Page 49 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)
FORTY-ONE
Kate spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Hugh.
She simply couldn’t bear to look at him after what had happened that morning without her feelings showing plainly on her face.
The acute hurt would eventually become a dull ache, this episode becoming just another entry in her list of painful experiences.
Hugh’s name would be right beneath that of her father.
They were two men who should have protected her, but instead they coddled their pride and used their manhood to dominate the weak.
Kate sighed and retreated to the Lady Chamber. Hugh rarely came in there, preferring to spend his day in more active pursuits.
“It was wonderful last night, wasn’t it?” Eleanor asked. She was standing by the window, watching Adam build a snow maiden with Jed’s help. The boys’ laughter drifted from below, making Kate feel even more isolated in her misery.
“Yes, it was,” she replied as she sat down and rummaged in her work basket for the next garment to be mended. It seemed that for every item she worked on, another two showed up the next day.
“You know what I liked best?” Eleanor asked, her tone dreamy.
“The minstrels. Oh, I do enjoy the music. Will used to play the lute when we were first married. He used to write songs dedicated to my beauty,” she added with a wistful sigh.
“And he hired minstrels to play for us once a year at the New Year. The earl always invited everyone for a Christmas celebration, but Will liked to have a celebration of our own. Those moments are the ones I miss the most. They were so pure and joyous.”
“My father used to bring in minstrels as well,” Kate replied, thankful to talk of something neutral. “My mother loved to hear them play, and she allowed all the servants to take part in the celebration. She said that everyone was entitled to enjoy the beauty of the music. ”
“Sounds like she was a gracious lady. I don’t even remember my mother.
She died when I was a child.” Eleanor tore her gaze away from the window and took her seat by the hearth, rubbing her arms to warm herself.
“I hope Adam doesn’t catch a chill out there.
Hugh says I should stop coddling him, but I worry so. ”
“The cold won’t hurt him, Eleanor. It’ll only make him stronger. Hugh and Guy just spent a month living outside and they’re no worse for it.”
“Except maybe in temper,” Eleanor replied, smiling. “Hugh was a right old bear until he bathed and had a proper meal.”
“Yes, that he was,” Kate agreed.
Eleanor was just about to say something when Joan appeared at the door, her round face creased with worry and her hands clasped nervously in front of her bosom.
“What is it, Nurse?” Eleanor asked. “Is something amiss?”
“Yes, me lady. It’s Aileen. She’s gone missing.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“I haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
“Perhaps she’s still abed,” Eleanor suggested.
Joan shook her head. “No, I checked. Jed said she still hadn’t come to bed by the time he fell asleep last night, and her bed hasn’t been slept in since.”
“Was she upset about something?” Kate asked. This wasn’t like Aileen. She returned to her quarters as soon as Joan dismissed her for the day, eager for rest and time to herself.
“She’s been acting a bit odd these past few weeks, but that’s nothing unusual for Aileen.
She’s such a moody thing; one minute she’s smiling to herself like she’s got a precious secret, and the next she’s down in the mouth, sulking in the corner.
She did seem quieter than normal yesterday.
I thought she was just tired from lugging all that water and doing the extra laundry. ”
“Have you told Hugh Aileen is missing?” Kate asked.
Joan shook her head. “I had no wish to get the girl in trouble, but now I’m worried. I’ve looked for her everywhere.”
“We’d best tell Hugh and Guy,” Eleanor said, rising from her seat. “They’ll know what to do.”
Hugh staggered down the stairs, looking the worse for wear after last night’s festivities, but he instantly took charge, too petty to allow Guy to take the lead.
“Joan, search the storerooms thoroughly. Maybe Aileen’s hiding down there for whatever reason.
Kate and Eleanor, check every room in the castle.
I’ll have Alf and Walter search all the outbuildings.
Guy, go up on the roof. If she left the castle and is still within sighting distance, you’ll see her.
Maybe she got hurt and couldn’t make it back. ”
“Aileen never leaves the castle on her own,” Joan protested.
“There’s always a first time,” Hugh snapped. “I’ll go speak to Jed. Maybe he can shed some light.”
“I’ve spoken to him already. Don’t frighten him, Hugh. He’s just a boy,” Joan warned. “I don’t want him thinking something’s befallen his sister without any actual evidence to the fact.”
Hugh glared at Joan. “Why would I frighten him? I just want to speak to him. Get on with it, old woman, and stop wasting time.”
Joan bristled at Hugh’s tone but turned around and went on her way, heading down to the ground floor and the storerooms.
Eleanor turned to Kate. “I’ll check the rooms on this floor. ”
“All right. I’ll search all the bedchambers.” Kate walked up the narrow spiral staircase, followed by Guy, who was heading to the roof. “Do you think she’s all right?”
Guy shrugged. “I can’t see why she wouldn’t be. That girl is like a frightened rabbit. The furthest she ever goes is to church, and only when accompanied by Joan and Jed. I think we’ll find her sleeping somewhere,” he added with a smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her.”
“Of course we will,” Kate replied. “I just can’t imagine where she might have gotten to.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
Kate left Guy at the landing and turned toward Marie de Rosel’s bedchamber. She couldn’t imagine that Aileen would go in there, but she had to check.