Chapter 4
The front door to the little house was open, and Keira called out a greeting.
“Come in, come in.” Dame Lamb hobbled to the door, smiling when she saw Keira standing at the threshold. “How lovely of you to come and visit.”
For as long as Keira could remember, Dame Lamb had been old. Her white hair was neatly tucked away at the nape of her neck and hidden beneath a lacy cap, while long, bony fingers clasped the shiny knob of a walking stick which wobbled slightly as she shuffled towards the door.
She nodded at the basket in Keira’s hand. “What’s that you have, dear? Have you brought me some of those wonderful preserves Mary is so renowned for?”
Keira nodded. “I have.” She pulled the cloth off the basket, revealing the contents.
“Wonderful!” The old lady tapped her stick on the ground. “Well, don’t just stand there, girl. Come inside and sit down.”
Keira followed her obediently, taking a seat on a stool which rocked precariously. Beneath her feet the floor rushes rustled while fleabane and lavender, strewn over the rushes, released their sweet fragrances. She glanced around the room, taking note of the bed that had been placed near the large, open fire.
“Your father moved my bed downstairs for me,” Dame Lamb said. “I couldn’t manage the stairs any longer.”
“I’m sorry,” Keira said.
“Tsk, don’t be! We all have to get old sometime, child. I’ve outlasted my husband by twenty years. It’s about time I moved on.”
“Don’t say that,” Keira said. “Who would tell us about the faeries if you weren’t here?”
Dame Lamb’s eyes sparkled merrily. “You, of course, my dear. Why do you think I told you all the old tales?”
Keira laughed. “I thought you were just diverting my attention so I wouldn’t interrupt your spinning.”
“Well, that too! Now pour us some wine, child. You know where to find the cups.”
Keira nodded and headed over to the heavy wooden cabinet in the corner. The shelves were sparse, with just a few cracked wooden bowls and plates, and two clay cups. She took them down and filled them with watered-down wine from a pitcher on the table.
“Not too much, child,” said Dame Lamb. “Wine is dear these days.” Keira returned some of the wine before handing the old lady a cup. She took a sip, and puckered her mouth. “Dreadful stuff, this,” she said. She placed her cup on the table and turned to look at Keira. “Now, my dear, when are you getting married?”
Keira spluttered out a mouthful of wine. “Married, Dame Lamb? I have no plans to get married.”
“Well, why not? I was married at fifteen, you know, and like me, you’re also getting on in years.” She grinned, revealing a gap between her teeth. “It’s about time you got married and relieved your father of the burden of providing for you. What about young Edmund? I seem to recall your mother saying once that you were intended for each other.”
“Dame Lamb,” Keira protested. The old lady held up a hand.
“I know you don’t want to discuss this, child, but someone needs to talk some sense into you. What is your objection to Edmund?”
Keira sighed. Dame Lamb was not the only one concerned about her future. It was a constant irritant in her relationship with her parents, especially her mother. She thought back to the last conversation they’d had on this subject, only a few days prior.
“What are you waiting for?” her mother had railed in frustration. “Reeve Hobbes has spoken to your father about finalizing a marriage contract between you and Edmund.”
“I don’t want to marry Edmund, Mother,” Keira had said.
“If not Edmund, then who? Widower Brown? He’s expressed a desire to take you to wife many times over the last five years. He doesn’t have Reeve Hobbes’ fortune, but he does have some money.”
Keira had shuddered at the thought. Widower Brown was at least thirty years her senior and suffered from gout. His breath was always foul, and it was well known that he was frequently deep in his cups. She doubted he’d bathed once in the last five years, and she dreaded to think what creatures might reside in his long, bushy beard.
Mother nodded, noting Keira’s shudder with satisfaction. “Edmund will make a fine husband, Keira. He’s charming and thoughtful, and will give you a comfortable life. One day he’ll replace his father as reeve, and you’ll have the chance to expand your social circle beyond our little village. You know it was the dearest wish of his mother and I that you two would form an alliance.”
