by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Lynette Sowell
“I need to go get into my costume,” she said as they crested the knoll on the side lawn.
“Your costume?” Andy asked.
“Yes. I’m going to dress like a lady would in a castle in 1400 AD.”
“What’s that?”
She smiled. “I’ll let your dad explain it while I get dressed.”
When she came down to the big entry hall a half hour later, Luke and Andy were just coming in, scraping their boots on the doormat. “Austin’s here,” Luke said. The boyish pleasure disappeared from his face. “He just drove in, with Liza and North behind him.”
Andy looked anxious, too. Jayne went to help him take off his snowsuit, but when the front door opened, he wriggled over to Luke and stood close against him, clutching his father’s arm.
A middle-aged couple dressed in designer skiwear walked in. Jayne stepped forward. “Mrs. Dillard? I’m Jayne Barncastle. We spoke on the phone. Welcome to Barncastle Inn.”
“Thank you. I must say the place is impressive.” Her sharp eyes darted about the hall, appraising the burnished wood and festive decorations. “This is my husband.” She spotted Andy, who was clinging to Luke’s leg. “Hello, young man. Come give Nana a kiss.”
Andy burrowed his face deeper into Luke’s pant leg. Mrs. Dillard’s frown encompassed both the boy and his father.
Jayne registered them quickly and took out their keys. Behind the Dillards, two couples in their midthirties entered, with three youngsters slinking in last. The boy had earbuds in place and stood with his hands shoved in his pockets, not making eye contact. The two girls alternately glared at each other and peeked around suspiciously. Perhaps Nana’s idea of fun didn’t appeal to them.
Jayne was grateful when her parents came down the hall.
“Good afternoon, folks. I’m Ted Barncastle, Jayne’s father, and this is my wife, Diane. We hope you’ll have a pleasant stay.”
The two girls eyed their peasant retainer outfits and shot each other an amused glance.
“May I help with your luggage?” Dad asked.
“Yes, we have three more bags in the Camry,” said North’s wife, Hillary.
“Oh, and Ray,” the Dillards’ daughter, Liza West, said to her husband. “He can get my other suitcase and your laptop, too.”
North went out with Jayne’s father and Ray West. As Jayne distributed keys, Luke and Andy watched in silence. Once Jayne thought Luke would speak, but his jaw tightened and he said nothing.
Liza held up her key. “How quaint.”
Jayne smiled. “We’ve put you and Mr. West in the Chateau Room, across from your parents. Your son will be in the Squire’s Room.” She handed twelve-year-old Michael West his key.
“That’s where Daddy and I slept last time we came here,” Andy said.
Michael’s eyebrows shot up, and he stared at Andy as though shocked that his young cousin could talk. “Cool. Where are you this time?”
Andy grinned for about half a second, then reined in his glee. He turned his face against Luke’s hip and mumbled something.
“What did he say?” Rosalyn asked. “Speak up, Andy.”
“He said we’re in the tower room,” Luke replied. “The West Tower, that is.”
“Can I be in the other tower?” Chelsea asked.
Jayne hesitated. “I’m sorry, the East Tower is part of the family’s private quarters.”
“No fair.” Chelsea made a face of disgust.
“We’ve put you girls in the Lady’s Bower,” Jayne said, watching her face closely.
“Oh, joy.” Emma turned to her mother. “Do Chelsea and I have to sleep in the same room?”
Her mother, Hillary Dillard, flushed slightly. She cleared her throat and turned a weary smile on Jayne. “I assume our party is using all the available rooms?”
“There is another room along the hall from the Earl’s Suite, where we’ve put Mr. and Mrs. Dillard—Mr. and Mrs. Austin Dillard, that is. It’s smaller, and it has only a single bed, but it’s every bit as comfortable as the others. Each room is unique, and that one is called the Friar’s Room.”
“I’ll take it,” Emma said.
Jayne opened the drawer for the additional key. She’d almost decided not to decorate and prepare that room, as the Dillard family didn’t seem to have need of it, but Mom had encouraged her to spruce it up and have it ready, just in case they showed up with an extra person.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Emma took the key. “Now, who’s going to carry my stuff up?”
