Now, Thomas understood the excitement. “I see,” he said. “Congratulations. You have done well today.”
That was all they wanted to hear. The children let him go, excited with their pence, and it reminded Thomas that he’d been intending to find a tanner before the knights from Northwooddistracted him. He intended to have seven pairs of shoes made. But that would have to wait as Maitland approached him, her lovely face glowing with delight.
“We made over eight shillings today,” she said. “Truly, I did not expect to sell everything. I was hoping to sell just a few.”
Thomas grinned at her as the children danced around them. “It is an excellent product and people will like it a great deal,” he said. “You must make sure you are here every Market Day so they can find you and buy more. But I still intend to go to all of the taverns in town and get a commitment from them to buy your cheese, so you had better plan on making a great deal.”
Maitland nodded excitedly. “We will,” she said, watching the happy children around her. “Can you believe it, Thomas? A week ago, these were sad and starving children, and now look at them.”
Thomas watched her face as she looked at the children. “You have shown them what kindness and compassion can do,” he said quietly. “Youdid this, Mae. You showed a measure of compassion to children who had known none, and now see the result. You should be very proud.”
Maitland looked at him, warmth and gratitude in her expression. “But I could not have done it without you,” she said. “Your generosity and your mother’s generosity have made this possible.”
He had the sudden urge to kiss her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she gasped. In fact, he almost forgot himself and started to reach out for her, but he caught himself in time, putting his hands behind his back in the hope that it would help his self-control.
But, God’s Bones, it was difficult.
“Anything for you,” he murmured, for her ears only.
Maitland smiled at him, a glorious smile that made his heart flutter. He could tell that she wanted to say more to himbut refrained for propriety’s sake, perhaps. Or perhaps it was because she wasn’t sure what to say in this strange, new world the day after she had thrown herself at Thomas.
It was obvious that things were different between them now.
Averting her gaze, she turned to help Tibelda, who was packing up the bowls and buckets they’d brought, putting them into a hand cart that had been found on the grounds of Edenside and repaired.
As Maitland and Tibelda loaded up, all Thomas did was stand there and stare at Maitland. He’d once questioned himself as to whether or not he’d loved her, knowing that, given time, he would. But as he watched her work, he realized that he didn’t need any more time to realize that he did, indeed, love her. There was so much there to love, from her kindness to her intelligence to her beauty. He’d fallen hard and fast for her, but he didn’t care. It brought him joy he couldn’t begin to describe. Maitland had been so worried that she was a passing fancy and, as he’d told her yesterday, she wasn’t. In fact, she would never be rid of him. He was hers for life.
All would have been perfect except for one thing…
Adelaide.
Thomas had told his father he would marry the woman and he would not break that promise. Too much was at stake and, in spite of everything, he still agreed with everything he and his father had discussed. Only now, he was coming to cling to the hope that his father would get evidence on the murders Adelaide had committed so the woman could be locked up and the marriage annulled. He knew it was a nearly impossible hope; God help him, he knew it. But he wouldn’t give up hope that, somehow, it would all work out in the end. He would marry Maitland and spend the rest of his life proud and happy with the woman he married.
He would pray for a miracle.
But until that day came, he would enjoy each and every moment with her because he knew that from this point on, their time together would be few and far between. Today was a gift from God as far as he was concerned.
He wasn’t going to waste it.
“I saw some friends of mine in town,” he said after a few moments. “Did you see the big group of knights ride in a few minutes ago?”
Maitland looked up from securing a wooden bowl in the hand cart. “I think so,” she said. “But there have been a great many groups of men moving about. The group with the red and black banner? The men you were talking to?”
He nodded. “They are from Northwood Castle,” he said. “The knight in command is my brother-in-law, married to my sister, Evelyn. He has my nephews with him, among others. He has asked if I would compete with them in the coming games and I have agreed, so it seems as if you and the children will have some great spectacles to view today. These are very skilled knights, so it should be quite a show.”
Maitland’s face lit up. “How exciting,” she said. “I know the children will be thrilled. Do you think we will have time to take our cart back to Edenside before the festivities begin? If we go to the field to watch you, we have nowhere to put it for safe keeping.”
Thomas shook his head. “Not to worry,” he said. “I shall take it over to the livery across the road and pay the man a pence to watch over it for you.”
And he did, taking it across to the livery at the end of the market street, wedging it back into a stall and paying the livery keep to watch over it. By the time he returned to Maitland, the children had been told that Thomas was to officially compete in the upcoming games and they were thrilled beyond measure. Marybelle and Nora grabbed on to his hands again, as it seemedto be their favorite thing to do with him. Thomas, Maitland, Tibelda, and all of the children headed from the market street and into the avenue of the merchants.
With the fair in full bloom, the avenue was lined with entertainers that had come in from out of town. The first thing they saw was a man who wore painted masks to frighten and thrill the children, and little Dyana and Roland burst into tears at the sight. Maitland picked up the little girl to comfort her while Thomas forced Marybelle and Nora to let his hands go so he could collect Roland. He convinced the little boy that there was nothing to be frightened of, or at least tried to, and as they came upon some dancing dogs, the boy’s tears seemed to miraculously vanish.
Eager, excited children crowded around a man who had five trained dogs. The dogs could dance on command, spun circles, climb up on a stool and beg, and a host of other tricks that had the children laughing and clapping. At least, it had six out of the seven clapping and laughing. Dyana, the youngest, was tired and yawning and weepy, and Maitland held the little girl on her hip as she rubbed her eyes and wept. Not even the dancing dogs could lighten her mood.
But then a man walked by with candied slices of apples and pears on a stick, and Dyana suddenly wasn’t quite so tired. Thomas noticed her interest but she stopped short of asking for anything; she simply looked at the treats with big eyes. Thomas saw what had her attention and he purchased seven of the sticks, each with three apple and three pear slices that had been coated in honey and cinnamon.
The children took the candied fruit sticks as if someone had handed them a hunk of gold. A treat like this was so very precious and rare. At first, they looked at it mostly, unsure what to do, until Thomas told them to eat it. The only child among them who had ever had sweets was Artus, who gobbled down theconfection. When the other children saw how much he liked the treat, they followed suit and soon they were all sticky with the honey from the fruit, eating it eagerly. The little dogs, distracted from their performance by the children eating, broke rank to lick hands until their master yelled at them. Dejected, the dogs went back to performing.