Keira sighed. It was true that Edmund was charming and thoughtful – when he chose to be. But he had a mean streak that Keira could not ignore. She thought of young Jamie, a boy from the village. He was sweet and kind, but a little slow in the head, and walked with a gait. She had come across Edmund and his friend Alan teasing Jamie once, poking him with a stick to get him to move faster. She’d quickly intervened, stepping between Jamie and Edmund. Edmund had laughed, but he’d narrowed his eyes in a way that sent a sliver of fear through Keira. A few days later, someone had thrown Jamie down the well. He was rescued a few hours later, sobbing and incoherent, but when he’d finally calmed down, he refused to name his tormentor. Keira had no doubt, however, that Edmund had been responsible.
That wasn’t her only complaint about Edmund. At the annual harvest festival the previous year, he’d grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into the shadows of the churchyard. He’d stroked her face, then grabbed her chin when she tried to pull away. He’d kissed her then, forcing her lips apart with his tongue, and when she resisted, he slapped her across the face. “You’ll be more obedient when you’re my wife,” he’d snarled, before turning and stalking away.
As she’d stood before Mother afterward, Keira rubbed her hand over her mouth, trying to erase the memory of the kiss.
“Edmund’s not the person you think he is,” she said.
“Nonsense,” Mother had said briskly. “All boys have their youthful foolishness. But he’ll make a fine husband.”
Keira was brought back to the present when Dame Lamb patted her hand. “There are worse things than being married to that boy, my dear,” she said. “Starving at the side of the road would be far less tolerable. If not Edmund, settle on another man and secure your future.”
Keira smiled absently. The truth was, she could not imagine spending the rest of her life with anyone from the village. She wasn’t fanciful enough to expect a love match, but she did want to like the person she would be sharing a home and raising children with. The image of Aaron rose in her mind, but she pushed it away forcefully. He’d be gone in a matter of weeks, back to the city. She was fortunate that her parents had not yet forced her into marriage, but it was just a matter of time before they took matters into their own hands. Lately the possibility of taking holy orders had become more appealing. As a bride of Christ, she would not be a burden to her parents, and her life would have some purpose and direction. She’d never felt the calling, but perhaps, she reflected, she had not been listening? And a life of prayer and contemplation was infinitely more attractive than the idea of marrying Edmund.
She took her leave of Dame Lamb a few minutes later. She’d only gone a few steps when she heard someone call her name, and she turned in dismay to see Edmund walking towards her.
“Keira. Where are you going?”
“Good day, Edmund,” she said.
“I saw you walking with that stranger earlier on. What did he want with you?” A slight emphasis on the last word turned the question into an insult, which Keira chose to ignore.
“We were headed in the same direction, so he offered to walk with me.”
“Don’t forget you’re intended for me, Keira,” he said. “I’ll not have you make a fool of me.”
“Until we’re betrothed, you have no say in the matter, Edmund,” Keira said, turning away from him. He caught her by the arm and spun her back to face him.
“You think you have a choice, Keira, but
you don’t. That man would never be interested in the likes of you. We both know you’d never be more than a diversion to him.”
“There are others who want to marry me, Edmund.”
Edmund laughed. “You mean Widower Brown? You’re welcome to marry him if you want, Keira, but somehow I don’t think you will. I’m biding my time now because it suits me to do so, but one of these days, you will be my wife.”
Keira pulled her arm free from Edmund’s grasp and tossed her head. “Perhaps you’re right Edmund, but know this. I will make your life so miserable, you’ll regret the day your mother and mine ever laid eyes on each other. Hell will be preferable to a life with me.”
Edmund smiled. “Ah, Keira, you really think I’ll give you the freedom to do what you want? I’ll bind you to the bed, and after I’ve had my fill of you, I’ll leave you to sleep on the floor. You’ll be no more trouble than a snappy mutt that can be flung outside when he grows too tiresome.” He leaned closer, his nose only inches from hers. “So I suggest you take the time before we’re wed to learn some respect and obedience.” He turned and strode away as Keira watched with a sinking heart. The call of the church was suddenly thundering in her ears, pounding with each beat of her heart. She turned towards home. The sun was already dipping low in the sky, and there were chores to be completed before this day ended.
Bound by a Dragon Page 4