“I will,” Luke said.
North, Ray, and Jayne’s father came in loaded down with luggage.
“Where to?” North asked.
Mom stepped forward with a smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Austin Dillard, Michael, and the Wests can come with me.”
“And I’ll show Emma, Chelsea, and Mr. and Mrs. North Dillard to their rooms.” Jayne left the desk and smiled at Hillary. “You and your husband will have the Library Suite.”
“You have to sleep in a library?” Chelsea’s lip curled.
“Hey,” Luke said sternly, “they’re going to love it. I’ve seen it, and it’s one of the nicest rooms ever. Two levels, and a ton of bookshelves with one of those neat rolling ladders.”
“Great,” said Austin. “If I need something to read, I’ll know whose room to visit.”
Luke lingered in the hall to help Ted sort out the luggage. Andy stuck near his father as Jayne led her contingent of guests up the stairs. She took North and Hillary to the Library Suite first. Even blasé Chelsea lost her apathy when she saw it.
“Oh Mom, this is so cool!” She and Emma headed for the circular staircase that led up to the library level above the large bedroom.
Jayne said to North and Hillary, “There’s another door to the library balcony from the hall upstairs, in case that winding stairway doesn’t suit you.”
“This is perfect for us,” North said. He strode to the window and looked out on the lake. “Beautiful property you have.”
“Thank you. Would you like me to light the fire in the fireplace for you?”
“Not right now,” Hillary said.
Jayne nodded. “Feel free to start it later, or to call downstairs for one of us to do it for you.”
Chelsea had no complaints either when she saw her large, airy room with its floral garden theme and balcony, and Emma pronounced the small Friar’s Room, tucked under the tower stairs, “awesome.” Jayne felt drained as she made her way down to the kitchen. She’d told the guests that drinks would be served in the parlor at six o’clock, and she went to help her mother mix the punch.
“What do you think?” Mom asked as she entered the kitchen.
Jayne shrugged. “So far, so good. Let’s hope the jugglers show up on time.”
Dinner was going quite well, Luke thought.
Andy ate quietly beside him, and the others chatted almost amiably while Jayne and two other women served. Chelsea and Emma only launched into an argument twice, and Liza sniped at North once. Luke didn’t try to understand what she was mad about. Hillary asked Jayne about the women’s costumes and declared them “darling.” Luke wouldn’t have used that word, but the outfits were eye-catching and flattered the ladies’ figures. They wore dark skirts and laced bodices over flowing white shifts, topped by long aprons—practical and at the same time contributing to the atmosphere.
A woman in a flowing green gown came in and played the lute while they ate. Her medieval ballads lulled him, and he almost forgot how he and Austin had sparred verbally the last time they’d met. Maybe they could get through this week without a confrontation.
He looked down the long table. Austin sat in a large, carved chair at the head—lord of the castle. Creamy candles burned in three branched silver candlesticks between bowls of Christmas greens and cones, and the electric lights were turned low. He could almost believe they’d gone back five hundred years.
Two young men in bright patchwork jesters’ costumes entered. The
minstrel slipped away, and the jugglers began to perform, one on each side of the table. They were pretty good, and they bounced jokes off each other as they tossed and caught several balls.
They had everyone laughing until one of the balls hit themistletoe-festooned chandelier and ricocheted off one of the candlesticks, knocking it over into the gravy boat.
Flames leaped two feet in the air. Chelsea and Emma screamed. Everyone along the center third of the table leaped up. Luke grabbed the platter that had held bread and dumped the remaining rolls on the table. He flipped the platter over on top of the flash fire. Silence hung for a moment; then Ray said, “Well done, Luke.”
Smoke hung thick in the air. Luke stared at the charred, greasy mess on the tablecloth.
“I’m so sorry,” the juggler stammered.
“Of all the—” Rosalyn glared at Jayne.
Andy burst out in a wail that grew louder as they all stared at him. Luke scooped him up in his arms and headed for the hall. As he passed Jayne, she seemed on the verge of tears.
