Chapter Sixteen

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Ezekiel 22:27

The next morning, Faith found Sir Theodore milling around Darrin’s door. “How is he?” he asked.

Seeing the worry in his eyes, Faith placed a gentle hand on his chest. “He fights. The fever still rages within.”

Sir Theodore raked a hand through his wild hair. “Is there naught I can do?”

“Aye. You can pray.”

He stepped back and gave a look of disbelief. “You ask again for prayer. I know not if God listens. In truth, before the other day, I do not think I have spoken to the Lord since leaving England.”

Shock coursed through her. “Not even before a battle?”

He shrugged. “I figured if God wanted to take me, then so be it. I have not much to live for.”

His story was known by many. Jilted by Lady Eleanor de Maury for another. But could such a rejection kill his desire to live? Then she thought of Darrin struggling to live. If he would die, would she care for her own life? The last ten years had been a torture not knowing where he was or if he lived or died. Yet she had hope that one day he would return. But what if he died today or on the morrow? Would she be able to survive without him?

The horrible thought pressed heavier than a sack of grain on her chest—living without Darrin day after day, month after month, year after year. She had already done so and it had been torture. She understood Sir Theodore’s actions. She took his hands in hers. “I am certain that God has a very special plan for you and for Sir Darrin. Go and pray. And when you are tired, pray some more.”

His head fell to his chest. “All right, my lady. I will. For you and for him.”

“And for yourself,” she said, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

He nodded and turned away, but not before she saw the tears in his eyes.

* * *

Nun and Faith rotated their duties for the next two days. Each morn before taking her place next to Darrin’s bed, Faith would go to the chapel and pray. Often she would find Gouch and Monique there, praying for Darrin too. Once, upon leaving, Sir Theodore stood in the doorway. Neither of them said a word, but communicated their concern with a simple nod.

On the night of the third day, Faith refused to leave Darrin’s chamber when Nun came in to give relief. “I will stay here until he wakes, for he has slept long enough.”

Nun plopped the clean linens down on the table, which had become her new habit. “Do you think your diligence will wake him?” She laughed and shook her head. “He may sleep another month.” She went over and felt Darrin’s brow, another daily habit. “He is cool. A good thing.” She turned back to Faith. “If you do not wish to sleep, mayhap you should bathe. Unless you wish to assault his senses when he does awakes.”

Faith looked down at her crushed gown. What was Nun speaking about? Each morn she changed her garments. A heavy sniff gave clear meaning—she had not bathed since the day Darrin had been injured.

“Perhaps you are right. I shall take a quick bath. But do not get too comfortable; I shall return.” Faith rushed out of Darrin’s chamber, caught a servant in the hall and called for a tub and hot water to be brought to her room as soon as possible. Once inside her chamber, she stripped out of her clothes and placed a cloak around her shoulders and waited. The efficiency of the servants surprised her when she heard a swift knock. But when she opened the door, she did not find the servants, but Sir Rollin.

Seeing her present…state, he uncomfortably cleared his throat. “My lady, I-I am sorry.” His gaze swept around the room and came to rest on the pile of clothes on the floor.

Faith clutched the top of her cloak and expected him to back into the hallway, but that was not the case. Instead he stepped closer. Immediately she retreated backwards. Not wanting to look fearful, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her head, giving him a sharp eye. “What do you want, Sir Rollin?”

“I, we, all the knights, have been concerned. No word has come to us about how Sir Darrin fares?” Those may have been his words, but his eyes bespoke of other thoughts as he came closer still.

She took another step back and bumped into a chair that went crashing to the floor. Before she could move, Sir Rollin swept farther into the room, righting the chair. “You must be careful, my lady,” he said, his voice low and sultry. He reached out and took a lock of her hair and wrapped it around his finger.

She tried to step away, but her back was met by the cold stone wall. Her throat constricted. “Remember yourself, Sir Rollin.” Her words came out like a tiny squeak from a trapped mouse.

He leaned into her. “I remember much from our past, Faith. Surely, you remember how close we were?” he whispered in her ear.

