The following day dawned clear. Rosamund was ready at first light to begin her trek home to Claven’s Cam. She bid each of her daughters farewell individually, and in their turn. “I will make no decision regarding Friarsgate for now,” she told Philippa. “I know you think you won’t, but you might change your mind about it. I just want you happy, my daughter.”
“I won’t change my mind, mama, but I think you wise to wait before deciding what you will do. It is a valuable inheritance for whoever will get it. I am happy in my choices, but remember that I always love you.” Philippa hugged her mother. Then lowering her voice she said, “I know what Uncle Thomas was saying to you yesterday. Can you prevent conceiving another bairn after this one is born?”
Rosamund nodded. “I’ll tell you someday when the time is right. If you marry, Philippa, bring your husband to meet me. I know Tom will guide you in your choices.”
“I will,” Philippa promised. Mother and daughter hugged a final time.
“Now, Banon,” Rosamund said to her second daughter, “listen to your uncle, and obey his advice. He is a wise man. Wiser than your sister, though she thinks she knows it all. She doesn’t. Take your uncle’s counsel first.”
“I will, mama,” Banon replied. “Philippa’s choices will not be my choices. And I shall be home to Otterly in the spring, for I take my responsibilities there seriously. Uncle Tom says the manor could not have a better mistress than me,” she finished proudly.
“I am certain he is right,” Rosamund said. “Send to me when you return.”
“I will,” Banon said, and hugged her mother. “And send to me, mama, when you have birthed my new brother.”
Rosamund nodded, and turned to Bessie. “Are you sure you won’t come with me?” she asked her youngest daughter.
“Nay,” Bessie replied. “I am happiest here, although I am happier when you are with me, mama.”
Rosamund fondled one of Bessie’s thick blond braids. “If you change your mind, send to me. There is plenty of time before the snows come.”
Bessie smiled at her mother. “If I change my mind I will,” she said, but they both knew she wouldn’t. She kissed her mother’s cheek, and moved away.
“Now don’t you go weeping,” Maybel said tartly, coming up to Rosamund. “I’ll take good care of the lass, and you know it.”
“I hate to burden you at this time in your life, Maybel,” Rosamund said. “You are no longer young. You are already several years past a half century.”
“Well, some may be old at my age, but I ain’t!” Maybel declared. “And for your information, Mistress Hepburn of Claven’s Cam, your uncle is still a most vigorous fellow, and he’s four years my senior. I have more than enough energy to raise another lass. What would I do if you took our Bessie away from me? Don’t you even think about it, Rosamund! Would you break my heart?” Her weathered face sagged with sadness.
“No, no!” Rosamund cried, and she hugged Maybel. “I just did not want to encumber you if you could not do it. Bessie is not an easy child.”
“She is a perfect little darling,” Maybel protested.
“Then she is yours,” Rosamund laughed. She turned to her uncle. “As always I know I can entrust you with Friarsgate’s safety.”
“You can,” Edmund Bolton said quietly.
“Come, darling girl, your bold borderer is chafing at the bit to be on his way, and your rowdy sons are every bit as bad. You have said your farewells to everyone but me. I adore you, cousin! I shall look after our lasses. I shall make everything right for Philippa, and Banon shall have a wonderful time at court. Write to me.” He kissed both her cheeks heartily, and then led her outside to help her onto her horse. “Farewell! Godspeed! ”And he smacked her horse lightly upon its rump while giving Logan Hepburn a broad wink. “Farewell, dearest Logan! Until we meet again,” he called as the Hepburns of Claven’s Cam went on their way. Then turning to the others he said, “I am ravenous, Maybel! Is the food ready? My lasses and I must soon be on our way as well.”
“Well, why are you standing there posing then?” she demanded of him. “Come into the hall, my good lord!”
Rosamund turned to look back at her family, and she could not help but laugh. There stood Maybel shaking a finger at Tom. Banon and Philippa had linked arms, their heads together as they talked. And there was her Bessie dashing off towards the meadows, and the priest running after her, his long skirts flying, as his voice carrying on the wind called Elizabeth Meredith to her studies. They didn’t need her, any of them. She sighed, and turned her face back towards the border, and Claven’s Carn. She was surely needed there.
Lord Cambridge departed Friarsgate shortly afterwards with his two charges and Philippa’s servant, Lucy. Once at Otterly Court the preparations had begun for Philippa’s return to court, and Banon’s first visit. True to his word Lord Cambridge had both the manor seamstress and a tailor from Carlisle working frantically to outfit them all. Even Lucy was to have two new gowns, and they were the first made, being the simplest. Lucy helped work on them herself, delighted. And there was material for her to have new caps as well, and aprons of fine lawn.
“I must have several short coats with pleated backs,” Thomas Bolton said to his tailor. “My legs are still quite handsome, even considering my age. And the sleeves must be fur-lined, or padded. The royal palaces are never as well heated as they might be, I fear, dear Master Tailor.”
“Your codpieces must be decorated, uncle. It is all the fashion now,” Philippa advised him.
“No! Well, why not, dear girl? A man’s assets must surely be as well displayed as a lady‘s, n’est-ce pas?” And he chuckled.
“What is a codpiece?” Banon asked.
“ ’Tis a flaplike appendage at the front of a man’s breeches,” Philippa explained. Here in the country men did not wear such things, their garments being more utilitarian.
“But does that draw attention to ...” Banon stopped, blushing.
“Of course! That is the whole idea. The bigger the codpiece the larger the manhood, or so it is believed,” Philippa answered. “After all, women display their breasts, sister. But to leave a manhood dangling in plain view would be rude, and so the codpiece is now an important piece of fashion.”
