Page 32 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

“Aye, Mother,” said Winifred, surprising Lionel to hear his daughter call Rachael, Mother. He wasn’t sure what was going on here. He felt very confused.

“Lords Guildersleeve, I beg you to reconsider and I’d like to withdraw my original offer of betrothing my daughter, Winifred, to you. I’m sorry, but I just can’t do it.” Lionel prepared himself for an argument or even a fight, but he no longer cared. He wouldn’t give his little girl to men like this. He would fight to protect her, because he was not letting her marry a man who spoke so disrespectfully and spit phlegm at his feet. Plus, Winifred was young enough to be the man’s daughter.

Lionel’s hand wavered over the hilt of his sword, but instead of the men protesting or wanting to fight, both of their mouths dropped open and they stared over his shoulder.

“Is that . . . is that her?” asked Humphrey, pointing at Winifred standing behind Lionel. Lionel didn’t take his eyes off the men since he didn’t trust them.

“Aye,” he answered.

“Hello, I’m Fred,” said Winifred, making both the men blink and back away.

“Stableboy, bring the horses, we’re leaving,” shouted Lord John.

“I’ll not marry the likes of her,” grunted Humphrey, turning and running for his horse.

“You’d better find our shipment of wine, Hatchet, or I swear there will be a battle between us,” called out Lord John, turning his horse to leave.

“What about the betrothal?” asked Lionel, just wanting to make sure they’d really changed their minds, because this made no sense to him at all that they were leaving.

“The betrothal is off. There is no agreement,” shouted Humphrey as the two men rode out of the courtyard as if the devil were on their heels.

“Well, how do you like that?” asked Lionel, chuckling, pleased with the outcome, even if he didn’t understand it. “I wonder why they changed their minds about marrying such a beautiful young woman?”

He turned around to talk to Rachael and Winifred, gasping and jerking backwards in shock.

“Hi, Father,” said Winifred, smiling, showing several missing teeth. Her hair was cut short – up to her ears, and her skin was red and bumpy. She was dressed like a boy in trews and a dirty, torn tunic, looking more like a beggar since she also had bare feet. And smeared across her face was a streak of mud.

“What the hell!” he spat.

Then Winifred, Rachael, and Drew all started laughing.

“Wh – what’s going on here?” asked Lionel. “And what the hell did you do to your hair and teeth?”

“Father, I cut my hair but it will grow back,” said Winifred. “It’s easier to take care of now, anyway.”

“Her teeth are still there. Don’t worry,” said Rachael. “Go on, and show him,” she said to Winifred.

“It’s just ash,” said Winifred, wiping off her teeth with her finger to show him they were still there and that they were white underneath the black. “Plus, the rash is just ground up berries with a little dirt mixed in,” said Winifred proudly. “Just like Rachael’s rash.”

“What’s this all about?” asked Lionel, not sure if he should yell or laugh. It was funny the way the two Lords Guildersleeve hightailed it out of his courtyard like they were being chased by the hounds of hell. Still, it was a very dangerous game to play. “Winifred, how could you do such a thing?”

“What’s going on?” asked Lionel’s mother, rushing over with Lily. “Oh, my!” gasped the older woman. Lily just started laughing.

“It was all my idea,” said Rachael, “so please don’t be upset with Fred. She didn’t want to marry that despicable man, and I couldn’t blame her. She’s only fourteen and he is at least thirty, with six children and –”

Lionel cut her off by pulling her into his arms and kissing her hard. Then he pulled back and looked her in the eyes. “Don’t think I agree with any of this. And don’t think I approve of you going behind my back to do this.”

“I’m sorry,” Rachael apologized. “I was just doing it for the good of the girl.”

“You do realize that if it didn’t work, Winifred could be riding out of here with those two ogres right now,” said Lionel. “Now, don’t ever do anything like that again.” He kissed her once more, so thankful even though he was furious at the game they’d played.

“Lionel? I’m confused,” said Rachael, looking up at him with those innocent, bright blue eyes. “Are you angry with me . . . or happy?”

“If you have to ask, I’m not going to tell you, my sweet little lamb.” He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders, leading the way back to the great hall.