Dustin shook her head in resignation. “You mean that Douglas and Westley are foolish and pesky,” she said. “I know they are. They have always been like that when they are thrown together, and I did not want Douglas to come to Brython, but my husband insisted. He said that they boys are growing up and must learn to work together, as men. I suppose he is right, but that means they have been your burden, and for that, I am sorry.”
Elle laughed softly. “I am not,” she said. “They are eager and fast learners, or at least Douglas mostly is when he is not pining away for women. He is so excited about this feast that he and Myles went into the village of Presteigne and purchased perfume to attract women. I think they smell like a rubbish fire, but they are convinced the scent will attract women.”
Dustin rolled her eyes and turned back to her sewing kit. “God help us,” she said. “I suppose I should see my sons and assess the damage of the rubbish fire perfume. I do not want them shaming the entire family.”
“Nay, do not,” Elle said, turning back for the mirror to check her careful hairstyle, which was simply a braid that had been intertwined with blue ribbon and pinned in a circle around the back of her head. “They will know I have told you, and I do not want them to think I am gossiping about them. If you must see to them, then do not tell them I mentioned it. I do not want to embarrass them.”
Dustin looked at her. “You have a kind heart, lass,” she said. “From what Chris told me, I had wondered. And worried. But I can see now that there’s no hate in your heart for my lads.”
Elle turned away from the mirror, looking at her. “There was, once,” she said honestly. “I was taught to hate your sons and men like them. But a strange thing happened when I married Curt—I discovered a world where hate wasn’t the usual thing. A world where there was laughter and affection. A world where I was not scrambling to find my next meal or wondering if I’d have enough wood for the fire. I am not saying that I no longer feel strongly for my people, because I do, but I understand that hate will only bring hate. It does not help the Welsh for me to hate the English or my husband. And I do not hate him at all. I couldn’t if I tried.”
Dustin smiled as she shut her sewing kit. “I am happy to hear that,” she said. “I know from experience how difficult it is to marry someone you do not know, someone you’d rather not marry, and suddenly, you find yourself in his world, for better or for worse.”
“Curt told me about your introduction to Lord Hereford,” Elle said. “I was told you fell out of a tree right in front of him.”
Dustin chuckled. “I did,” she said. “Right onto my back. I thought I was dying. Then I looked up to see the biggest man I’d ever seen standing over me. I think I tried to strike him or kick him. I do not exactly remember, but I do remember seeing his face for the first time. It was like looking at the face of God.”
Elle lifted an eyebrow. “Did you hear how Curt and I first met?”
“You charged him from the top of the wall?”
Elle nodded, sighing with some embarrassment. “It was… memorable.”
Dustin laughed, going to her and taking her hand. “And look at you now,” she said. “The Countess of Leominster, the futureCountess of Hereford and Worcester. What a grand position you have now, my lady. I think you are going to do great things for your new family as well as for your people.”
Elle wasn’t used to such female encouragement, especially that of kindness and positive thinking. Considering her grandmother had only spouted poison, this kind of reinforcement from Curtis’ mother was something quite new.
But something she knew she could come to like.
“Like what?” she said. “Both Curt and Lord Hereford have said I can do more for my people in this position, but I do not know what. Or how.”
Dustin patted her hand as she led her toward the door. “Do what all fine ladies do,” she said. “Go to the local church and become a patron. The priests will tell you where you can help. Mayhap it is feeding the poor or providing clothing. Mayhap it is helping school the children of your lands, helping them learn to read and write. I know that is not usual for poor families, but if children learn a skill, they can grow up to use it. They can become better than their parents and live a better life.”
Elle liked that idea a great deal. “I already give alms to the poor when I can,” she said. “I have given money to the church, but I wanted to do more than that. Do you think that’s what they meant about helping my people? By making sure they have a better life?”
Dustin opened the chamber door. “I am certain of it,” she said. “Your position is only limited by your imagination, Elle. Think great thoughts and make a name for yourself. We will all be quite proud of you.”
She was smiling as she said it, leading Elle onto the landing so they could take the stairs down to the keep entry. But Elle was still thinking on what Lady Hereford had said—we will all be quite proud of you. God’s Bones, was that really true? Was there someone out there who would actually be proud of somethingshe accomplished, even if it wasn’t killing Englishmen or hating them to their very guts?
A novel concept, indeed.
And a good one.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Does she knowI have been invited?”
“She will when she sees you.”
Gruffydd had been the one to ask the question of Curtis as they stood on the wall of Brython Castle, something he was quite familiar with. He’d arrived a short time earlier, having received the invitation to the feast as an ally of the House of de Lohr, only to discover his sister didn’t know he had been on the guestlist.
That changed things a bit.
At least Gruffydd knew where he stood. He was to be a surprise. But he could see by the expression on Curtis’ face that it might not be so bad.
Hopefully.
“Don’t you think you should have told her?” Gruffydd said. “Given our history, it would have been the kind thing to do.”