Chapter 7
Jayne pasted on the brightest smile she could muster. “Well! Won’t that dunk your tabard in the rill? Ladies and knights, may I suggest we serve your pudding in the parlor?”
Austin chuckled. “Ah, Mistress Jayne, might I inquire about coffee?”
Jayne stared innocently at him. “Why, your lordship, I know not of what you speak. But we have a new beverage brought in not a fortnight past by a trading vessel. Would you like to try it? I’m told it’s prodigiously bitter, but some like it.”
Austin guffawed. “I’ll try it, lass. Come on, gang. Let’s adjourn so the serfs can clean up the mess.”
Jayne corralled the two waitresses and hurried to the kitchen. She quickly filled in her parents, and they all bustled to dish up the dessert. After giving the waitresses instructions to stay calm and cheerful no matter what, Jayne went into the hall where the jugglers waited with long faces.
“I’m sorry, Miss Barncastle,” the younger of the two said. “I’d give anything to undo it.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “There now, Nathan, don’t worry about it. Accidents happen.”
“I guess they won’t want juggling lessons now,” his companion said.
“I don’t know. I think I’ll wait until tomorrow to suggest it.” She handed Nathan an envelope.
“You don’t need to pay us,” he said. “Joe and I talked it over, and we don’t think you should.”
“Nonsense. You worked for a good fifteen minutes before it happened, and you were doing great. You made a mistake, but you acted maturely.” Although not all the guests did, she thought.
Behind her, the stairs creaked, and she turned. Luke stood on the landing. “Is Andy all right?” she asked.
“He’s upset. I was going to just put him to bed, but he wants his pudding. Would that be—”
“I’ll bring a tray to your room.” Jayne turned back to the young jugglers and reassured them once more. “I’ll call you tomorrow, boys. Please don’t stress about this.”
Voices reached her from the parlor.
“Calm down, Mother,” North said sharply. “This is a nice little inn, and we’re here to enjoy it. Don’t forget that.”
“Oh, so now you’re lord of the manor,” she heard Liza retort.
Jayne turned toward the kitchen and pulled her apron up to catch her tears.
When Andy was asleep, Luke tiptoed down from the tower carrying the tray of empty dishes. He left it on the desk in the hall and entered the parlor.
Austin rose. “Is the boy all right?”
“He’s sleeping.”
“I expect he was overtired,” Rosalyn said with a bitter note to her voice.
Luke ignored her and stepped toward the fireplace.
“I’d like a word with you, Luke,” his father-in-law said.
Luke’s stomach turned. Was Austin going to lecture him about Andy’s behavior? He went with him into a smaller sitting room the Barncastles called the Abbott’s Chamber. It appeared to be a comfortable office. Austin sat down in the leather-covered chair behind the desk and gestured toward a second chair.
“Sit down, Luke. We haven’t talked for quite some time.”
“That’s true, sir.” He’d only spoken privately with Austin twice since Edie’s death, in fact. Both times had ended in a bitter parting, and he hadn’t much hope for a better outcome tonight.
“I want you to come back to the firm.”
Luke took a breath to calm himself before answering. “No.”
“Just like that? No?”
“No.”
Austin scowled. “Surely you’ve had enough of hiding in the countryside. It can’t be good for Andy either. The boy needs socialization—”
Luke stood. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Hear me out.” Austin jumped up. “We’ve had enough of your heroics. Rosalyn wants her grandson back. Well, we both do. We miss you and Andy.”
Luke bit his bottom lip, unsure how to respond.
“How can you deny a woman time with her grandson?” Austin asked.
“I haven’t denied her anything. She’s capable of coming to Vermont to visit. Even so, I’ll try to bring Andy down to Hartford more often.”
“But the firm—we need you there, too.” “Austin. No.”
“I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I doubt it.” Luke turned and opened the door.
“Come back here! What do you mean by that? How dare you—”
Luke hurried toward the stairs, his heart pounding. Jayne stood in the kitchen doorway, a stricken look on her face.
