“I will take my leave of you now,” Camden said. He tilted his head toward me, released my hand, and turned to walk out of the room. He paused briefly at the table just inside the door where my mother’s bowl sat on display. I had not yet decided what should be put inside of it.
“Where did you get this bowl?” he asked.
“It was given to me when I was young,” I said quietly, for he still made me quite nervous. “It was my mother’s. At least, that’s what the nuns said.”
“You are from Eagle?”
“Yes, sire.”
“What were the names of your parents?”
“Conway and Rebecca Fay, sire,” I told him. “That’s what the nuns told me, at least—I don’t really remember. So many people were dying then.”
King Camden’s fingers ran along the edge of th
e bowl.
“I remember being served the most interesting stew from this very bowl,” he said softly. I strained my ears. Had I heard him right? “She said it was one of the first ones she had made and had always been her favorite, so she would never sell it. The stew she served was a strange concoction of flavors and not exactly tasteful.”
Camden laughed softly.
“But the bowls—they were beautiful.” He nodded his head twice and then held the bowl out for me to take. “Rebecca Fay offered me a meal from this same bowl, Alexandra—I am sure of it. She must have been nearly ready to give birth to you, but she kept working because her bowls were in such high demand.”
He smiled gently at me, which was not an expression I had seen on his face before.
“Her cooking left something to be desired”—King Camden laughed, but not unkindly—“but she was extremely generous and kind. I didn’t speak to Conway for long. He returned from working in the fields just as I was leaving, but he seemed a well-mannered and gentle soul.”
He turned to look me over, his expression thoughtful.
“You must have been quite young when so many in the village fell to plague. Perhaps it was not by accident but by divine design. By the grace of God, perhaps you were spared to come to Branford when he needed one such as you by his side.”
He nodded again, then turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind him. I sat in the chair near the fire and contemplated his words. Did he truly believe I was here for such a purpose? To save the people of Silverhelm from their future king’s wrath? Had I not had similar thoughts myself?
I found myself smiling, thinking that if this were my role, at least I had some inkling as to what my duties would entail. Picking up the kettle, I filled it with clear water and placed it over the fire. When Branford came back from his discussion with his guard, it would be ready for him.
I would be ready for him.
Janet followed me back to our rooms after the evening meal and helped me remove my dress and put on the nightdress Branford favored—the one with the laces in the front, which never stayed tied for long. I blushed at the thought and then dismissed Janet to her room for the night. I reheated the kettle and took a seat in the chair near the fire.
A while later, I went to sit on the edge of the bed since it was a bit more comfortable.
As the sun set and the evening breeze cooled, I lay back on the pillows.
An hour later, I climbed under the blankets to ward off the chill night air.
Branford did not return before I fell asleep. Alone.
*****
The next morning, Branford slept at my side though I had not heard him come in during the night. I rose quietly, unsure how long he had even been asleep. I dressed, made his tea, and then watched the water cool. Finally deciding he was not going to wake any time soon and also not wishing to disturb him, I went to the kitchens to find breakfast. Janet was there, smiling her good morning and offering me some tea. I took the steaming cup from her, and we spoke of the morning’s itinerary.
Branford did not wake until nearly midday. When he did, he was groggy, distant, and short-tempered. He seemed pleased when I offered to bring him his meal to our rooms, but when Janet helped me carry some of it to him, he snapped at her almost immediately.
“You are supposed to be my wife’s handmaid,” he yelled at her. “It does not mean you spend all your time in our rooms! You may come in here to dress her and possibly to undress her if I am otherwise occupied and unable to do it myself!”
Janet cringed at his harsh words, and when I tried to speak to him, he snapped at me as well.
“I am not discussing this with you, Alexandra!” he yelled. “Get her out of here, or I’ll remove her permanently!”