“Happy Yuletide, my lady,” Hanson said as he came into the kitchen. He held up a sealed parchment. “We’ve had a letter from Frances.”
Margaret smiled. “It’s been months since we last heard from her.” She took the letter and read it quickly. “Her sister passed, and she’s married her brother-in-law.”
Hanson’s mouth twisted in a smirk. “Frances looked remarkably like her sister.”
“Did she?” Margaret looked away from the letter and raised a brow. “I suppose it’s none of our business why he married his wife’s sister.” She picked back up the letter and continued reading. “She also says she’s with child and will give birth in the spring.”
“Well, now we know why they married.” Hanson laughed, grabbing a cup and pitcher. He poured himself a drink and attempted a sip several times but could not stop chuckling long enough to take one.
Margaret groaned. “What do you mean?”
“The spring is only just three months away, and her sister recently died?” Hanson set down his cup and looked at her, surprised. “Surely, you cannot be so naïve, my lady.”
Apparently she was that naïve. Blushing, Margaret said, “Oh.”
Clearing his throat, Hanson looked away. “My lady, I was wondering if I might ask you a question?”
“Of course, Hanson.” Margaret put aside the letter and looked at him. “You don’t need to ask my permission for questions.”
“I spoke to the smith in town, and he’s looking for help.” Hanson ran his finger over the edge of the cup and fell silent. After a moment, he continued, “He asked if I would be able to help him.”
Margaret was wary after Frances left. She didn’t know if she could lose Hanson too. “How often would you be gone?”
“Only a few days a week,” he said quickly. “And I would still have plenty of time for my chores here.”
“If you think you can handle your responsibilities here as well as there, I have no objection.” He didn’t have much to do here, and if he could help someone else close by, who was she to deny them? She did all she could to help the people of Silvica; it would be hypocritical for her to tell Hanson he could not do the same.
Hanson smiled. “Thank you, my lady. The smith will be pleased to hear it.”
Margaret watched Hanson ride away through the window. Spring was starting to bloom, and with the warming weather, more work came from the smith and the people of Silvica. Hanson seemed happier than she had seen him since they had moved to the cottage three years ago.
It would only be a matter of time before Hanson asked to leave like Frances did; she could feel it. He was gone far more than he was with them. She didn’t want to dwell on that now. She went into the kitchen to start her father’s breakfast.
“Papa, once I’m done in here, I’ll come get you,” she called.
She went through her normal routine for the morning, cleaning from last night before starting the new tasks. She lit the fire in the hearth and set the pan next to it to heat. Margaret put the oats and milk in and waited for it to boil. When it was finished cooking, she mashed the fruit that would go on top.
“Papa, breakfast is ready.” Margaret picked up the bowl and turned to take it to the table. She gasped and nearly dropped the bowl. “Papa!”
Her father sat in the doorway, breathing heavily.
“Did you roll yourself in here?” Margaret hurriedly put down the bowl and went to his side. “Papa are you all right?”
He nodded wobbly. His face remained determined as he pushed himself further into the kitchen.
Margaret let out a single noise, a mix between a laugh and a sob, as her eyes started to water. Healer Frederickson would certainly have to eat his words now.
“I’ve brought you a gift, my lady,” Hanson announced as he entered the kitchen. “From myself and the smith.”
“A gift?” Margaret grew wary. It would be inappropriate to take a gift from a man she was not involved with. “I don’t know if—”
“It’s a parting gift,” Hanson said quickly, holding out a small package wrapped with cloth and ribbon, “and one of appreciation.” It wasn’t a question; it was a statement of fact. He was leaving.
Margaret’s shoulders slumped. She knew it was coming. Hanson had been watching her carefully while dropping small hints of how busy the forge was. “So you’re leaving.”
“Yes, my lady.” He set the package in front of her. “But I would still like your blessing, and I’m happy to return whenever you need something repaired.” Hanson motioned at the package in front of her. “Please, open it.”
She hesitated a moment before she pulled the ribbon free of the cloth. She gasped when she saw the contents—a broach of her family crest. Three tobacco leaves overlapped each other in a trident shape, their stems twisted together, topped with a garland of the five-pointed flower that bloomed as tobacco grew. At the center of the flowers were small round-cut emeralds. “Hanson—”
“I made it myself.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “I have learned much from the smith.”
“I can see that.” Margaret pulled the broach to her chest. “I’ll treasure it forever.”
Hanson looked at her, hopeful. “Do I have your blessing to leave, then, my lady?”
“Yes.” Margaret nodded, though her heart was heavy. “You have my blessing, and I will be coming to you soon for another one of these for Papa.”
“It would be my honor to make it, my lady.”
Margaret stood and took him to the door. “You may have the other horse—I will not need him, and Duchess will be as much as I can handle on my own.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Hanson picked up her hand and kissed it. “Be well,” he said before he left.
Margaret closed the door, leaning her forehead against it while her chest tightened. She was alone with her father now. She didn’t know what to do… That wasn’t true. She did know what to do, but she didn’t know if she could do it entirely by herself. But she would prove to herself that she could take care of the two of them. And that she wouldn’t abandon him as her mother had or rely solely on their staff to go about her day, only seeing him on rare occasions.
She let out a sigh when she heard her father snore. She would have a few hours to herself. Margaret needed to go into Silvica to visit the healers for more draughts and replenish her fresh food. It had been some time since she’d seen them, and it would be a welcome reprieve to speak to another person.