The Lady of Fairhaven

by Lee Scott

  The older man read through the dowry on one document. “Are we all agreeable to the terms? Lady Gillian?”

  “Aye,” she said flatly. Her eyes never left the parchments.

  Something was terribly wrong with her demeanor. Luke had never seen her so deeply depressed and distant. For now it was enough that she was signing the documents. Besides, it was in her best interest. He would determine the cause of her melancholy later.

  As Gillian signed the parchments her hand shook. Luke signed next and then her guardian. Finally, each stamped their insignia to the hot wax sealing the parchments. It was done.

  “I am weary and wish to return to my room,” Gillian announced. There would be no celebration, no toast to the match.

  The bride-to-be pushed up from the chair. Luke stepped forward.

  “Nay, Sir,” Gillian chided. “I will succeed on my own.”

  “Let me help you to your room then,” Luke offered. Her rebuke stung. She was in pain and refusing his help.

  “Thank you, but no. Sir Giles waits for me beyond the door.”

  Luke nodded and watched Gillian walk to the door. He longed to rush over and sweep her into his arms and carry her to her room.

  As Gillian walked through the doors, Giles stepped forward and the proud figure slumped against him with a loud cry of pain. Effortlessly, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to her room.

  Oliver, who was standing next to Luke, was watching with interest. “Overwrought, I suppose. These business matters never seem to agree with the weaker sex,” he said. “I imagine you will want to take your father’s bride to him as soon as possible.”

  “Aye,” Luke answered. “Not tomorrow but three days hence. I would leave as soon as possible but one extra day will give Gillian more rest.”

  “As you wish. Please excuse me. I have pressing business to attend to in the village,” Oliver said. He exited with the steward leaving Katherine and Luke standing in the library alone.

  In both a demanding and accusatory tone, Luke asked, “What has happened to Gillian? Why is she acting so? Did you speak with her?” Gripping Katherine’s shoulders, he shouted, “Answer me!”

  Katherine shrugged away. Her smile never faded as she looked Luke in the eye. “We talked of women things, chores around the castle, how to fulfill obligations and how to please a man, if possible at all. Mayhap you would care to have another bath?” Katherine purred. Her hand slid up the small of his back to his shoulder.

  It was now all to clear what had passed between the two. In a dead run, Luke leaped up the steps two at a time to get to Gillian’s door. At least he could ease her mind where he and Katherine stood. Giles stood guard at the door.

  “Good day, Sir,” Giles greeted him warmly.

  “Good day,” Luke replied. “I wish to see the Lady Gillian.”

  “I regret that she has given orders that no one enter. She is exhausted and in much need of rest.”

  “To that I can agree, but there is a matter I must speak to her about. It is of great import. Certainly, she could not mean to exclude me.”

  “In fact, she mentioned that you were not to gain entrance. I do not pretend to know what has happened, but she is exhausted and very unhappy. I believe the only cure now is rest. Truly, she is most ill.”

  Luke stepped to the door and pounded on it. “Lady Gillian, it is Luke. Please let me speak to you. It is of some import.”

  “Nay. I wish to speak with no one,” came the voice from the far side of the door.

  “Lady Gillian, please allow me entrance,” he asked again.

  “Nay!” It was then that Dog’s low vicious growl rang out from just the other side of the door. Snapping teeth and scratching caused Luke to back away. He turned from the door, and walked to his room. He new he would have ample opportunity on their trip to set the matter right.

  After two sleepless nights, Luke’s mood darkened. He could not convince Giles or the other guards to allow him to see Gillian. She had refused entrance to everyone except Anne. Even a note given to Anne was returned unread.

  To take his mind off Gillian, Luke resorted to overseeing the loading of supplies for the journey. It was only after this that he ordered his bath. He left strict instructions that no one was to interrupt his bath. He would attend to himself.

  The warm water soothed his body and allowed some of the frustration to recede. It was after a few minutes that the door quietly opened and Katherine slipped inside.

