Page 39 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“But it will be.” She sat next to Marta, grabbed the compress, placed it on her own forehead, and whispered, “It has to be.”
Chapter Twelve
Rosalind sat for only a few moments, then she flew up the back stairs, rushed to her chamber and dressed as fast as she could. She put on the best dress she had. She grabbed a clean linen chemise and over that she placed a tunic. Plain tunics were all she had. This one, however, was dyed a yellow-gold and therefore better suited for being in the presence of the king’s representative. It wasn’t much, she knew, but it would have to do.
She brushed her long brown hair and carefully fashioned a long braid that fell down her back. As much as she tried to contain her locks, several curly tendrils escaped at her temples and in front of her ears. Now dressed and her hair done, she took a deep breath and decided to look in on the girls and Grim.
They were gone! Rosalind said a quick prayer as she ran down the hall and back down the stairs to the kitchen.
Please, please, let them be in the kitchen!
But they weren’t. That could only mean that Kaylyn, Luella, and Devlin’s beast were with the king’s men. She flew out of the kitchen and rounded the corner to the great hall and took in the scene.
Luella sat in Devlin’s lap, wiping a tear from her eye. Except that she wasn’t. Rosalind knew that look and it was a ruse usually meant to get attention. Kaylyn sat in Rosalind’s chair by the fire and glared at Edward Kelley. Grim stood only a hand’s width away from the odious little man; his yellow eyes staring right into his face. His lips were peeled back, and each long incisor dripped with drool. Rosalind heard his low growl from across the room.
“Sir Devlin, I apologize for the children’s interruption. I’ll get them to the kitchen now.” She motioned for the girls to come with her, then she addressed the men. “Marta has the morningmeal ready and it will be served momentarily. Thank you for your patience.”
Devlin gave Grim the command to heel. The large dog licked his lips and then took his place on the rug close to the fire.
Once in the kitchen, she fired questions at the girls, “What happened in there? Why was Grim going to eat the king’s man? And Luella, why were you acting like you were crying?”
“I didn’t do anything, Mama Rose,” Luella explained. “That man was extremely rude. He said I was bothersome and I didn’t know my place. I was just asking him questions, and he tried to shoo me away. That’s when Grim jumped up in his face.”
“Oh dear,” Rosalind fretted. “Girls, listen and listen carefully. You are to stay away from this man, do you hear? I don’t know anything about him or his character. He’ll report back to the king about Lord Edmond, and we must respect his station. We don’t want to make him angry, and the king must think highly of him. Do you understand?”
Both girls nodded solemnly.
“So he said you were a bother, did he?”
“He did. But then I cried a little, and that got Grim upset, and I knew that Grim wouldn’t let him hurt me. Oh, and Sir Devlin didn’t like it either.”
“No, he wouldn’t, dear. He wouldn’t allow that man to hurt any of us,” Rosalind said confidently. “Now, I don’t want you to think about Mr. Kelley anymore. Marta has your breakfast here, and I’m going to eat with the grouchy man. After you two eat, help Marta with the dishes and ready the noon meal. If I’m not free when you are finished, go to the solar and work on your stitches. I will be up as soon as I can.”
The girls nodded and sat at the table. Benton and Ridley had come and retrieved the serving trays, and she followed them out to the dining hall. Marta had completely recovered from the shock of seeing Alden, naked, ready to skewer the king’s menand had outdone herself. With no planning, she had prepared a meal that was fit for the entourage dispatched from the palace.
There were poached eggs, freshly baked bread, two types of jam, sliced roast from the previous evening’s meal, dried apples, and porridge sweetened with honey. Benton served each guest and then Rosalind. Sir Devlin had gone to dress, finally, but re-entered the room as his lady engaged the king’s men in light conversation.
“I’m sure you are fatigued after your overnight travel, so I had Ridley prepare your room. I’m sure it will be warm and comfortable for you.”
Rosalind had not instructed Ridley to do anything of the sort, but she saw him dart from the corner of the room when she spoke.
“As much as I’d like to enjoy a bit of respite here in your humble home, I am here to get a report from Sir Devlin. I will hear about your uncle’s disappearance from him as soon as possible. I have no desire to stay here any longer than I need to, so I’ll not be wasting any time.” Edward Kelley spoke as he looked down his nose at Rosalind.
Devlin entered the room, and before he could sit, Edward declared in his nasal voice that Rosalind suspected resulted from traveling in the cold all night, “Sir Devlin, I will hear your report on Lord Edmond’s disappearance post haste. I will speak to you and only you in private as soon as you break your fast. I pray you have news that will satisfy our king. And because I have not seen him yet, I assume he is either still missing or dead, so I’m desperately eager to hear the results of your investigation.” The clerk then turned to Rosalind. “Lady Rosalind, do you mind leaving us? If you are finished with your meal, of course.”
Rosalind was not fooled by his civil tone. He only did so because Devlin had come to the table. This man wasn’t pleasedabout the task he was ordered to complete, and he obviously felt she was beneath him. But she wouldn’t let him rile her.
“Of course, Mr. Kelley. You and Sir Devlin have the room.” She stood, relieved and ready to exit, and gave each man a polite nod as she took her leave.
****
Once Rosalind rounded the corner to the kitchen, Kelley turned to Devlin and addressed him without preamble. “I don’t need to remind you that the king is feeling quite insecure at this time. The threat from Cromwell and the Parliamentarians grows with each passing day as their popularity grows. Edmond provided King Charles with valuable information, and he now questions the loyalty of many of those he once considered staunch allies. So tell me, man, where is Sir Edmond?”
Devlin took a deep breath. “In short, Sir Edmond lies in the barn. He is dead, and he has been for quite some time.”
Edward Kelley sat in silence for a moment. “Continue.”
“Upon our arrival, we were shocked to find that only six people live here at the manor. Lady Rosalind, a cook, Edmond’s manservant, and three children.”