Tuesday was going well, Jayne thought. Rosalyn had set out for the sleigh ride with a dubious look on her face, but she’d come back laughing. She’d spotted a darling little shop in the village she wanted to explore that afternoon. She took Liza, Hillary, and the two girls with her, and the afternoon was quiet at the castle while Ray and Luke took Michael and Andy out sledding. North and his father seemed to have holed up in their rooms—with their computers, Jayne suspected.
It wasn’t until nearly suppertime that Andy sneaked into the kitchen and crept to her side. Jayne was preparing salad dressing for the evening meal when he tugged on her skirt.
“Well hello there, Sir Andrew. How art thou?” Her smile faded as she noticed tear streaks on Andy’s cheeks. She stooped and hugged him. “What’s the matter, Andy?” “Everybody’s fighting again.”
“Everybody?” Her mother was taking a sheet of hot cookies from the oven, and Jayne met her gaze over Andy’s head.
“Grandpa’s mad ‘cause Nana bought a really old platter,and Uncle North told Emma she had to take back the shirt she bought.”
Jayne wished they had a pillory for the offenders. “I’m sorry, honey. Where’s your daddy?”
“He went out to look at Uncle Ray’s car for him.” Andy gave a sob. “And Emma and Michael were making fun of me.”
“Why?”
He shrugged and hid his face. “They said I’m a baby.”
Jayne stroked his hair. “Oh, you know that’s not true.”
“I want to go home.”
“Aw, Andy.” She held him close. “If you went home now, you’d miss the fun. Tomorrow the fencing master is coming to give you a lesson in sword fighting.”
He leaned back and blinked at her. “Really? I get to do it?”
“Yes.”
“What if Emma and Michael beat me at swords?” He gritted his teeth.
“I’ll bet they won’t. But these are special swords that won’t hurt people, and you’ll wear padded clothes when you do it.”
Mom came over with a plate of cookies. “Andy, I’ve got a couple of gingerbread men here for you and Miss Jayne. Would you like to sit up at the table with her and have some milk and cookies?” Andy nodded and swiped at his final tear.
Jayne led him to the table. “Thanks, Mom.”
As she pushed Andy’s chair in, the door opened and Luke peered in.
“There you are, Andy. What are you doing in here? The ladies are trying to work.” “It’s okay,” Jayne said.
Mom grinned at him. “Hot gingerbread men.”
“Oh, I can’t resist that.” Luke came in and took a seat. He eyed Andy’s face critically but said nothing about the drying tears. “I’m sorry Andy bothered you while I was busy.”
“No problem,” Jayne said. “I’m glad he felt he could come to me when he felt uncomfortable.”
“Maybe you can tell me about it later,” Luke said.
She nodded. “I think we’re going to be fine, but it’s always nice when your dad shows up. Right, Andy?”
Andy nodded and bit off his gingerbread man’s arm.
“Make sure the older kids take it easy on the little guy, okay?” Jayne smiled at Bill as he carried in the equipment for the class he would hold in the big entry hall.
“I brought an assistant along just for Andy.” Bill held the door open and a small boy came in with his arms full of padded fencing jackets. “This is my nephew, Kenny. He’s seven.”
“Perfect! Andy will love this.”
Michael appeared at the top of the stairs. “Oh cool! Real swords.”
“Would you tell your cousins that Sir Pantheon is here to instruct you?” Jayne asked.
Within five minutes, all of the youngsters had assembled in the hall. Chelsea and Emma didn’t even try to act bored. North and Luke stood by, and as soon as the foils began to clash, the other grown-ups appeared as well.
“Looks like fun,” North said.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having a go at you with a sword,” Liza told him.
Bill grinned at them from behind his screened mask. “I’m willing to show you folks a few basics later if you like. Let’s give the kids an hour first, and then we’ll suit you up. I’ve got some adult-size gear in the truck.”
By lunchtime even Rosalyn had taken a turn, and everyone talked eagerly across the table about their lessons and the fun they’d had.
“Nice job,” Dad told Jayne when she carried a tray of dirty dishes to the kitchen.