Page 49 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“What choice do I have? She is a titled lady and heir to her father’s estate, and this one. I have nothing to offer. It’s laughable to even consider she could be my wife.”
“So, you’ve considered marrying her?” Benton interjected.
Devlin froze, and silence filled the room again.
“You’d better close your mouth, dear, lest a bug fly in,” Marta said softly into the quiet.
“I…I…” he stuttered once more but then gained his composure. He thought of telling the inquisitors he faced an outright lie but he knew they would see right through it. “It could never happen, ever. But yes, I am quite fond of Lady Rosalind, and I’ve wondered many times if a life together would work.”
Marta and Benton leaned back in their chairs and smiled at him.
“But it’s a fairy tale. The king would never allow it, and Lady Rosalind would do better to find a man who could support and provide for her as a woman of her station deserves. I am not that man.”
“I am a woman of faith, Sir Devlin,” Marta said, “and I believe that God above will work this out. Where there is faith and love, there is hope.”
Devlin appreciated Marta’s kind words, but it was all a dream to stay here, live with Rosalind and the children, and own an estate.
“I disagree,” Benton said strongly. Then, with his wrinkled and gnarled hand, he grasped the edge of the table and stood. Before he turned to leave, he said with conviction, “I think you are the perfect man for Lady Rosalind.”
Devlin sat speechless, as the ancient butler tottered from the room.
****
Rosalind entered the solar and was surprised to see Kaylyn helping Luella with her letters and Ridley hard at work reading. The children looked up and smiled as she entered, but then Luella’s little face fell when she sat at the table.
“Your cheeks look red, Mama. Do you feel sick?” the child asked.
Before she could answer, Kaylyn said, “Oh my goodness, you do. Shall I tell Marta you need something for a fever?”
Rosalind knew her face was flushed. Being in close proximity to Sir Devlin left her feeling warm all over. She had felt his gaze follow her up the stairs, and the heat rushed to her face. She wanted to run over to the shuttered window and thrust her head outside to cool herself, but the children might find that behavior odd.
The girls were very sensitive to illness, knowing they’d lost their mother to a fever, so instead, she said, “I feel just fine. Please don’t worry. I don’t have a fever. Here, feel my head and see for yourself,” she said calmly and leaned over the table.
Each child felt her forehead and was satisfied she wasn’t succumbing to illness.
“You’ve been busy, I see. Ridley, are you having trouble reading any of the words in that book? And Kaylyn, was Luella able to name all her letters?”
The children informed her of how well they had been doing, and the rest of their morning was spent reading and doing sums. Then, the girls practiced their stitches while Rosalind worked at her loom.
Ridley sat beside her on the floor and wound several lengths of yarn for her to use but looked up suddenly after the third ball and asked, “Is Lord Edmond being buried tomorrow, milady?”
“Yes, he is, Ridley. Tomorrow, there will be a brief graveside service, and he will be laid to rest next to his father in the family plot beside the chapel. When you’re done, I’d like you to ride to the village and inform Father William he is needed here tomorrow at 11:00. Can you do that?”
“Yes, milady, I can. And do you know what happened? Was he killed, or was it an accident?”
Rosalind thought for a moment, unsure of how much to tell the children. After taking a breath, she decided to tell them the truth, but an abbreviated version at that.
“Sir Devlin discovered that Lord Edmond was collaborating and helping men who seek to overthrow the king. Landing up in the bog could have been an accident, but someone didn’t want him to be found, that is for certain. Mr. Kelley believes there was some foul play involved, and that is what he’s going to tell King Charles. And also that Lord Edmond was conspiring with his enemies.”
“What do you think the king will do?”
“I’m not sure, Ridley. But I know that Sir Devlin is his loyal servant, and the king trusts him completely. He will listen to Mr. Kelley when he reports Sir Devlin’s findings. I believe he will rule fairly in this matter. And Sir Devlin is prepared to testify to what he’s found too.” Ridley listened to her, but worry etched in his young face nearly broke her heart. “But for now, you must go to the village and find the priest.”
Ridley paused for a moment and seemed to ponder the situation. Then, with a nod, he stood and left the room. Rosalind sighed, and her heart broke for Ridley. Being the oldest, he understood what could happen to all of them now that Edmond was gone. The girls, however, were not aware that their future hung in the balance. She sat frozen in fear for a second when she thought what could happen to Kaylyn and Luella, and her stomach rolled.
She closed her eyes, said a silent prayer, and willed her stomach to calm. She refused to give up and relaxed after a few deep breaths. She knew Devlin would keep his promise.
She looked up at the beautiful girls before her and forced a smile, “Come, girls, show me your work, and then I’m ready to bind off my work here. I’ll show you how.”
