The Blacksmith’s Son

Chapter 9

The fireworks were every bit as spectacular as I had expected. We stood along the eastern parapet, looking across the lake that dominated the view on that side. Originally the lake had been separate but when the castle was built it had been expanded to fill the moat which surrounded the castle walls, but the main body still lay to the east. It made for a spectacular view with the pageantry of the fireworks reflected in its still surface. I found myself wishing Penny were watching with me, but I had been unable to spot her in the crowd.

I was sure she had to be here somewhere; even the servants had been given leave to lay aside their burdens and enjoy the display. The crowd was large, so it was unsurprising that I couldn’t find her. After a short time I was separated from Marc as well, he had been drawn aside by a conversation with Gregory Pern. Not really wanting to be involved I had kept moving, truthfully I was looking for Penny. We still had not spoken since the incident of the previous night and I was growing anxious, unsure what she might think about what had happened.

Moving through the crowd I saw Rose Hightower engaged in discourse with Stephen Airedale. He seemed very earnest about whatever he was telling her so I kept my distance and tried to avoid distracting them. I passed by and she called my name, “Master Eldridge! I had hoped to see you again before now.” She spoke with more excitement than I would have thought necessary.

“My apologies Lady Rose, if I had known please be sure wild horses could not have kept me from your side.” I was in a good mood, so I figured I would play the game of words. Stephen seemed disappointed at my arrival, which made sense once I understood his intentions. Most likely he had been trying to woo the lady, and as everyone knows, wooing is not a game for three. “If I am interrupting I can bother someone else,” I said, giving Stephen a sympathetic glance.

Lady Rose wouldn’t have that, obviously she wanted a rescue, “Nonsense, we would be charmed to have you join us.” She put her hand on Stephen’s shoulder in a move that had to be calculated.

“Of course,” he assured me, “unfortunately I need to excuse myself. You understand I’m sure.” Indeed I did, so I refrained from smiling, no need to rub salt in the wound.

He left graciously and Rose gave me a look of gratitude, “Thank you, I was having trouble finding polite ways to deter him, any longer and I might have been unforgivably rude.”

“Your beauty drives reason even from men of culture. Do not hold yourself to account for it. I have little doubt that you would eventually have turned him aside without injury to his pride.” I gave her a slight bow, intending to take leave myself. My part had already been played.

“Wait, I would speak with you,” she put her hand on my forearm. She was a woman who spoke with her hands and gestures as well as her eyes and words. Despite the restrictions and limitations of her class Rose Hightower was powerfully expressive, a natural communicator.

“Surely you have no need of my small words,” I answered her.

“Perhaps you have need of mine,” her eyes were full of hidden meaning.

Uncertain I paused, “I’m sure I will be richer for hearing them.”

“Then we must agree to a trade, first answer my question and I will share what knowledge I have with you.” She made it sound like a game, but something in her face hinted at more.

“We have a deal then, what would you know?” I replied.

“Who were you looking for just now?” her eyes twinkled with amusement.

“A friend, no one of importance.”

“That is no answer at all,” she frowned and removed her hand from my arm, conveying her disapproval.

“Penelope Cooper, a childhood friend and one of the maids here. Is that satisfactory?” I was a little annoyed at having to disclose that, lately Penny had become more important to me and I found myself embarrassed to discuss her.

“A lady friend, how interesting. Well enough, you should know that you made your first enemy at the reception the other day.” She gauged my reaction.

“I knew that, but there is no remedy for it.” If I got any better at wordy dialogue I’d be teaching classes in circumlocution soon.

“You are wise to accept that so readily. Your friend Marcus is lucky to have you, but his friendship puts you in grave danger.”

I knew that as well, but I wondered at her opinion, “How so?”

“A building’s strength lies in its foundation. Your enemy seeks to bring down the House of Lancaster. He will do so by undermining the foundation first, and you stand out as a key target in that pursuit.” I had heard this before, but I didn’t want to offend her.

“Lady Rose, I think you greatly overestimate my value.” Maybe she wasn’t as smart as I had initially thought.

“That may be, but I find it more likely that you underestimate yourself.” I could have argued, but didn’t bother. She would have gotten the last word anyway. A few more pointless exchanges and I pardoned myself to continue my search. This time she let me go without comment.

I wandered for a while, hunting for a woman with dark hair and eyes that could drink the moon. Lady luck didn’t see fit to help me though, damn her. Penny was elusive, like a dream you can’t remember on waking. Finally I gave up and devoted myself to enjoying the last of the show. A particularly impressive red bloom lit the sky above the lake, accompanied by a thundering boom. An idea struck me. Pure genius. I couldn’t wait to try it out.

Forgetting the light show I hurried back to my room to search for the words I needed in the ‘Grammar’. If I wasn’t able to find Penny at least I could prepare myself better for whatever lay ahead.

