now totally lifted from Garrett’s knee.
“Yes, everyone knows that, you silly goose.” Madeleine smiled at her.
“I’m not a goose,” Lissa said stubbornly, her bottom lip sticking out.
“But you could pretend to be one,” Madeleine told her. “All you have to do is think like a goose and quack.” She folded her hands under her and made a motion up and down as if she had wings. She hobbled along and began quacking, softly at first, and then louder as Lissa began playing along.
“Come, now, you can’t just quack like one, Lissa, you’ve got to act like one, too.”
Soon she and the young girl were moving along the ground, honking and squawking, their arms flapping up and down.
“Papa, Papa, you have to quack, too.”
Garrett shook his head. “No, sweet girl, a lord does not go about quacking in public.”
Lissa’s bottom lip poked out again. “Then don’t be a lord.”
Garrett looked around, but the closest people were on the far side of the meadow, well out of earshot. Still, he hesitated.
Madeleine looked at him pleadingly. “Please?” she mouthed.
Garrett squatted down. “I’ll stop being a lord. But ‘tis just for a few minutes,” he told his daughter.
Garrett made the best bird of all, his squawks and honks loud and very obnoxious.
“You sound very much like the real thing, my lord,” Madeleine told him.
“He’s not a lord,” Lissa said. “He’s a goose.”
Garrett groaned and quacked one last time. “This goose must stand, Lissa,” he said and rose to his feet. He then held out his hands to them and they both stood, too.
“I’m afraid I sound so real that someone will want to cook me.”
Lissa smiled at him and took his hand in hers. She placed her free one in Madeleine’s. “Can we see the faire now, Papa?”
Garrett looked at Madeleine and she answered for him. “Things are not quite ready yet, Lissa. It takes a few days to assemble everything.” She noticed the girl’s mouth turn down in a frown. “Of course, we could go and see what’s being done. That way you would know what you want to do once things are ready.”
Lissa’s answer was to tug on their arms and propel them along with her. They walked slowly, Madeleine pointing out the different wares to be sold.
“Over here ‘twill be things every woman needs—spices, salt, honey, soaps. Down this alley, coal, iron, tools, and knives will be sold.”
They moved further along and Madeleine stopped them again. “Here are where shoes and various cloths can be purchased. My favorite is the velvet because ‘tis so soft and the colors are so rich.”
“I have a velvet tunic, Madeleine. I got it for Christmas. Aga made it for me. She says I’m beautiful when I wear it.”
“Aga? Who’s that?”
Lissa ducked her head, her shyness returning after such a long outburst of familiarity.
“’Tis Lissa’s nickname for my mother,” Garrett replied. “We’re not sure how she stumbled upon the name, but she has remained Aga, nevertheless.”
Madeleine led them to a more open space, away from the stalls. Hammering echoed throughout, as many had been pressed into service. “Here will be the horses, Lissa. Men will come from all around to size up the horseflesh. A lord might buy a mare for breeding new stock, whilst a reeve might be sent to purchase several horses to help in the farming. You’ll want to bring your papa around to see the ponies.”
“Ponies!” Lissa exclaimed, the shyness nowhere to be found once ponies were mentioned. “Can we come see them, Papa, can we, can we, please?”
“I’m sure ‘tis something I can arrange,” he assured her. “There’ll also be dancing and singing, Lissa, and the mummers will put on several shows. Madeleine helps out there.”
Lissa’s eyes grew round. “What do you do, Madeleine?”
“First, I play a few songs to help quiet the crowd. Some have pretty melodies, while others tell stories.”
“You’re a troubadour?” Lissa asked in amazement. “Troubadours have to be men.”
“Not this one,” Madeleine said. “I also help narrate some of the plays. If we’re short—handed, I even play a part now and then, all in costume.”
“I want to hear you sing,” Lissa told her. “I like to sing.”
“You do?” Madeleine looked at Garrett. He shrugged. “Can you sing a song for me now?”
Lissa shook her head and wrapped her arms around Garrett’s leg again.
“Not again, little one,” he said and pried her away. He lifted her high above his head and then lowered her until she rested on his shoulders. He began strolling back the way they’d come until they reached the shade of an old oak.
Garrett lifted Lissa again, placed her on the ground, then wiped his brow and sat with his back against the trunk.
“You’ve worn me out, child.” He motioned for Madeleine to sit.
