Page 33 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

Chapter 11

“Lionel, would you like another red herring?” asked Rachael, leaning over and peering into the basket of food that included vegetables, fruit and smoked and salted fish. “I brought mustard to put on it to disguise the taste.”

Lionel groaned. “No fish for me, thank you.”

“But you have to eat something,” she protested. “If you eat some fish, I’ll give you a spiceberry or some crystalized ginger afterwards. I even brought figs since I know you like them. And your favorite, almond butter.” Almond butter was made from crushed almonds bound together with sugar and rosewater, being a special treat.

Two weeks had passed since her little ploy with the Lords Guildersleeve, and Rachael had been trying her best to keep the peace around the castle.

Lionel had admitted that he’d made a mistake in wanting to betroth Winifred and that he was going to wait at least another year until she was a little older. So the action that Rachael thought would anger Lionel, actually made him pleased instead. Not to mention, Winifred was happy that she didn’t have to marry the vile, old man after all.

Rachael had her hands full trying to keep Winifred from sneaking down to the docks to see Gilly. However, with Lionel paying more attention to the girl now and Rachael devising things to keep her busy, she seemed to almost forget about the boy after awhile. Rachael liked the rapport between her son and Lionel as well. Her husband had taken a liking to the boy and was teaching Drew how to use a sword. It was something he needed to learn, but a skill that Rachael could never have taught him.

Winifred and Drew were almost inseparable now. Last week when one of the older boys in the village bullied Drew, Winifred belted him with such a hard punch that it knocked out his tooth and scared any of them from teasing Drew again. She’d proclaimed herself Drew’s new guardian until her father could teach him how to defend himself.

Agnes told Rachael to let the boy spend more time with his new father, and that she should stop worrying that Drew might get hurt. It wasn’t easy, but Rachael had been biting her tongue. And because of it, the boy seemed so much happier. With everyone getting along, they were starting to seem like a real family.

Family was important to Rachael, and that was one of the reasons she had been arranging outings that included Lionel’s family as well as Agnes and Drew. They were on a picnic today, and even two of Lionel’s dogs came along. Everyone was cheerful and that made her happy.

“Ugh, no more fish,” grumbled Lionel, falling back on the grass with his arm draped over his face and his eyes closed. The sun shone brightly, warming the ground and air. “I am so sick of seafood that I don’t even want to smell salt water or I’m going to scream.”

Drew picked up a herring, smiling at Rachael. He’d been turning into a little trickster lately since he’d been hanging out with his new sister. However, he had been managing to make Lionel laugh and that was something not many could do. Lionel hadn’t lost his temper once in the past few weeks now. The bond between them all was getting stronger.

Even though Lionel had started paying more attention to both Winifred and Drew, Rachael could tell something still bothered him deeply. His mind had been preoccupied. He worried that the Guildersleeves would attack, and so he’d replaced their missing shipment with wine of his own. Lately, everyone in the castle had been drinking more ale and mead to make up for the loss. Things weren’t going well on the docks. Oftentimes, Lionel spent all day down there, coming home tired and drained at night, only to mull over the ledgers again and again, trying to figure out the answers.

Drew walked over with the herring and waved the fish over Lionel’s nose. The little boy held a finger to his lips to tell the others to be quiet. Then, when Lionel started sniffing the air and making a sour face, Drew burst out laughing.

“You!” shouted Lionel, whipping his arm away and opening his eyes. At the same time, the herring fell from Drew’s fingers into Lionel’s open mouth. Lionel sputtered and spit it out and wrinkled his nose, wiping at his face, making them all laugh. One of his dogs ran up and gobbled down the fish. Then the dogs ran around them in circles, barking and jumping.

“All right, you little weasel, it’s your turn now.” Lionel plucked another herring out of the basket with two fingers, getting to his feet. He grinned deviously and started walking toward the boy in a creeping motion.

“Nay! Fred, help me,” cried Drew as Lionel reached out and scooped up the boy under one arm, pretending he was going to shove the herring into Drew’s mouth.

“I’ll help you, Drew. Hold on, I’m coming,” shouted Winifred, tackling her father with all her force, and sending them all to the ground. Winifred had been wearing a tunic and trews lately, going back to her old ways of acting much like a boy. Lionel didn’t seem to mind, after the whole Guildersleeve incident, and just let her do it.

“You two think you’re so smart, but I’m bigger than you, so don’t forget it,” said Lionel, tickling them both on the ground with the dogs jumping atop him. “Say fishbreath. Say it, or I will not stop,” said Lionel, tickling them and laughing, while trying to fend off his two dogs.

“Fi – fish –” Drew tried to say it but was laughing too hard to speak. Winifred was now under one of the dogs trying to push it off of her as it licked her face.

“It’s so good to see them playing and laughing, Lady Rachael,” said Lady Aldith, sitting on the grass and wiping a tear of joy from her eye. “I have never seen my son or Winifred look so happy. It is you who brought that happiness to my family, my dear. Thank you.”

“Me?” asked Rachael, with her hand to her chest. She looked over to see Agnes smiling at her and Lily nodding in agreement. Lionel’s sister was very pregnant now, and her baby was due on Easter. Still, being bored sitting back at the castle, Lily had decided to join them on their outing. She was feeling lonely and anxious lately and it did her good to be around others. Lily sat atop the blanket on the ground like the rest of them, but Rachael knew she would never be able to get back up without someone helping her.

“Yes, you, Lady Rachael,” said Lionel’s mother. “I must admit, I didn’t think this marriage would work between you and my son, but you have certainly proved me wrong.”

“Oooh,” said Lillian. “I – I think it’s time.”

The sky darkened and thunder was heard in the distance. A storm threatened them, moving in quickly on the strengthening wind.

“Yes, I think it’s time we get back to the castle,” agreed Rachael, pushing the leftovers back into the basket. “If we don’t move fast, we’re all going to get wet.”

Lionel continued to roughhouse with the children and the dogs still ran in circles, barking, making so much noise it was hard to hear a thing.

“Aaaaaaah,” groaned Lily. “Mother, I think I’m going to have the baby.”

“What?” Lady Aldith shot to her feet. “Nay, you’ve still got another two weeks yet. It’s too early.”

“Tell the baby that,” said Lily rubbing her belly. “It’s coming. I can feel it. Oooooow. Something is happening.”