Page 19 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

“Oh, yes, you are, young lady,” he replied in a stern voice.

“Lionel,” said Rachael, getting his attention. She shook her head slightly trying to warn him that the girl was obstinate and determined not to do anything he wanted.

“Oh, wow,” said Lionel as Rachael got to her feet. “Your hair looks amazing.”

“You like it?” Rachael smiled and turned a full circle to show it off.

“I plaited part of it, and put the flowers in Mother’s hair,” said Drew proudly.

“You did what?” The look on Lionel’s face was aghast.

“It’s time to go now, Drew,” said Rachael, hurrying her son to the door. “Get in the wagon and we’ll be right down.”

“I’ll see to him, my lady.” Agnes hurried away with the boy.

“Well, I’m ready. Let’s go,” said Rachael, but Lionel didn’t move.

“Winifred, I’m waiting for you.” Lionel crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t make me come over there and get you or you’ll be sorry.”

“Husband, I’ll meet you outside in a minute,” said Rachael, motioning with her eyes to the door.

“What about her?” asked Lionel softly. His eyes glanced over to his daughter and then back again.

“I’ll handle this, now go.”

He didn’t seem confident in leaving her there with Winifred. But when Rachael nodded again to the door, he hesitantly left the room. She closed the door behind him and turned around to face Winifred.

“I’m not going to church, no matter what you say.” Winifred crossed her arms in front of her, reminding Rachael of the girl’s father.

“Have it your way,” answered Rachael in a sing-song voice. “However, if you don’t come with us to church, there’s a good chance I might happen to mention to your father that you are attracted to one of the boys who works on the docks.”

“What?” Winifred’s jaw dropped and she slowly uncrossed her arms. “How did you know? Who told you?”

Rachael didn’t know for sure, but took a gamble and, thankfully, was correct. She figured it was the reason the girl kept running to the docks and even sneaking into the tavern. She smiled inwardly, glad she’d trusted her instincts.

“It’s a mother’s job to know what her children are up to. Even if I am only your stepmother. What’s the boy’s name?”

“It’s Gilly, and I’m surprised you don’t know that, too.”

“Let’s go, Winifred. Your father is waiting.”

The girl seemed to consider the consequences, but then shook her head again. “Nay. I’m not going to church.” She plopped back down on the bed and laid flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling. “You can go ahead and tell my father about Gilly, I don’t care.”

“Really?” asked Rachael, wondering what Lionel would do if he found out. He seemed to have a bad temper and would probably string up the boy for even being near his young daughter. Rachael didn’t want to see that happen.

Unfortunately, Winifred was playing the game, too, taking the chance that Rachael was bluffing. This wasn’t going to work. Rachael decided she needed to take more drastic measures if she was going to put the fear of God into the girl. There was only one thing she could think of that might do the trick, but Lionel wouldn’t like it. She didn’t want to defy her husband, but decided it was for the girl’s own good.

“If you really like this boy, then you’d better start behaving and listening to your father. Because if you don’t, he’s going to betroth you to someone you don’t know, want, or love.”

“Betroth me? What are you saying?” Winifred’s eyes opened wide and she jerked upright to a sitting position. “Is my father going to marry me off? Tell me what you know.”

“I can’t. I have made him a promise, and I shouldn’t have even said that.” Rachael sighed and looked the other way.

“Then I’m going to run away.” Winifred jumped off the bed and dragged out a travel bag from the wardrobe. Then she opened a trunk and started to pull out clothes, throwing them into the bag.

“All right. You can do that if you want.” Rachael tried to act nonchalant, looking at her nails, and rubbing a finger over one instead of looking at the girl. “Or, you can start to gain your father’s favors instead.”

“Why would I want to do that? I hate him!”