Love Letters by Murdoch Emily

Author:Murdoch, Emily [Murdoch, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2014-11-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The week that followed contained many meetings between Catheryn and Selwyn, and although the majority of them were not planned, they became to be increasingly happy accidents. At first, Catheryn was still nervous and uncomfortable around a man that was still really a stranger – but then Selwyn had a way of putting her so carefully at ease.

“Have you considered Harold?” Selwyn said carelessly, flicking away a fly that was bothering him. They had accidently met in a corridor just after the midday meal, and Selwyn’s words caught Catheryn’s attention.

She snorted. “You can’t be serious.”

Selwyn joined in her laughter.

“So, he’s not the most obvious choice. Does that discount him?”

There was another snort. A servant walked down the corridor, glanced at the laughing couple and then took a closer look. Wide eyes told Selwyn that she had realised who they were.

“No, but can you imagine him reading for more than five minutes? He doesn’t strike me as a man who even knows where the books are!”

“And he does have a more pressing concern at present.”

Catheryn looked puzzled. “He does?”

“Have you not noticed his skin lately?”

Despite trying not to laugh, Catheryn gave in. “That is cruel, Selwyn!”

Selwyn smiled ruefully. “I suppose it is. You shall have to teach me better manners.”

Catheryn coloured slightly, but ignored the compliment. “You do not think that it could be him then?”

Selwyn paused for a moment, but another servant walked past, and he looked scandalised. Selwyn realised that the daughter of the house did not generally pause in corridors to giggle with servants.

“And if that is all, my lady, I’ll wish you good day.”

Selwyn bowed low and whispered, “I can stay here no longer.”

Rising, he saw Catheryn nod her understanding.

“Thank you, Selwyn,” she said, turned, and walked away.

It was two days later before coincidence brought them together again, and this time it was before the rest of the household had broken their fast. Catheryn had come down early for some peace and quiet; some news of the royal court had arrived the evening before, and her parents had kept the entire household up late in their wish to discuss it. What she hadn’t expected was to find Selwyn awake also – but then, she chastised herself, she should have. As the steward, Selwyn was generally up first and to bed last.

He was laying the fire in the centre of the Great Hall. Catheryn sat quietly on a bench, but she wasn’t subtle enough to escape his notice.

“Good morning, my lady,” he said with a smile.

“Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“I’m afraid that I did not,” confessed Catheryn. “I could not get out of my mind who this poet is.”

Selwyn hid a smile behind a large log he was placing in the centre of the grate. His joke had given way to a surprising amount of pleasure for him.

“You do not think that it is Cuthbert?”

Selwyn rose, and adopting a rather brutish air, strode towards her.

“M’lady,” he said, imitating Cuthbert’s brisk tones. “I wish to court you. Be my wife, and never think again.

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