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.I want to give what I owe.After all, Jesus says we should do more than our share, not less.” He looked at her attentively, and so after a short pause, she went on, choosing her words carefully.“You asked me what I want.What I wanted most was to read the Bible.For the past three years I’ve wanted to be a nun, to study the Holy Writ and take my vows.”She scrutinized Lord le Wyse’s face just as he was studying hers.He might think she was hoping he would take an interest in sending her to an abbey.And perhaps, after her three years of service to him, he would consider helping her enter a convent.It may have been her imagination, but his features seemed to visibly soften after she said she wanted to be a nun.He relaxed against the back of his chair, casting a shadow over his face so that she couldn’t read his expression or see if he was still studying her face.“You want to be a nun,” he said softly.“You are aware it costs money to enter a convent.Something your family does not have.”“No, my lord, they do not.”Now he was undoubtedly thinking that she hoped he might send her to an abbey.She waited for him to speak again, but the silence stretched on and grew awkward.Finally Mistress Eustacia came toward them, having packed away her sewing.“It is late, my dears.Are you ready, Annabel?”She nodded, but the book in her lap was so heavy she was unable to stand.He stood and stared down at her, still not saying anything.If only she knew what he was thinking.She suddenly remembered again the night she had seen him bent over in agony and the strange, animallike sounds of anguish that had come from him.Such an impassioned man.But at the moment she had the impression that he was forcing a look of indifference.“Of course.” He took the book from her lap.“You may go.”She hurried away from him, and Mistress Eustacia went out with her.When Annabel got down to the undercroft, all lights were out and she could barely see to get to her cot.As she crawled under the sheet, Beatrice sat up in the bed beside hers.“Annabel?” she whispered.“Yes?”There was silence before Beatrice finally asked, “What are you and Lord le Wyse doing every night?”“I am reading to him.That is all.”Beatrice sniffed.She sounded like she was crying.“What’s wrong?”“Nothing.”“Do you miss Lincolnshire, your home?”“Not much.” She sniffed again, loudly.“I only wish I knew how to get Lord le Wyse to notice me.”What could she say to that? “We are only servants, Beatrice.Perhaps it’s better not to be noticed.”“Does he ever … you know … say nice things to you, tell you you’re pretty, when you’re reading together?”“No, of course not.He summons me only because I understand Latin.I read, then I leave.” She didn’t want to tell Beatrice that the two of them actually had a conversation tonight.Beatrice wouldn’t take that well — or understand it was completely innocent.“He is a good lord, don’t you think?” Beatrice wiped her nose with the back of her hand.“Yes, I think he is.” Better than most, I suppose.He seemed much kinder tonight, less judgmental of her.She remembered her profound relief and gratitude at the way he came to her aid, protecting her from the bailiff both in the field a few days ago, and today as she was doing laundry.She could almost forget he told the bailiff that he was fortunate because she wouldn’t marry him.Almost.Annabel awoke a few hours later to the sound of muffled yells from outside.She sat up in bed.Only a tiny shaft of light came through the shutters.What could be happening in the middle of the night to cause such a commotion?The undercroft door flew open, revealing a man’s form, an eerie orange glow behind him.His shoulders heaved up and down as he gasped for breath.“Fire! Come and help us!”Then he disappeared.Frightened squeals and gasps filled the room as several girls scrambled out of bed.Annabel jumped out of bed as well.She hastily pulled her oldest dress over her nightgown and ran outside with bare feet [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]