The children didn’t know that, of course, and Tibelda really didn’t, either. That was a joke known only to Maitland, and every time the goat misbehaved, she scolded “Addy”. It was wrong and she knew it, but she really didn’t care. Naming the nasty goat after Thomas’ betrothed was perhaps her own personal rebellion against a situation that was well out of her control, and had been from the moment she’d met Thomas.
It was a situation that had been over before it ever really got started.
It was midafternoon on a day that had been surprisingly mild. It was late spring, which could be stormy and cool, but this day had been calm and clear, with puffy white clouds scattering in the breeze. As Maitland crossed over to the kitchen for the bucket, she found herself looking up, thinking it was a beautiful day and reflecting on the past week at Edenside. In spite of the situation with Thomas, things were going better than she could have imagined.
There were a few things to be happy for.
The small herd of goats was being used to teach the children how to milk and make cheese, which had been part of her master plan. The animals had been a gift from the Earl of Warenton and his wife, brought from Castle Questing, which really wasn’t very far away, by stable servants and a few soldiers who herded them into the newly-built animal pen at Edenside. True to her word, Lady de Wolfe had sent for the goats and the animals had arrived along with a flock of chickens.
The beginning of Edenside’s self-sufficiency had arrived.
With the chickens housed and the goats penned, Maitland had turned her considerable skills to the seven skinny, cold, and dirty children she was in charge of. The morning after her arrival to Edenside, she and Tibelda had boiled water and filled up a big trough that had been used to water the animals of past occupants. Using the precious soap they’d brought with them, they’d washed the girls first and then the boys, washing their clothes as well and then drying everyone, and everything, before a great fire.
But the rags they wore were only temporary. The goats and chickens had arrived a short time later along with a pile of blue woolen fabric, courtesy of Lady de Wolfe. Maitland had been thrilled. Finally, something warm for the children to wear. The next day, Desmond had visited with money from Thomas, and he had escorted Maitland into Kelso where it was Market Day,and Maitland had purchased a great many things with Thomas’ money– foodstuffs, including vinegar and wine so she could start making her own vinegar, among other things.
It had been a productive trip.
Maitland and Desmond had returned to Edenside laden with goods, and the children and her brother had enjoyed a good supper that night of baked eggs and bread while Maitland soaked Lady de Wolfe’s woolen material in some of the vinegar she had purchased. It softened the material enough so that she and Tibelda were able to make seven tunics the following day, with long sleeves and high necks, going all the way to the children’s ankles to keep them nice and warm.
With bellies full and bodies clean and warm, the next order of business was to begin the children’s education. Lessons had started almost immediately and, even now, the children were doing very well with their lessons. They were learning cheese-making skills and in the evening after a day of chores, Maitland would read to them from the bible, writing letters in the dirt of the kitchen yard so they could learn them. There would be more lessons tonight on letters, and words, and as Maitland picked up the bucket she’d come for, she could hear Artus yelling.
A visitor had arrived.
Thinking it was Desmond, Maitland rushed to the animal pen and handed the bucket off to Phin, who was helping Marybelle and Nora milk the goats. As Maitland rounded the outbuilding from the kitchen yard, she fully expected to see Desmond coming through the gate.
But that was not who she saw.
It was Thomas.
Startled at his unexpected appearance, Maitland watched the man dismount his muscled war horse and look around at the small ward, which looked much different from when he last saw it. As he secured the horse and turned to walk towards thestable yard, he caught sight of Maitland standing there and he immediately lifted a hand to her in greeting.
She waved back.
In truth, Maitland wasn’t sure how she felt to see him again. The week of separation from the man had done nothing to purge him from her mind. As she watched him walk towards her, a hint of a smile on his face, it was all she could do to keep her breathing steady.
The man had the ability to make her heart leap in all directions.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him. Of course, she did. But Desmond had told her about Northumbria’s death and the imminent wedding between Thomas and Lady Adelaide, and even though she’d always known that the marriage would happen at some point, somehow, the news had crushed her. All of Thomas’ sweet words, of his vow that he would have married Maitland had he not been betrothed to Adelaide, had gone to her head.
And her heart.
She tried not to feel too badly about it.
“Good day to you, my lord,” she said as Thomas drew close. “We are honored by your visit.”
Thomas’ grin broadened, the dimple in his left cheek deep. “Good day, Lady Bowlin,” he said. “I have heard that you are doing marvelous things here and I came to see for myself.”
Maitland smiled weakly. “I am trying,” she said. “Did my brother relay my thanks for the money you sent us?”
Thomas nodded. “He did,” he said. “And you are welcome. I have brought you more because I am sure you have more needs.”
Maitland nodded. “Always, but we have come along splendidly this week. Would you like to see?”
Thomas nodded. “Very much so.”
Maitland flashed him a smile, her gaze lingering on him as she beckoned him to follow her. “Come with me.”
Thomas did, gladly. Already, it was a pleasant conversation and just seeing the woman did something to him. It was as if his heart had wings, and even now as he followed her, he felt as if he were walking on air. The escort for his parents to Castle Questing had taken less than an hour, as the fortress was only a few miles south of Wark, so on the entire ride to Edenside, which had also taken a short amount of time, he contemplated what he would say to Maitland when he saw her.
