Page 40 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

THIRTY-TWO

After leaving the chapel, Kate headed to the kitchen.

To her disappointment, Guy hadn’t been dawdling outside waiting for her.

Perhaps he’d decided to remain in bed a little longer since rain was coming down in a torrent and the sky was a threatening shade of greenish gray.

A walk was out of the question, and for Kate, it was too gloomy to sew.

She often got headaches when sewing by insufficient light, so she took advantage of sunny mornings to work on her mending and embroidery.

Joan nodded to her as she walked in, pushing a plate of sliced bread and a dish of butter toward her.

Kate poured herself a cup of ale and buttered the bread.

She was always hungry in the mornings and wished for something more substantial than bread.

At the priory, they often had boiled eggs, a breakfast that kept her satisfied until the midday meal.

“Where’s Aileen this morning?” Kate asked Joan, who was cutting up strips of meat and tossing them into a bowl.

“How should I know?” Joan snapped. “Haven’t seen her yet this morning. Perhaps her ladyship has decided to sleep in on account of the foul weather.”

Kate ignored Joan’s sarcasm. It wasn’t her place to criticize Joan’s treatment of the help, but she often felt that Joan was unnecessarily unkind to the girl. Perhaps Aileen was ill.

“Is that for the dogs?” Kate asked, jutting her chin in the direction of the bowl of bones and gristle.

“Aye, it is. Now I’ll have to take it out meself,” Joan grumbled.

“I’ll take it.”

“Ye’ll get soaked. ”

“A little rain never hurt anyone,” Kate replied.

She finished her breakfast and reached for the bowl.

She liked going to the kennel. It was a pleasant way to spend a few minutes, surrounded by the castle dogs.

They always wagged their tails and nudged her hands with their damp noses, eager to be acknowledged.

“Suit yerself,” Joan replied, clearly glad not to have to go outside in the rain.

Kate let herself out the back door and ran across the yard to the kennel.

Her hair was dripping by the time she got to the cover of the outbuilding and the hem of her gown was muddied.

The hungry dogs greeted her like an old friend and gathered around her in anticipation.

Kate divided the meat equally among their bowls and stood back as they began to gobble up the food.

She made sure they had enough water to drink, and opened the door, ready to sprint back to the kitchen.

The rain had let up a bit, and a patch of pale blue sky was just visible beneath the leaden clouds.

Kate was about to cross the yard when she noticed a stealthy movement by the stables.

Aileen slipped out the door, the hood of her cloak pulled low over her face.

Kate couldn’t see her eyes, but she saw her mouth, which was stretched into a happy grin.

Aileen ran across the yard and disappeared through the door leading to the kitchen.

She must have known she’d get a tongue-lashing from Joan, but she didn’t seem overly concerned.

Kate remained sheltered in the kennel and watched, wondering what had made Aileen so happy.

A few minutes later, Walter emerged from the stables, wearing an almost identical grin on his boyish face.

Walter began to cross the yard, so Kate left her hiding place and intercepted him midway.

“Good morrow, mistress,” Walter called out cheerfully. His clothes were grubby, but he seemed very pleased with himself.

“Good morrow. Have you had your breakfast, Walter?”

“Not just yet. Glynis foaled last night, and I was with her until the early hours. ”

“Were you alone?” Kate asked, wondering why Alf wasn’t there to help Walter deliver the foal. Strictly speaking it wasn’t part of Walter’s duties to assist with a birth. He only looked after the war horses, while Alf took care of the rest.

“Aye, all alone,” Walter lied cheerily.

“Where’s Alf?”

“His old bones need their rest, mistress, and Jed’s too young to be of any help. Not to worry, the little fellow is healthy and beautiful, and I’m famished.”

“Walter, was Aileen with you all night?” Kate demanded. Walter looked like he was about to deny the charge, but Kate gave him a severe look, warning him not to lie to her.

Walter reddened and lowered his eyes. “She was. She only wanted to help.”

“Do you two often spend time together?” Kate could understand Walter’s need for companionship, and being close in age, it made sense that he and Aileen would develop a friendship, but given what had happened to Agnes, Kate worried about Aileen.

The girl was vulnerable and shy. Any attention from Walter could easily turn her head and lead her down a dangerous path.

“From time to time,” Walter replied carefully. “I’d never do anything to hurt her,” he sputtered. “We’re friends, that’s all.”

“So what do you do together as friends?” Kate asked. She had no desire to accuse Walter of inappropriate behavior, but she seemed to be Aileen’s only champion at the castle and she wouldn’t allow the girl to be mistreated.

“We just talk.”

“Talk?”

Walter looked stricken, as if he’d suddenly realized he’d revealed an important secret. He stared at the tips of his boots and twisted the lowest button of his doublet .

“Walter, is Aileen really deaf?”

Walter nodded. “She is, but not completely, and she can read lips. It’s easier for her to pretend to be stone deaf, this way no one can punish her if she doesn’t hear something and doesn’t respond right away. She’s scared.”

“Of what?”

“Her father used to beat her about the head when he were drunk. He was a cruel man, mistress. Over time, Aileen began to lose her hearing. Had he not died, she might have lost it completely, due to the beatings. He never beat Jed as severely, but he took pleasure in punishing Aileen. She reminded him of his wife, he said, and since the poor woman was beyond his reach, he went for Aileen instead.”

Kate’s eyes filled with tears. How cruel people could be.

No wonder Aileen was frightened and reluctant to admit that she could hear something.

It was easier to pretend to be completely deaf, especially when dealing with Joan, who’d berate her all day long if she suspected Aileen could actually hear her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, Walter. Aileen’s secret is safe with me.”

“You’re a kind lady, mistress,” Walter replied. “Unlike some. And you’ve nothing to worry about,” he added, blushing furiously. “It isn’t like that with Aileen and me. We just get lonely sometimes, not being part of the family. It’s hard to be an outsider.”

“Yes, I understand,” Kate replied. She knew just how Walter felt. “You must miss your family.”

Walter nodded. “I do. I wish I could visit them sometimes.”

“Have you asked Hugh if you may?”

Walter shook his head. “I’m here to serve and learn, not enjoy myself.

Once I finish my training and become a knight, I’ll be my own master, at least in my own home.

I’m grateful to have a place, since my father died and my mother can’t afford to support me, having fallen on hard times.

I have six sisters, all under the age of twelve.

They’ll need a dowry when the time comes.

Maybe by that time, I’ll be able to provide it, at least for the younger ones. ”

Kate clapped Walter on the shoulder in a gesture of support. She’d led a peaceful and sheltered existence, never realizing how difficult life was for some. Leaving the priory had been a rude awakening, in more ways than one.

Kate walked with Walter to the kitchen door.

She heard Joan’s harsh voice as they approached, cursing Aileen for being late.

Something clattered to the floor. Kate yanked open the door and faced the older woman, who had a wooden spoon raised above Aileen’s head.

The girl was cowering, her hands above her head for protection against the impending blow.

A wooden bowl lay upturned on the stone floor, spilled milk beginning to soak into the crevices between the stones.

“Joan, Aileen was ill. Now, let her be and get about your chores.” Kate hadn’t meant to sound harsh, but Walter’s explanation of Aileen’s deafness left her trembling with fury. She’d keep an eye on Joan to make certain she didn’t strike Aileen again.

Joan’s eyes narrowed in anger, but she didn’t argue. “Aye, mistress. Whatever ye say.”