It took her a moment to kneel, and she took special care to arrange her leg.
Garrett then winked at Madeleine. “Oh, I’m so tired. Maybe you could sing us a song, Madeleine?”
As Lissa watched her eagerly, Madeleine saw Garrett shake his head slightly. “No, my lord, I’m sorry. I cannot sing unless I have my lute with me.” She paused, meeting his eye. “I wish I could sing without it, but I can’t.”
“I can sing without a lute,” Lissa said quietly. “I sing to my dolls every night before I go to sleep.”
“Then would you please sing for us, Lissa?”
The child began. She started slowly, a bit hesitant, but she grew in confidence as she continued.
It was obviously a song the girl had made up, but she had perfect pitch. Both Madeleine and Garrett clapped loudly when she finished.
Garrett hugged her. “I did not know I had such a talented daughter. You are very good, Lissa.”
She beamed at his words of praise.
Evan suddenly appeared and jumped into Madeleine’s lap. Jealously, Lissa climbed beside him. Evan pushed her aside, but Lissa was determined. She returned to her spot and held on to Madeleine tightly, despite Evan’s nudges.
“Quit shoving,” Madeleine ordered Evan. “I’ll not share a story otherwise.” Both settled down and listened quietly as she told a tale from the Arabian Nights.
When she finished, Evan jumped up, tired of being still so long. “Can you play with me?” he asked Lissa.
She turned to Garrett and he nodded. They took off holding hands.
“It seems Evan’s found a playmate,” Madeleine said. “’Tis a good thing. He’s been lonely with no children his age in the troupe.”
“I’m amazed Lissa went. She’s said more in the last hour than she has in the last year, Madeleine. You’ve woven a magic spell about her.”
Madeleine laughed. “No, ‘tis nothing I did, my lord.”
“But ‘twas,” he told her earnestly. “And I didn’t even know she sang so well. She’s never done it before.”
“Then you should encourage her. If she’s shy, ‘tis a good way to learn to open up.”
“Would you give her lessons?”
“Why me?”
“She’s relaxed around you. Maybe she could learn something of the lute, too. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen today.” He took her hand in his and pressed it gently. “She likes you, Madeleine, and she’s been through . . . a difficult time.”
“But do you trust me, Lord Montayne? I lied about who I was. You believe I stole your cloak, and now you think me a jewel thief, too.” She smirked a bit as she said the last remark.
“I do trust you, Madeleine.” There was no hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Will you help Lissa?” He looked at her eagerly. “I’d pay you, of course.”
Madeleine hesitated briefly, but the thought of making the enchanting girl—
and her father—happy helped decide her. It also wouldn’t hurt to have some additional coins for her trip to France.
“Yes, I’d be delighted to work with your daughter.”
Garrett helped her to her feet, and they both brushed off the bits of grass that clung to them.
Neither saw Royce as they passed by the group of men working to create the fences that would hold in the horses.
“Married, Madeleine?” he said under his breath. “And yet you dally with his lordship. We shall see about that.” He drove the nail through the wood in one angry blow.
Chapter 12
Ashby noticed how unusually quiet Garrett was throughout dinner. He had grown to be a taciturn man in the time since Lynnette had left, but the silence tonight was overbearing. He wondered what Garrett was contemplating, for beneath the silence he was pensive.
Garrett’s mother caught his eye. He could see the questions written on Edith’s face. He smiled at her reassuringly. He’d fostered with her and her husband, Ryker, from the time he was eight years of age and he loved her very much. Stanbury had become like his own home ever since. He’d been living there on and off for close to a score. He’d tried to be a good friend to Garrett throughout the years, especially during times of trouble. Luke’s death, Lynnette’s leaving, whatever the situation, he’d helped Garrett pick up the pieces and continue living.
Now, Edith continued to look puzzled. He smiled again at her and turned to Garrett. He’d do his best to draw Garrett out of the cocoon that surrounded him.
“Have you seen the faire being created right before our eyes, Garrett?”
Garrett grunted.
“I take that as a ‘yes’, Garrett?” he pressed on.
Garrett’s face cleared and he focused on his friend. “Yes, Ash, I walked about some today. Lissa was with me.”
“Papa! You’re talking about me.”
A blur dashed by the table and vaulted into Garrett’s lap. He gripped the table to prevent being thrust backward in his chair.
“Careful, my sweet,” he gently chided Lissa. “We almost went crashing to the floor.”
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