A Bed of Spices by Samuel Barbara

Author:Samuel, Barbara [Samuel, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Romance / General, FICTION / Romance / Historical
Publisher: Amazon.com
Published: 2010-08-23T06:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Rica watched her father fall. "Papa!" she screamed, and ran to his side. His face was mottled, his lips bluish. Urgently she opened his jupon around the throat and loosened the laces below. He breathed in labored gasps, his eyes open as if to hang on to his life.

After a moment, his pain seemed to ease, but the bluish look of his lips did not. She had seen a man die in just such a way only last year after dancing with a wild young girl in the great hall. "Papa!" she said fiercely. "Be still. I'll run for Helga!"

He made a noise.

She jumped to her feet. "Etta, sit with him—no, Rudolf, you stay. Wash his face with cool water. Etta, go you to the kitchens and mix the tisane—exactly as I showed you. Come quickly back and give it to him."

They stared at her dully. "Do what I say!" she shouted.

They moved. Rica raced through the passages to the stables and found her horse. She'd never ridden without her saddle, but there was no time to do it now. Making do with a blanket tossed over the palfrey's back, she struggled astride with the help of a low gate, then urged the horse into a run.

The priest was in Helga's yard, scattering holy water and blessings over the broad plots of herbs. "Helga!" Rica cried. "It is my father! You must come quickly."

Helga whirled instantly, lifting her skirts to dash into the cottage. In a trice, she was back, her basket in hand. "Help me," she ordered the priest harshly.

He struggled to help her mount. With a whoosh of breath, Helga was astride, and Rica urged the horse into a run once more. It was less than a mile each way, but the horse was unused to such weight, and refused to run. Grunting with frustration, Rica settled for a canter.

"Tell me all," Helga said over her shoulder.

"He collapsed, holding to his arm as if in great pain. His lips were blue." She fought tears and nudged her horse with her heels.

"What did you do?"

"I loosened his clothes, then sent Etta to get his tea. Rudolf stayed with him."

"Good child, good." Helga squeezed her arm. "Was he still in pain when you left him?"

"No. He seemed better, but his color was poor ... that terrible blue."

A guard saw them coming from the walk and called orders for the gate to be opened. They rode through to the bailey. "How is he?" Rica said to the vassal waiting to take her horse.

"I know not, lady."

Rica gave Helga a terrified look. On the way up, she said, "Solomon told me it is his heart."

Helga nodded.

"He seemed better!" Rica said.

"Aye, that he did." Helga grunted as they made the long climb to the solar, winding around and around on the stone steps. Breathing hard, she asked, "Was there some news this morning to upset him?"

Rica swallowed, thought to answer, then could not. "I will explain all later," she said.

Until they entered the

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