  “I left instructions not to be disturbed,” he barked.

  “I certainly couldn’t have been included in that order,” she said slyly

  “It most especially included you. What do you want?”

  Katherine walked over to the tub and dropped to her knees. She opened her robe to expose her bared breasts. “We had such a lovely time yesterday. I thought you might like to start again.”

  “Leave me!” he yelled. “I do not want you here.”

  “But you enjoyed my company yesterday. I was telling Gillian how I should like to replace her as chatelaine. The task was most pleasurable.”

  Enraged beyond words, Luke stepped out of his bath and snatched Katherine by the arm. Her full creamy breasts bumped together rippling in rhythm to her steps as Luke lead her to the door. He opened it and tossed her from his room. “I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed. Now be gone!”

  Katherine sprawled on the floor. Her breasts protruding from the open robe. The young squire guarding the door stared, not sure what to do. Then, with a smile, he reached forward and offered Katherine his hand. Conscious of her nakedness, Katherine ever so slowly covered herself, giving the young man a generous look at her charms.

  Chapter Eight

  Gillian wrenched awake from the deep sleep that eluded her for most of the previous night. The faintest tint of gray had colored the horizon before her eyes considered sleep. At present she was irritable and out of sorts. Rarely did she wake up in a poor mood, but today was the exception.

  Anne no longer attended her and last night her presence had been sorely missed. Her friend’s words of counsel and support were what she had needed, and she was driven to pray for the sweet silence of sleep without any comfort.

  “Your uncle is going hunting with that fine knight, Sir Luke,” Cecily announced as she entered the bedroom and immediately had to sidestep Dog.

  Gillian noticed that Cecily’s admiration of the knight showed through in her warm voice but she held back from responding. It was enough that Lady Katherine had suspected romantic feelings between the two, and Gillian didn’t want anyone else having the same thoughts.

  “This poor creature more than likely is begging to go with them,” Cecily said with a chuckle. Her laugh was contagious and in spite of feeling tired and angry Gillian giggled.

  “I believe you must be right. Dog do you want to hunt?” Gillian asked the animal as if he would reply. The animal’s ears perked up, and he tilted his head as if waiting on her every word. “Let’s go,” she said. Both women laughed again as Dog’s tail wiggled so hard his hind legs had trouble maneuvering across the slick stone floors.

  Gillian soon entered the yard with Dog and walked over to Sir Luke. “I would thank you for your kindness to me. It was unexpected but most pleasing.”

  “Kindness and protection should never be unexpected from me or my family, Lady Blakely,” Luke explained. “I would like to leave for my father’s estate as soon as possible. When might you be able to travel?”

  “I should think in one day, Sir,” Gillian said with a smile. “I look forward to…” A puzzled look formed on her face as it did in her mind. She wasn’t sure what she was looking forward to. Perhaps safety or kindness was what she longed for. It certainly wasn’t marriage with a man old enough to be her father. She could only pray he was as kind as his son. She never finished her thought.

  “Sir Luke, I wonder if you would have need of Dog on your sport today? He is an excellent hunter. His mouth is soft in spite of his eagerness to
please. Perhaps you could find use of him. Mayhap Sir Simon would find him useful as well.”

  “Aye, Miss Blakeley,” Luke said with a smile. “I notice you do not offer him to you uncle’s use.”

  “I’m afraid Dog and Uncle Oliver have not found a true appreciation of one another. It is best to keep the two separated since neither have developed any patience, and I would venture that neither will discover it this fine morn.”

  “Would he do well without your company?”

  “Hunting is a part of the life I believe he sorely misses, now that my father is gone.”

  “And what about you? How will you fare without your pet?”

  “I daresay I will survive. I have much to occupy my day with the preparations for my journey, and Dog does not always get enough exercise. He does so enjoy the hunt, and it would do well for the two of you to get acquainted.” Gillian paused in thought. “Do I ask too much to inquire if he will be able to travel with us?” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. Even if he had no interest in Dog, Gillian knew that Luke could never refuse.