Penny stood in an embrasure, shadowed by a tall merlon. She was all but invisible there, which suited her just fine. She watched the colorful lights bursting overhead but she found no joy in them. When Mordecai came striding by, she almost stepped out. He had a look of concentration on his face and he walked with purpose. She had seen that look before, and she loved him for it. His mind was constantly in motion, and she could tell something had inspired him. The wind caught his hair, tossing it back, giving him the look of a hawk stooping to find its prey. She wanted to catch him, but her heart quailed at the thought, she couldn’t face him now. It was too soon.

She stood still, till he was past. Then she turned back to watch the last of the show, a forgotten tear slowly tracing the line of her cheek. There were people everywhere but she had never been so alone. A touch on her shoulder startled her and she nearly screamed thinking Devon had found her.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you my dear.” Rose Hightower was there, with a concerned look.

“Forgive me milady, I was caught up in my thoughts.” Penny self-consciously wiped away the tears that stained her cheeks. “Is there ought that you need of me?”

“Don’t apologize. Not all nobles are so heartless as Lord Devon,” Rose said this with a small grin, hoping to elicit a smile from the troubled maid. To her chagrin Penny began to cry, shoulders quaking with silent sobs.

Rose Hightower had been a lady and a peer of the realm since birth. She had addressed kings and been courted by every eligible bachelor in the realm, but she was much more than that. She was a woman of character and compassion first, without a thought she stepped forward and embraced Penny, “There there, it's ok.”

At first Penny tried to pull away, certain that her weakness would lead to even more trouble for herself. “No, no, don’t worry, I’m a friend,” Rose said, and she meant it. She held onto Penny until the girl relaxed, smoothing her hair and speaking softly to calm her.

Penny hadn’t had anyone to hold her when she cried since her mother died. Even though Rose was nearly her age she was reminded a bit of those days, days when she had felt safe. Eventually she calmed herself and pulled back. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t tell anyone about this… I don’t know what would…”

“Hush girl. I am not so cruel as that. What happened here is between us, and if you’ll let me I will help you as I am able,” Rose’s eyes were sympathetic. “Now tell me why you’re up here weeping while Mordecai searches high and low for you.”

“What? How do you know that…” Penny was startled.

“I spoke to him just a bit ago, he was looking for you and he seemed worried about you.” He hadn’t actually told her that but she had read it in his voice when he had answered her question, very little escaped Rose Hightower’s keen ears.

“I wasn’t hiding from Mort; honestly, I just didn’t want to encounter Lord Dev…” Penny stopped, “He’s been making a lot of demands of the staff. I meant no disrespect milady.”

Rose’s eyes narrowed, “None taken, I know all too well how unpleasant that putrescent man can be.” Rose stared at Penny for a moment, her mind working, she had heard rumors of Devon Tremont’s misdeeds before and she had an idea of what sorts of things he was capable of. “Penelope, do you trust me?”

“I hardly know you milady.” That remark could be construed as an insult, but she was in fact beginning to feel comfortable with Lady Rose.

“Fair enough. Listen to me, I know you are close friends with Dorian Thornbear, do you trust him?” Penny nodded. Dorian was one of the most honorable men she knew, not to mention their childhood friendship.

“I would trust him with anything milady. He’s a true gentleman,” she replied.

“Then accept me in his stead. I would trust Dorian with my life. If I can aid him, by helping you, I would count myself happy.” Rose looked steadily into Penny’s eyes.

“Why are you telling me this?” Penny could sense the other woman’s sincerity but she couldn’t fathom the reason behind it.

“Because I want to help you and before I can do that you have to answer me honestly, as one woman to another.” Rose paused.

“I don’t understand, but if you’re a true friend of Dorian’s I will answer you, if I am able.” Penelope felt silly answering like that, but Lady Rose seemed deadly serious.

“You mentioned Devon Tremont was hard on the staff, but I suspect you meant something more personal.” There was no easy way for Rose to broach the subject, but the look on Penny’s face answered her more quickly than words could have done. “Have you been ill-used Penny? Please tell me true, and if he has I will do all in my power to see that tyrant pay for his crimes.”

“No please, you can’t tell anyone, if anyone finds out he’ll…” Her words were confirmation enough.

“Relax. I won’t go shouting it from the rooftops. I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll make sure he can’t hurt you again. And eventually, I’ll make sure that man pays three times over for what he has done, or I am not a Hightower.” Her voice held a cold steel that made Penny shiver for a moment, yet it gave her hope as well.

“He’s the son of a duke, what can women do to such a man?” Penny was more interested in hope now than dissuading Rose.

“He’s the younger son of a duke, and his late brother Eric, was my friend.” Rose took her by the hand and began walking toward the stairs leading to the courtyard. “And you would be surprised what women can do.” The look in her eye would have given pause to even a king.