Part 33 (2/2)
”It be my token ring from Jan,” Merry told us solemnly.
Alas, her triumph was short lived, for it seemed Jan had stolen the ring. He had taken it from my father's possessions and when it was discovered there was a great upheaval in the castle.
Merry quickly lost her token ring and wept for it, but even more bitterly did she weep when Jan received his punishment. We three shut ourselves away so that we could hear nothing of it, but quite a number of the servants gathered in the Seaward courtyard. Jan was tied to the whipping-post and given ten lashes.
”'Twill be the shame of his life,” sobbed Merry. ”He be such a proud man. He only took to give to me.”
Senara's eyes flashed with anger. ”A curse on those who are beating Jan,” she cried. ”May their arms rot and ...”
I silenced her. ”Whoever lifts the whip against him does so on orders,” I said. ”And, Senara, please do not say such things.”
”I mean them,” she cried.
I knew who had given the order for punishment. It was my father.
We comforted Merry as best we could. Senara prepared an ointment for she was interested in such things, and we sent it over for Jan's back.
”It will let him know that we are thinking of him,” said Senara, ”as well as help to cure him.”
The atmosphere of the castle had changed. An air of melancholy had descended on us.
There was a letter from my grandmother.
She was glad to hear that Fenn and his sister were coming to stay with us.
I'm afraid this could never have happened while his grandmother was alive (she wrote). Now, poor soul, she is at rest and perhaps the feud between the two families will be over. I could understand, of course, her bitter sorrow when her daughter died and some people must lay the blame for their sorrow on other shoulders. It's a great mistake. You will see Fenn again and I am sure you will enjoy his company. I believe his sister Melanie is a charming girl.
My dearest Tamsyn, how I should love to join you, but I fear the journey would be too much for me. Perhaps later you would come to me. I have not been very well. Edwina is often here. I shall look forward to your being here soon, my dear child. Let me know about Fenn's visit.
It was high summer when they came-Fenn, his sister Melanie, his mother and their servants. They were to stay for a week and my stepmother had made great preparations for them. She had evidently taken a fancy to the family; I was worldly enough to know that it was because they were rich. They had large estates about Trystan Priory and although in the beginning they had lost money in the trading venture there were rumours that that was now proving very successful.
When they arrived a warm welcome was given them. My stepmother was gracious and charming and my father too received them with a show of pleasure. Fenn looked pleased to be back and I was thrilled to see that when his eyes alighted on me they showed clearly his pleasure. There was something open and candid about him; he was the sort of man who would never be able to hide his feelings even if he wanted to. His sister Melanie was rather like him in appearance; she was quiet and gentle in manners; and their mother was a very gracious lady. I couldn't help thinking that Trystan Priory must be a very pleasant, comfortable household.
Fenn was put into the Red Room once more; and Melanie and her mother shared a room close by.
Supper that night was taken in one of the smaller rooms-so that we could talk together, said my stepmother, before other guests arrived. So there were my father, my stepmother, Fenn, his sister and mother, and Connell, Senara and myself. Conversation was of the estates and of the trading company of which Fenn spoke with such enthusiasm and how pleasant it was for families like ours to get to know each other.
I could scarcely sleep that night; nor could Senara. We lay awake on our pallets talking about the evening.
”What mild people they are,” commented Senara. ”They look as if nothing could arouse them. I have a good mind to set fire to their bedchamber. I daresay that girl Melanie would sit up in bed and say: 'How strange. I believe the room is on fire,' and then calmly walk out as though nothing had happened. Shall I set fire to it just to see if I'm right?”
”What a horrible idea! You do think of the strangest things.”
”One day I shall do them.”
”Please, Senara, you know I hate you to talk like that.”
”Why should I care what you hate? I hate to see you looking at that Fenn as though he's Sir Lancelot or one of those knights who were irresistible to the ladies. You don't care about that.”
”You have a very jealous nature.”
”Anyone who feels anything is jealous. It is only people like you and your silly Landors who don't. They're calm because they don't feel anything. I think you're all made of straw.”
I laughed at her, which infuriated her.
”Don't think you are the only one who knows about love.” Her voice broke and there was a sob in it. ”I wonder what is happening to d.i.c.kon now.”
”I dare say he found another post teaching music and dancing to a susceptible young girl. They now gaze at each other over the table and he sings songs to her as he plays his lute.”
”Don't talk so,” cried Senara.
”I'm sorry. Do you still care about him?”
”Of course I don't, but I don't want him laughed at.”
”I'm not laughing at him. I'm sorry for him. I hope he found a good post quickly.”
She changed the subject. ”That Melanie will soon be living here. They've chosen her for Connell.”
”What!”
”It's true. Merry heard them talking about it and she told me. It's more or less arranged. They only have to like each other. Connell will, I dare say. His father wants him to, so he has to; and as long as he can frolic with the serving wenches he's ready to marry whoever is chosen for him.”
”Where do you get such ideas?”
”I keep my eyes open. Servants talk to me more than they do to you. They'd be afraid to tell you. You're so proper.”
”Connell and Melanie,” I said.
”Don't sound so surprised. Is it not obvious? It's time Connell married ... you know, get sons to carry on the line. Connell will be rich-he'll inherit all this ... and she will have a good dowry, you can be sure. Just imagine, in a little while I'll warrant we have dear prim little Melanie installed as our sister.”
”Well, I think Connell will be lucky.”
”You would! And Connell, what of him? He won't get much fun with her, I'll swear. Well, the serving girls are always willing when it is the master of the house, which he will be in time.”
”You talk too freely, Senara.”
”What should I do? Cloak my thoughts as you do ... or try to. Don't think I don't know you, Tamsyn Casvellyn. I see clearly what is in your mind. You betray it and if you did not I have means ...”
I laughed aloud. ”Oh, I see, this is the witch's daughter speaking.”
”Never underestimate a witch, Tamsyn.”
”How many more times do I have to tell you not to speak of yourself as a witch. It's dangerous and growing more so.”
”This is only in the four walls of our bedchamber. I trust you, Tamsyn, not to betray me. You would never betray anyone. Least of all your sister, Senara. We are sisters, Tamsyn. Do you remember when I made you cut your wrist and I cut mine and we mingled our blood and swore that we would come to the aid of the other when that one was in danger?”
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