  “I would be surprised if Dog allowed anything else,” Luke teased. “He seems to have the same iron will as his mistress.”

  “I will take that as a compliment. I wish you three a good hunt.” Gillian then smiled and nodded her thanks. She then turned and walked back into the hall to begin her daily routine.

  Katherine stood next to Oliver’s horse as she bid him good day. Her hair was pushed back into a cap but the disarray of errant hair wisps spilled out around the edges. At first Katherine’s attention focused on Oliver. All men involved in the hunt duly noted her ill temper, and each, in turn, moved away from the wrath that could spill over to them. Backs were turned. Horses and riders silently moved away. The Lord’s lover was on a rampage and no one wanted to feel the ill effects of her indisposition.

  Even Gillian had no inclination to take on Katherine’s wrath. Using her good judgment, she sidestepped the leman to return to her room. As was typical of Katherine’s countenance, her disdain of any deed Oliver might inflict upon her could only be surpassed by her hatred of Gillian.

  “Lady Gillian,” she shrieked into the still morning air, “I would have a word with you.” Gillian stopped and assumed the customary defensive posture she always used with Katherine.

  As he rode from the castle he glanced once more over his shoulder and saw the two engaged in conversation. It would be improper to interfere; however, the unhappy nature of the conversation would haunt his thoughts for the remainder of the day.

  Luke and the hunting party were gone for much of the afternoon. The hunting was very successful and provided ample opportunity for Luke to observe the countryside. He immediately noticed how abundant the crops were and how plentiful the game appeared to be. The countryside boasted many healthy streams providing drinking and agricultural water along with an ample supply of fish.

  It would have been impossible to hide the well being of the communities as well. Huts and cottages were well maintained, the villages were kept clean with shaded parks and well-tended fences.

  They camped at midday to a meal of bread, cheese, dried meat, and fruit. The lunch packed was still another indication of the efficiency of the manor and that of its chatelaine. Stores for every occasion were organized and maintained and easily at hand.

  It was a beautiful day, and Luke’s horse pranced through the woods like a young colt. Dog had tracked down a deer and had circled around to drive it back toward Luke. The knight had struck it with deadly accuracy with his arrow. The deer died from a wound in its neck. Dog immediately moved away to find other prey and maneuver it into the sights of the hunters.

  But it wasn’t only deer Luke that concerned Luke. Twice, he had lost track of Oliver’s exact position. He had the eerie feeling that the man was lurking in the copse nearby. He passed it off but years of training kept him alert. After making his shot and killing his second deer, Luke watched Oliver step out of the copse. Mumbling something that could be misinterpreted as either friendly banter or a subtle threat, Oliver turned and mounted his steed putting the disagreeable man out of hearing range.

  Storm, Luke’s steed was a champion among destriers. His manners were not only bred into him, but exercised with frequent training. Oliver’ stallion was well bred to be sure, but it was trained for battle where silent patience was not needed or always desired. In the hunt Oliver’s horse stomped and snorted its way through the underbrush. Small animals and birds frequently startled the beast, sending it’s hooves into a clatter so loud, all other woodland creatures would seek shelter.

  Lady Gillian prepared her belongings for her trip to Longmore. Never having made an extended trip before, she was unsure what things she would leave and which she would take. Reminding herself that she should be able to send for anything she sorely missed made her feel somewhat better.

  Precious momentos of her past were packed with special care. A locket from her mother held a special place. A dirk encrusted with gems from her father was wrapped and placed in the bottom of her chest. Several dresses given to her from her parents were all folded with special care.

  Gillian hurried to the hall where she took inventory of the articles it contained. Many expensive tapestries adorned the walls, but one in particular was a favorite. It depicted her father hunting with his dogs. The emotions it evoked tore at the chatelaine’s heart.