“I remember I am a married woman and you have overstepped your boundary.” She slammed her bare foot on top of his boots.

He laughed and pushed in even closer. “Lady, there is naught you can do to me that could cause me harm.” A loud ruckus from the hallway drew his attention and he immediately stepped away.

“Blossom!” Sir Theodore called from the doorway, a bucket of hot water in hand. A gaggle of servants followed him into the small chamber, carrying an iron tub and more hot water. To make room, Sir Theodore inched over to stand in front of Sir Rollin. A large amount of hot water sloshed onto the knight’s clothing. “Oh, sorry, Blossom. I guess you get another bath today,” Sir Theodore guffawed. “What’s that make, five or six? Pretty soon you will be like those shriveled dates from the Holy Land.”

Sir Rollin’s lips thinned as he wiped a hand on his wet tunic. “At least I do not stink as you.”

“Hey? I took a bath two days ago and changed my tunic too. But if you think I need another bath, so be it.” With his free arm, Sir Theodore grabbed Sir Rollin around the shoulder and dumped the remaining water from the bucket on both their heads.

Sir Rollin gasped, wiped his face with both his hands and stepped away. “You’re mad,” he shouted.

“Aye.” Sir Theodore grinned, crazy-eyed.

Even Faith could not hold back her laughter. Pretty soon the servants chuckled as they filled the tub with the remaining tepid water. With a huff, Sir Rollin exited the room. The servants followed after him with their empty buckets, laughing and jeering.

When they were alone, Sir Theodore became instantly serious. “My lady, you must learn to be prudent while Darrin is ill. Some may try to take advantage of you. I shall have a guard posted outside your door.”

She clutched the cloak around her even more so. “I had not thought that would be necessary, but I guess I was wrong.” Her thoughts immediately drifted to the village skirmish. “Have you been able to uncover what happened in the village…who started the trouble?”

His eyes became hooded. “Nay, my lady, but… I shall not rest until all is solved.”

Even though she knew he held something back, she did not press him. The time would come when Darrin would be strong again. “Thank you, Sir Theodore.”

He bowed and made his way to the door.

Then her mind took a switch. “One more thing. The trunk…”

He turned. “Aye?”

“Where is it?”

“In the hut. With all that has happened, I thought it would be best to leave it there.”

“Could you bring it to Darrin’s chamber? I would have it there for him when he awakes.”

A slight smile set on his lips. “Aye, my lady. I shall fetch it now if thieves have not taken it already.”

Faith’s heart lurched. “You do not think—”

“Nay. No one has been there in years and none would think anything of value would remain within. I am sure the chest is safe.”

She nodded. He bowed and made his way to the door.

“Sir Theodore, one more thing. Since your hair and beard are wet, perhaps you might want to clean them up a bit.”

He tilted his head. “If it pleases you, then I shall.” He tipped his head and left, closing the door behind him.

Had she known it would have been so simple, she would have asked him to do so the first night they met. Sir Theodore was indeed an odd mystery.

* * *

Though the water was warm and comforting, after a short time, Faith exited the bath and smoothed her fingers through her wet, tangled hair. She dried her body, put on a clean, pale blue gown and wrapped a silver-threaded girdle around her waist. She plaited her hair but left it plain; after all, she had no plans of going into the great hall or anywhere in the château other than Darrin’s chamber. She’d watch and wait for Darrin to awake from his deep sleep.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful if today was the day? Nun said he was getting stronger. Faith rubbed her hands over her gown. Oh, she hoped there was some way to close the gap between them. A streak of sunlight filtered in through the narrow window and danced off the wall behind her. Certainly, the birds chipped loudly in the trees because of the cheery day. Soon there would be more flowers in the meadow. This would be a fine day for Darrin to wake. Like this new spring day, she would try to start anew with him. She would be a loving wife. Together they could conquer the past, and maybe, just maybe, they could learn to love again.

“My lady, my lady.” Her soft musings were interrupted by a servant at her chamber door. “Come quick. Sir Darrin is awake!”