The Protector by Becca St. John

Author:Becca St. John [John, Becca St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Winterbourne Farm Publishing
Published: 2014-01-18T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11 ~ GIFTS

Veri lifted the necklace Ieuan delivered with much pomp and circumstance earlier in the day. A gift from Roland. An opal set in a gentle ring of filigreed gold on a delicate rope matching the setting.

Veri knew nothing of jewels, could not judge value but she understood the worth, even without the exclamations of the women who gathered to see Roland’s latest gift. An extraordinary gift, a token of esteem. Something Roland carried, protected , across great distances for a special woman.

A woman Veri could never be.

“Cwen,” she said, as she lay the opal down on its bed of velvet.

“Aye, milady?” Cwen placed a deep blue kirtle upon the bed, lightly stroking the sunset red inner sleeve. A particular favorite of Cwen’s and now a perfect foil for an opal.

“I have a message for you to take into the village.”

“A message, milady?” Cwen’s hand slowed as it smoothed imagined creases out of the garment.

“For the foreigner, Tanya.” She ignored Cwen’s sharp breath. “You know who I speak of?”

Cwen did not respond.

“I need her to meet me in the entranceway prior to dinner.”

“I don’t think you want to be meeting her, milady.” Cwen braved.

Veri crossed to the gown, resting her hand upon Cwen’s. “Oh, Cwen, but I do. I would like very much to meet with her.”

“Lord Roland would not be pleased.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Veri admitted.

This afternoon she realized if she wanted to leave, it was as simple as fetching herbs on a rainy day. Yet today she returned.

She returned to a man who would give her gems in place of himself.

She didn’t want gems.

“Cwen,” Veri turned the girl to face her. “Lord Roland would not have wanted me to go out as we did this afternoon, but you’ve seen the good that has come with that? We have made salves and steam mixtures for those who suffer.”

“Milady, could you not send Maida, or someone else?”

“Maida’s not here, Cwen.” Veri tried again, “I can’t trust Maida as I can you and I need to meet with this Tanya. It’s extremely important.”

“Tomorrow, then? We could . . .”

“No, please, Cwen. I need you to go now.”

The door to Roland’s chamber opened. Both looked toward the entrance that separated her chamber from his. Urgent now, Veri pressed. “Please, Cwen.”

Cwen looked down at the satin gown, then up at Veri as Maida crossed the portal.

“You know what to say?” Veri asked her.

“Aye.”

“I won’t be long. Only the time it takes to dress.”

“Yes, milady.”

Cwen left, skirting past Maida without a glance.

Maida stared into the chamber, empty but for Veri. Her eyes wide with fear, but she no longer trembled.

“She will be back,” Veri promised. “In the meantime, Maida, help me to dress.”

Neither spoke as the maid helped Veri into a richly embroidered gown, gold girdle anchoring chains for scissors and purse. Maida eased enough to hum as she brushed Veri’s hair.

“Do you have younger sisters?” Veri asked.

Maida dropped the brush. “How did you know that?” She squeaked. Veri laughed.

“The way you fix my hair, the way you hum as you do it, as if a familiar and happy task.

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