Page 56 of The Lovers (Echoes from the Past #1)
FORTY-ONE
When James returned an hour later, he was accompanied by a young girl, who curtsied to Elise as if she were the queen, nearly dropping the basket she carried.
Lizzie was thin and willowy, with abundant brown hair and large dark eyes.
She unpacked the supplies she brought and went to work immediately, and within the hour the small house was filled with the smells of cooking.
Once Lizzie got the stew going, she deftly kneaded some dough and made it into four loaves, which she placed in an opening on the side of the hearth to bake while the stew bubbled over the open flame.
Elise’s mouth watered with hunger, but she’d have to be patient.
Instead, she asked James to bring some water from the well and she washed hastily and put on a fresh gown.
The one from that morning was still damp.
Peg arranged it on the bench, which she pulled up to the hearth so that the gown could dry.
“That smells wonderful, Lizzie,” Elise said as she inhaled the rich fragrance of cooking meat.
“Thank ye, me lady. Me da caught the rabbits just this mornin’ and me ma skinned them quick-like once she found out ye’d arrived.
” Lizzie suddenly looked worried, realizing that she’d just unwittingly admitted that her father helped himself to the master’s game.
Some might see that as poaching, but Elise saw it as nothing more than good sense.
“Well, how clever of them,” she said, smiling at the girl. “Do you have a big family?” Elise asked. She liked this sprite of a girl .
“I have three younger brothers, me lady. Two of them is twins, but they look nothin’ alike. And me mam is breedin’ again. I do hope ’tis a girl this time. I want a sister, I do. Brothers are useless,” she added with a pout.
“You might change your mind once they’re older,” James said with a grin. “They’ll look after you.”
“Hmm,” Lizzie said, her tone dubious. “More like I’ll be lookin’ after them.”
Elise thought there was some truth to that but didn’t comment. Perhaps Lizzie would be wed at a young age and have her own family to take care of, leaving her younger brothers to fend for themselves until they found brides.
“I’ll have to take care of Joe for sure,” she continued, warming up to her theme. “He’s mute. Soft in the head too,” she added, tapping herself on the temple.
“That must be hard on your parents,” Elise said, wondering if Barbara heard what Lizzie just said, but her expression remained impassive as she continued to focus on her needlework.
“Neh. He don’t do much, but he’s strong, so Da puts him to work chopping wood and helping Ma round the house. He’s harmless.”
Lizzie pulled the pot out of the hearth and stirred the contents, releasing fragrant steam into the room. “This could use another hour or so, but I know ye’re hungry, and the meat is cooked through. Shall I serve it now?” she asked.
“Please do. I’m famished. It’s time to eat, Barbara,” she said. Barbara obediently set aside her embroidery and took a seat at the table. Elise sat down next to her and accepted a bowl of stew. James sliced the bread, and Peg poured out some ale .
“Won’t you join us, Lizzie?” Elise asked. “There’s plenty for everyone.”
“Thank ye, yer ladyship, but I must be away,” Lizzie replied shyly. “If you’ll leave the dishes, I’ll do them first thing tomorrow mornin’ for ye when I bring breakfast.” She executed another curtsey and left, taking the empty basket with her.
The stew was delicious, and Elise ate her fill before declaring herself ready for bed.
Peg helped her undress and brushed out her hair while James saw to the dirty dishes and covered the remaining bread so that it wouldn’t grow stale overnight.
There was no need for a fire since the night was warm, so Elise said good night and closed her door.
Barbara was already in her bed, snoring lightly behind the curtains.
Elise longed to talk to James, but nothing other than pleasantries had been exchanged between them thus far, and Peg was constantly about, making it difficult to find a moment of privacy.
Elise wasn’t concerned about Barbara overhearing them, but Peg was a different matter.
Elise drifted off to sleep only to be woken what seemed like a few moments later by the opening of her door.
She peered into the darkness, trying to make out who it was.
She thought it might be Barbara but discovered James standing by the foot of the bed.
He looked uncertain for a moment, then came around and climbed in next to Elise.
This was not what she expected, but she shifted her body to make room for him.
James didn’t say anything, just cupped her cheek, stroking her face with his thumb tenderly.
Elise opened her mouth to ask him what he thought he was doing when his lips came down on hers and he kissed her gently.
This wasn’t a passionate kiss, brought on by desire; this kiss was tender and full of feeling.
She knew that she should push him away and ask him to leave, no good could come of this, but something at her core seemed to melt.
It had been so long since anyone touched her, especially with love.
James’s hand slid downward and rested on the swell of her belly.
He didn’t say anything, but she knew the gesture for what it was.
He was claiming ownership and making a connection with his child.
He’d never touched her this way before, had never gazed into her eyes like this, fearing too great an intimacy.
But now he was looking at her, and she was looking back.
Elise reached out and stroked his face. His jaw was covered with three-day stubble, and his cheeks seemed leaner than before, as if he hadn’t been eating well of late.
He sighed quietly when she ran her hand over his well-muscled chest. Elise felt James’s heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
His heart seemed to be pounding, or was that hers?
Elise expected James to say something, but he suddenly got out of bed, kissed her on the forehead, and vanished into the other room, leaving her completely bemused.
Elise gazed after him for a long moment, unsure if he might be coming back, then closed her eyes and willed herself to go to sleep.
It had been a long day, and they’d have plenty of time to talk later.