by Ruth Kaufman
“Aye!” she screamed loudly, letting go of his hair which set them off balance. They fell to the ground, never losing their connection.
“Arrrgh!” he cried out in a loud, low bellow, and then his body stilled atop hers as they both lay there silent, trying to gain their breath and quiet their hearts.
Echo sat up after a while and handed him his torn tunic. “I guess this will be my first lesson in sewing,” she said.
He looked at her and raised a brow as he pulled on his undergarments and tied the lacing. “So you are going to continue with your training as a lady after all?”
She got to her feet and brushed off her gown, surveying her torn tippet. “If I don’t, we might have to walk around naked for lack of anything to wear.”
He chuckled and donned his tunic though it was close to shreds. “Nay, but I tend to think if we keep coupling like this I will need to send a trade ship overseas for more cloth, that’s for certain.”
She followed him out of the mews with Skye on her shoulder. She wondered why he’d stopped just outside the door and then she saw why.
There in the courtyard stood all the servants, knights, lords, and ladies in residence. Even her son, to her horror, stood holding Lady Perdita’s hand. Everyone was quiet and looking at them.
“What is everyone looking at?” asked Garrett, trying to piece his tunic back together with his hands. Then he reached over and picked a few strands of straw from Echo’s hair.
“We heard screaming,” said Sir Jacob with a smile on his face. “We came to the rescue.”
“I assure you no rescue is needed.”
“I can see that . . . now,” said the knight.
Then someone from the back of the crowd started clapping, and someone else cheered.
“Get back to the meal,” ordered Garrett. “Or get to work, but I won’t have my manor standing here gawking as if there was anything out of the ordinary going on.”
“Wasn’t there?” asked Sir Jacob.
“Nay,” he answered. “Now that I am married to Lady Echo,” he ran a hand through his hair and looked away, “that may be a common thing around here so just get used to it.”
“Mama,” said Edgar rushing to her side. Echo scooped him up, placing a big wet kiss on his cheek. He smiled and wiped it off shyly. “Mama, I thought I heard you scream. Are you alright?”
She glanced over to Garrett, and he looked at her and froze.
“Why don’t ye ask yer new father?” she told him.
Garrett’s eyes opened wider and he shook his head. Then he smiled at Edgar. “Your mother is just fine. Believe me, she is . . . more than fine.”
Echo smiled at him in return, knowing that what he said was true. She also knew now that she would go through with her training as a lady after all, because she could never go back to living the life of a pirate after that.
Chapter 13
Garrett rode atop his horse with little Edgar in his arms. Echo followed, sitting side-saddle on a horse of her own. Skye flew in circles above them, following them everywhere they went.
“How about we stop here and spread out a coverlet on the ground and have a bite to eat?” asked Garrett.
“Sounds good,” said Echo. “I don’t think my arse can take any more of this saddle, anyway.”
Garrett laughed, thinking how much he loved that raw side of her. It was what made her so unique and made him so attracted to her at the same time. If he didn’t really need her to act like a lady, he would just let her act however she wanted, and that would be fine with him.
Garrett dismounted with Edgar clinging to him. It had only taken a fortnight of paying attention to the boy, and he’d warmed up to Garrett. And he had Echo to thank for the idea of the three of them spending time together. They’d been doing it often, and he really enjoyed it.
With Edgar balanced on one arm, he held out his other arm in a chivalric gesture to help Echo down from her mount.
“I don’t need help,” she said. He cleared his throat and continued holding his arm out to her.
“Oh, that’s right. A lady accepts help off her horse.” She reached out for his assistance, putting her hands on Garrett’s shoulders and slid to the ground.
“Are you my daddy?” asked Edgar, causing both of them to look at each other.
“I am married to your mother,” said Garrett. “So aye, I am your father.”
Garrett put the boy on the ground and smiled as he watched him run after a butterfly trying to catch it. Then Skye landed on a stump near him and he ran after the hawk, trying to catch it too. The bird took off up into the air.
Garrett never knew being a father would be so fulfilling. He only wished his brother could have had the chance to see his son grow up. But ’twas his responsibility now to watch after his brother’s son. And to watch after Echo, too, whether she liked it or not.
“Let’s eat,” said Echo, opening the travel bags that were fastened to the horses. She pulled out the food that she, herself, had packed up from the kitchen this morning. “I’m starved.”
“Echo,” he said, putting his arms around her. “This was a wonderful idea for the three of us to spend time together.”
He’d spent the last few weeks with Echo and Edgar, not only going to mass and having outings, but also taking a close-up tour of his demesne. Edgar enjoyed petting the sheep and goats, and Echo had enjoyed visiting the alehouse.
“I agree,” she said, looking up and kissing him.
“You realize, some day we are going to have to tell him the truth about who his real father is.”
“Some day, but for now he is young and he doesn’t need to know.”
“What is going to happen when he starts asking you about your past life as a pirate?”
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t even remember that anymore. I wouldn’t worry.”
Edgar ran up just then with a stick in his hand, using it like a sword.
“Aye, matey,” he cried. “I want te steal yer coins.”
“Really?” Garrett looked at her and raised his eyebrows.