  Viewing it once again changed her resolve to leave the great hall as it was. Certainly, she thought, no one would begrudge her one special tapestry at her new home. She was determined to have it packed with her meager belongings and set the servants to the task of carefully removing it from the wall.

  “What is this?” shouted Katherine from beyond Gillian’s view.

  “I am taking this tapestry with me,” Gillian explained.

  “You shall not. It is one of my favorites,” Katherine sputtered.

  “For you it is merely a fine work of art. For me it is part of my past, my history, my family.”

  “You shall not have it. It looks well on that wall, and I care not what you want. I’m tired of you having your way. All this will change…” Katherine spewed fire until she overstated her situation. Her face registered more fear than contrition.

  “Please understand this, for I am weary from trying to explain. This estate and its belongings have been given to me. Simply that you are here does not make the dwelling or its contents yours. Do not attempt to make decisions that will affect me or my possessions. I will no longer tolerate your interference.” Gillian knew she had been overly harsh, but her patience had snapped with Katherine’s ill temper and greed. Gillian turned to oversee the wrapping of the tapestry and ordered it carried to the solar where her other belongings were being temporarily stored.

  “ Do not underestimate my position in this estate. I am the Lord’s leman and with that I am due some consideration. You would be wise to understand that I will be in charge after you leave. And I do have some power even now,” Katherine growled.

  As if not listening to a word uttered, Gillian made her way to the solar to oversee the packing progress. It took her a full ten minutes to still her racing heart.

  Leaving the staff on its own left Gillian feeling uneasy. She had always provided the direction and support for all major projects as well as the mundane operation of the estate. It worried her that it might fall into disrepair after she took her leave. She knew Alice had been well trained and could continue on in her absence if need be. It was beyond worry at this point in time.

  Gillian dreamed of her trip to Longmore with Luke as she filled and packed he precious healing herbs. One of her major worries was the task of healer for the manor. She had always cared for injuries and illness since her mother had given her instruction.

  As she stood before the table facing the window she heard someone enter her storage area. She took no time to check the identity. Few people but the cook ever journeyed here. Every herb for healing and cooking could be found in t
he cool dry room.

  Katherine stood at the end of the storage room. “Lady Gillian, please let me apologize for my ill temper this morning. I have wanted a fine horse such as the one that Sir Luke brought to retrieve you and Oliver has refused it. My anger lashed out at you rather than where it was rightfully placed. Please come and have some tea with me.”

  “I am occupied with the packing at present, Lady Katherine. I pray you will excuse me.” Gillian answered. She had little desire to sit and spar with Oliver’s whore this morning.

  “Please, we will have little time left to speak of matters of the estate. I should know how you do things so I can please Oliver and maintain an efficient home. Your counsel would do me great honor,” Katherine said.

  Her request to learn more about the running of the manor was perhaps the only persuasion that would entice Gillian to sit with the vile woman.

  “I have a new tea that I should like to try. It came from China and is said to be quite flavorful. Would you share a cup with me in my room?”

  “Certainly,” Gillian answered and followed Katherine upstairs where they entered the master’s suite.

  “Lady Gillian, do you wish me to continue to pack the herbs you have selected,” asked Alice. She was in the kitchen ordering hot water.

  “No thank you Alice. I am taking tea with Lady Katherine in the master’s rooms, and will be back to the task in a short while.”

  Gillian hadn’t been in the room for months and was glad it remained virtually untouched. The royal blue curtains with gold fringe were so elegant. She wondered what it would be like to live in such luxury. And it wasn’t as if she lived in poverty or anywhere close to it. Her quarters were more than adequate.

  Two chairs placed at a small table near the window were waiting for Gillian and Katherine. The tea poured, Gillian drank down a portion. Along with the tea were some delicate sweet biscuits.

  “What do you wish to know about the manor?” she asked. It was her intention to get this chore over in haste so she could return to packing herbs into a small trunk. Speaking with Katherine always ended up in some conflict or another. She had no doubt this would be an exception.