It had taken a long, hot bath and three servants to remove all of the blood and dirt from the battle. Caroline herself helped bathe her; she was sweet and overeager to help, and Alixandrea let her. Too soon the water grew tepid in the great copper tub and Caroline went in search of suitable garments since Alixandrea’s were still in the carriage that had not yet arrived. Caroline reappeared with a soft blue robe, many layers of finely woven linen, and helped her new charge dry off and dress.
Truth be told, Alixandrea felt better than she had in weeks as she finally sat before the warming fire, running a bone comb through her long hair and allowing the heated air to dry it. It was good to be in something that wasn’t rolling sickeningly over the road, and good to be in a place where she felt safe.
Caroline and the three servants continued to bustle in and out of the small chamber, sweeping out the dusty corners and making sure the linens and coverlet on the bed were moderately clean. Since they had not known in advance of her arrival, they made haste to make her comfortable. But she was already very comfortable and she finally put a stop to Caroline’s frantic hovering when the woman decided that the mattress needed new straw.
“Truly, Lady Caroline, there is no need,” she assured her. “The bed is fine. I will be most contented.”
Caroline, a pale beauty with flaming red hair, did not look at all convinced. “But this straw is old,” she insisted. “I do not even know when last it was changed. I would feel much better if we were to provide you with fresh stuffing.”
Alixandrea shook her head, a smile on her lips. “My lady, you have been far too kind already. I would be grateful if you wouldsimply sit and talk to me. It has been a long time since I have conversed with a lady.”
Caroline’s green eyes brightened and she did as she was asked. She was a tiny thing, quite a bit smaller than Alixandrea, and she took a seat upon a small three-legged stool that had been upended near the hearth. She faced Alixandrea with her hands folded neatly in her lap, waiting anxiously for her guest to begin the conversation. Alixandrea nearly laughed at her expectant expression.
“Tell me of yourself, Lady Caroline,” Alixandrea said. “How long have you been married to Sir Mark?”
She blinked her big green eyes in thought. “We were married nearly two years ago, my lady,” she said. “We met at the marketplace in Wandsworth, outside of London. My father is the Lord Mayor of Wandsworth.”
Alixandrea tugged at the comb that had become stuck on a tangle. “Was it love at first sight?”
Caroline’s pale cheeks pinkened. “Not quite,” she said. “My father had to convince him that taking me as his wife was a good idea. Mark did not want to marry at all.”
Alixandrea lifted an eyebrow. “That seems to be a Wellesbourne trait.”
Caroline grinned. “Not with Luke. He wants to marry very badly,” she said. “Now, tell me; did you meet with the enemy on the road and Matthew rode to save you? He is quite a knight. I know this because every time my husband starts telling stories about his valor in battle, he sends me from the room.”
Alixandrea suppressed a smile. “He will not let you hear?”
“Nay. ’Tis too horrible for a lady’s ears, he says.”
And you believe that? Alixandrea did not say what she was thinking. “I met Sir Matthew and Sir Luke in a tavern at the edge of Newbold. We ran into each other, you could say.”
“You were at theHead O’Bucket?”
“You know the place?”
“Only because the men go there when they want to get away from Wellesbourne. They have told me that it is a lively place with interesting people.”
Alixandrea looked at her, aware that this woman may be slightly naïve, and slightly simple minded. Not that she was slow; simply that she seemed to have a rather gullible view of the world.
“It was certainly a busy place,” she did not want to shatter the woman’s illusion. “Have you never been?”
Caroline shook her head. “Mark will not allow it. He says that it is no place for a lady.”
“He is correct. You are far too noble for a place like that.”
It was a compliment that flushed her cheeks even more. Caroline wasn’t sure how to respond; it did not occur to her to ask why Lady Alixandrea was at the place when it was allegedly too harsh for ladies. For lack of a better action, she stood up and took the comb from Alixandrea.
“Allow me, my lady,” she offered.
Her small, white hands worked their way through Alixandrea’s hair, expertly combing and fluttering the tresses so that the warm air dried them quickly. Alixandrea had an abundance of hair, wavy strands that ended just below her buttocks. Drying the mass would take a small eternity if not handled correctly.
“I used to do this to my sister all of the time,” Caroline said after several moments of combing. “She had hair much like yours. I miss doing this for her.”
“It has been a long time since you have seen her?”
“She died a few years ago in childbirth. She was sixteen years old.”
“Oh,” Alixandrea remarked softly. “I am sorry for you. I have never had a sister, but I can only imagine your grief.”