“’Tis just a phase,” she told him. “I am sure he doesn’t remember anyone aboard the Seahawk anymore.”
“Where’s grandpa?” he asked, looking up to Echo.
“Who?” she asked, and Garrett knew she was hoping he didn’t really remember.
“The Cap’n,” he said. “Cap’n Powell. Ye know. The pirate!”
Garrett had a sinking feeling in his chest. Even if Echo could pull this off, he knew getting the child to stay hushed wasn’t going to be so easy.
When they’d returned from their little outing, Echo decided she’d spend the rest of the day learning to become a lady. She sat in the ladies solar now, furiously sewing one of Garrett’s torn tunics just like she’d been taught. Lady Perdita and Lady Eirian were with her, having taken her under their wing. They taught her to sew, how to make a tapestry, and most importantly how to speak like a lady. Garrett was going to be so pleased. She felt she was progressing quickly. This was even easier than she’d previously thought.
She pricked her thumb with the needle and jumped.
“Damn yer eyes!” she cursed, and held her thumb to her mouth. That’s when she saw both the women staring at her. “What?” she asked.
“You cursed again,” explained Lady Eirian. “Now remember, a lady does not speak in that manner.”
“And no more belching,” said Lady Perdita with a smile.
“I’m sorry,” she said, knowing she had to concentrate. She had been mastering the speech of a lady well. But when she got upset, she went back to her old ways, and sounded like a pirate once again. She continued, but pricked herself a second time.
“Ummmph,” she said, holding back the oath threatening to spill forth from her lips.
“Mayhap you should try something else for awhile,” said Lady Eirian, taking the sewing from her. “Let’s see how you walk.”
“Walk?” She jumped up and stomped across the floor, kicking rushes ev
erywhere in the process. “Like that?” she asked. “That was easy.”
She saw Lady Perdita giggling behind her hand.
“Almost,” said Lady Eirian, walking up behind her and pulling her shoulders back. “Now stand more erect and hold up your skirts as you glide across the floor.”
“Stand erect,” Echo repeated and started to walk. But the word erect only reminded her of Garrett and excitement coursed through her to think of where they might couple next. They’d already done it atop the battlements, in the back of the alehouse, and in the stable as well. She really wanted to climb the bell tower of the church and do it there, but Garrett had said it wouldn’t be appropriate for anyone, be they pirate, lady, or nun. She knew he was jesting about the nun. Wasn’t he?
She tripped and ended up on the floor with her legs spread and her skirts hiked up past her knees. That’s what she got for being distracted.
“Let me try that again,” said Echo, concentrating this time as she picked up her skirts and tiptoed through the rushes. She wobbled back and forth as she tried to balance, stay erect, and hold her skirts all at the same time. She felt ridiculous, but if this is how a lady glided, then glide she would, whether she liked it or not.
Lady Perdita raised her brows. Lady Eirian smiled and cleared her throat.
“How did I do?” asked Echo. “Not bad, right? I am a very fast learner.”
“Mayhap that should be the end of the lesson for today,” Lady Eirian suggested.
“Aye,” said Lady Perdita nodding her head. “I think you should go out for a breath of fresh air.”
“Aye. So do I,” she answered in a thankful sigh. All this work was exhausting. She’d never felt so tired even when swabbing the decks or pulling the rigging aboard the Seahawk. This lady’s work was tedious and tiring on the mind.
She thanked them for their help and left the manor. Once outside in the glorious sunshine, she knew she needed more than just fresh air. She needed to release some stored up frustration from all this hard training of becoming a lady. She looked around and didn’t see anyone paying attention to her. She knew what she really needed was a good workout with her weapons and a bottle of rum. She may look like a lady and sound like a lady, and even act like one, but inside she would always be a pirate. Who was she fooling?
She knew the practice yard would be empty this time of day. She also knew that Garrett’s new squire had hidden a bottle of rum in the stable. She’d seen him take a swig and hide it beneath the hay when he thought no one was watching. She looked around once more, picked up her skirts and darted off before anyone saw her.
Garrett gave a last instruction to his new squire, Colton, and sent the boy on his way to brush down his horse and clean his weapons. He’d only lived at Hythe for a few months now, and took his time in seeing to a new squire since his previous one in Blackmore died from an accident just before he left. His squire, Dempster, had been mauled by a wild boar on one of the hunting trips. He never should have gone off by himself against Garrett’s orders. If he had listened, he’d still be with Garrett today.
He turned the corner on his way to the practice yard, meaning to get in an hour of practice before the meal, when he heard a noise from the far end of the yard. Someone was partially hidden in the shadows of a tree. He stopped dead in his tracks when he realized ’twas Echo. She had her sword drawn and was sparring with the air, talking to herself. Then she put down the sword and picked up a bottle of what he knew had to be rum, and took a deep draw.
He backed away so she wouldn’t see him. He didn’t know if he should reprimand her or just pretend he didn’t see it. His head wanted him to race out there and yell at her and ask her what she was doing. His heart said to leave it be. If he pushed too hard, she would turn away and ’twould drive a wedge between them. Mayhap he needed to give her time to adjust, be he wasn’t sure about anything anymore. All he knew, is that the Lord Warden would be here in less than a fortnight, and Echo was far from ready.
