Page 103 of Historical Hotties
“Carry her, my lord,” Father Lazarus said, apparently agreeing with the duke. “You must bring her.”
Cassius wasn’t sure he wanted Dacia jostled about or even moved from the bed so soon after she had awakened from two days of unconsciousness. “She has only now become alert,” he pointed out. “I do not want to tax her. Surely she must stay in bed.”
He turned his attention to the physic, who was still standing by the door. The man didn’t seem any too excited about the directives given by the duke and Father Lazarus, but he reluctantly nodded his head.
“For a short time, it will be all right,” he said without any great sense of approval. “Bundle her in a coverlet and pick her up. They want her to see something.”
Cassius stood up, frowning. “This isnota good idea,” he said. “What does she need to see that is so important?”
The duke was still waving his hands, only now, he was moving back to the door. “Pick her up, Cassius,” he commanded. “Bring her!”
The orders of the Duke of Doncaster weren’t meant to be disobeyed, but Cassius would have done it had the physic not given his hesitant approval. He looked at Dacia.
“I do not know what is happening, but they seem to think it is important,” he said. “Do you feel up to it if I carry you? If you do not, I will refuse your grandfather and lock him out of this chamber.”
Dacia laughed softly. “He would be very angry.”
“I do not care.”
“You are my Lord Protector, too,” she murmured. “Ever my champion, Cass, and I love you for it.”
He smiled faintly. “And I love you,” he whispered. “I told you enough while you were sleeping. Didn’t you hear me?”
She grinned. “Even if I had, I would tell you that I hadn’t,” she said. “I want to hear it every day for the rest of my life.”
“You will, I swear it.”
She shifted a little in the bed. “Then help me up and do as Grandfather has asked,” she said. “Old Cuffy is desperate for me to see something important.”
Cassius laughed softly at the mention of the duke’s nickname, but he carefully pulled her into a sitting position as the physic rushed to help. Dacia was feeling quite weak and a little dizzy, so she sat for a moment to settle her head before the physic put a soft blanket around her and Cassius lifted her into his arms. He cradled her against his broad chest, following Father Lazarus and the physic from the chamber.
The duke was down in the entry of the keep, standing with Fulco. Cassius noticed that Rhori and Bose were standing in the open doorway. They were all looking at something outside of the open entry door. The duke simply motioned Cassius forward, to the door, and once he saw what was outside in the bailey, he came to a halt.
There were people, everywhere.
It looked as if the entire village of Doncaster was crowded into the bailey, all of them looking at the keep entry as Cassius stood there with Dacia in his arms. She saw the people, too,and her head came up from his shoulder, greatly confused as to why the full population of Doncaster should be in the bailey of Edenthorpe, and more besides. The gatehouse was open and they were spilling out into the road beyond.
“Grandfather?” she said, bewildered. “Why are they all here? What has happened?”
“Youhave happened,” Father Lazarus said from her other side. When they turned to look at her, he spoke softly. “While Sir Cassius and I were sleeping away at your beside, the villagers heard about your illness and began to come to Edenthorpe. They came to say prayers for you, to bring you whatever small gifts they could manage, or they came simply to show you that you are, indeed, the Lady of Doncaster, and they are sorry for their sins against you.”
Dacia was looking at the sea of people. “But… but I do not understand,” she said. “These are the same people who listened to Amata’s lies…aren’t they?”
“Aye,” the duke said, coming to stand next to her. “But Father Lazarus has worked a miracle, evidently. He has made Amata stand in front of the church and confess her lies, and it seems that the people of Doncaster have a conscience. They realized they were wrong and have come to apologize. That is why I wanted you to come and see this, Dacia. They have been here since last night, ever since I sent word to St. George’s, holding vigil for you. Hundreds of voices in prayer, lifting to God, and he has listened. You will be well, child, I know it.”
As Dacia looked over the crowd with awe, she recognized Old Timeo as he and his wife made their way towards her. They came to the bottom of the steps of the keep, slowly taking the first few steps so they could get a little closer.
“My lady,” the old man said. “We came as soon as we heard of your sickness. We have been praying ever since. You have always been good and kind to us, when no one else would, andwe have always been grateful. I… I am sorry we ran from you in town. It was wrong and foolish. We’ve brought you a token of our gratitude for everything you’ve done for us.”
His wife set something down on the steps wrapped up in burlap. After they left it there, more people began to come forward, piling things on the stairs for Dacia, until the gifts covered the stairs and spilled down into the bailey. Everyone was smiling at her, waving at her, and a few of the children put new spring flowers on the stairs, just for her.
It was a tribute to the Lady of Doncaster, both an appreciation and an apology.
And it was astonishing.
Little by little, people began to trickle out of the bailey, having left their offering, begging forgiveness from a woman they’d sinned greatly against. Snuggled in Cassius’ strong arms, Dacia could hardly believe any of it.
“For so long, I hid myself away from these people,” she said. “I only went into town for mass and little more. I nursed the sick and hungry when I was called upon. But I did it because it was expected of me.”