Sir Jacob walked up just then and Garrett turned around quickly, trying to block his view so he wouldn’t see Echo.
“She comes here often,” the man told him.
Damn, too late. He’d already seen her.
“She also spends time atop the battlements when she knows you are away for the day at the docks,” the knight relayed.
“What am I to do?” asked Garrett. “I don’t want anything to jeopardize my visit with the Lord Warden.”
“You just have to trust her,” said the knight. “And just know that whatever is meant to happen, will.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Garrett, running a hand through his hair. He turned and headed back to the manor, pretending like he never saw a thing.
Chapter 14
Garrett’s men had returned from the herring festival in Great Yarmouth, and to his delight, they’d brought with him a good supply of herring for his larder as well as coin from the supply they’d sold while there. He’d taken only part of the proceeds for his manor in exchange for residency of his knights and also rent from the villeins of his demesne. The rest, he’d let the portsmen keep for themselves, as he was ever grateful for their service as well as for the use of their ships.
He readied himself now for a hunt, as he truly enjoyed the chase, and hadn’t been on a hunt since the death of his last squire.
“Colton,” he directed his new squire. “Make certain you don’t wander while on our expedition. Wild boar can be a challenge and also very unpredictable. I would hate to lose another squire to the hunt.”
“Aye, my lord,” said the boy, bringing Garrett’s horse out into the courtyard where the rest of the hunting party waited anxiously.
Garrett was readying to mount his steed when he saw Echo, riding sidesaddle, hawk on her shoulder, coming to join them.
“What are you doing?” he growled.
“I’m coming with, my lord,” she answered, smiling at his knights, the squire, and even the kennelgroom.
“Nay, you’re not. Now get off the horse and get back to the ladies solar where you belong.”
She shifted in the saddle and he noticed she had a dagger, a throwing dirk, and her eating knife all attached to her waist belt. Behind her on the horse she had secured her sword – which he’d reluctantly given back to her – and even a throwing spear was tied to her saddle.
“Ye said a lady often escorted her guests on huntin’ trips as well as went hawkin’, didn’t ye?”
She was obviously upset, as her words started sounding like a pirate’s once again.
He heard a few giggles from his men and walked over to her horse to speak with her privately.
“Echo, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Well, I need te learn, so I want to come with ye.”
“Aye, let her come,” said Sir Jacob, riding up on his horse, obviously overhearing his entire conversation.
Garrett just shook his head. Wasn’t anything about a man’s life private?
“We don’t need hawks on this trip,” he told her. “We are hunting venison and wild boar.”
“Skye won’t be a problem,” she said. “And I have my spear ready te take down the boar. I can’t wait!”
“You are not going,” he told her again. “’Tis too dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” she laughed. “Remember who ye’re talkin’ to.” She gave a sideways glance to Sir Jacob, as she tried to remind Garrett she was a pirate and at the same time not give away her identity. “I have done many more dangerous things than huntin’ a little boar. Now please, I want te come with and learn.”
“If you think a boar is little, then you really have no idea at all, sweetheart.”
“We’ll watch over her,” said Sir Dwight, riding up on his mount to join them.
“Aye,” agreed Sir Jacob. “And ’twould be refreshing to have Lady Echo with us, as sometimes these trips can get boring.”
“That’s right,” said Sir Dwight. “We haven’t seen a boar all season, so what are the
chances we’ll even find one? She’ll be safe. Baron Garrett, do let her join us.”
Garrett didn’t know what was happening, as it suddenly seemed like everyone was on Echo’s side. He could see what Sir Jacob had told him was true. They all did like Echo. And while the thought made him very happy, it also made him very nervous. He no longer knew what to expect.
He looked up to Echo sitting on her horse, looking more like a lady than she ever had. She’d been trying so hard lately to please him, and he wanted to please her too. Sir Dwight had been living in Hythe longer than Garrett and would know more about what they would find on the hunt. Perhaps ’twouldn’t matter if she came with, as they probably would never even see a dangerous boar this entire trip anyway. And he would enjoy having Echo to warm his tent at night.
“All right,” he agreed, watching her frown turn into a smile quickly. “You can come with, but you need to listen to everything I say, and don’t wander off through the woods on your own. Do you understand?”
“Completely,” she said, urging her horse to the front of the line in eager anticipation.
“Good choice,” said Sir Jacob nodding his head.
“Bad choice,” he mumbled heading to his horse. “And I know I am somehow going to regret it.”
Echo followed along happily as the hunting party made their way to their destination in the woods. Skye circled in the air above them, following on their journey as well. Her legs cramped from the silly saddle, and she tired from riding the horse which she was not yet used to. Still, she didn’t say a word to complain for fear Garrett would send her back to the manor and she would miss the whole exciting hunt.
“We’ll stop here for the night,” said Garrett, holding up his hand for his entourage to start making camp.
“Thank the heavens,” mumbled Echo, sliding off her horse though Garrett had dismounted and was coming over to help her.
“Oh,” she said. “Does helping a lady from her horse go for hunting trips too?”