Page 70 of The Silent Songbird

As soon as she finished, they all began to exclaim and talk at once. Westley smiled broadly and clapped his hands together. Lady le Wyse embraced her. The children were calling out, “Sing another! Sing another!”

When they all quieted, Lady le Wyse said, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard more beautiful singing.”

“I’ve never heard better,” Lord le Wyse said. “If you do not win the contest at the festival, it will be an injustice.”

“Thank you,” Evangeline said, unable to stop smiling. It felt good to hear their praise, but seeing Westley’s genuine smile was the best of all.

“Will you sing one more for us?” Lady le Wyse prompted.

Evangeline nodded, then closed her eyes to choose another song.She finally thought of one, a lullaby she and Muriel sometimes sang together.

As she sang, even the youngest two, who could not have been more than eight or nine, gave her their rapt attention.

When she finished, they all reacted as before. Singing in front of an audience of Glynval’s people would be much more rewarding than singing for a wealthy, privileged king and his equally wealthy, privileged retinue.

Evangeline was gradually getting to know the other house servants, but she missed Muriel and Nicola, whom she rarely saw now, as they did most of their work at the dairy and the kitchen.

When Sunday came again, Evangeline searched through the crowd of servants walking toward the Glynval Church until she spotted Muriel. She hurried toward her and the two women embraced, then continued on behind the others.

“Evangeline.” Muriel’s eyes were swimming in tears.

“What is it? Did something happen?”

Muriel’s chin trembled. “You will have to forgive me, Evangeline, but I cannot stay here any longer. I am traveling back to Berkhamsted Castle with a group of men who are taking a load of cheeses to the castle.”

Evangeline stared, trying not to let Muriel know how panicked her words made her.

“I’m not a servant, not the kind I have to be here. I want to go home.” Tears streamed down Muriel’s cheeks. “And I want you to come with me. Evangeline, think what you are giving up, what you sacrifice every day. Look at your hands. Are you not in pain? Why areyou putting yourself through that? You could go home with me and live in luxury and at ease as Lord Shiveley’s wife.”

Tears formed in Evangeline’s eyes at her friend’s distress. “I cannot.” They were both crying now.

“Are you so in love with Westley? Do you think you might be able to get him to marry you?”

“I . . . I don’t know.”

“If you think he will marry you, I could tell the king and Lord Shiveley that you died, and they would stop searching for you.”

“Are you that miserable, Muriel? Is it truly so bad? I will ask Lady le Wyse to let you work with me in the castle. I think she would agree.”

She shook her head, staring down at the road instead of at Evangeline. “I’m leaving. I have made up my mind.”

“What if they don’t believe you when you say I am dead? What if they force you to tell them the truth? Or ask you where my grave is so they can make sure?”

“I don’t think they would.”

“But what will you do when you go back to Berkhamsted? What if there is no place for you there?” Since Evangeline would be gone, she would have no one for whom to be a companion.

“I shall ask the king to take me into his household and give me a place there.”

Evangeline could think of no other objections. “Are you sure you are willing to lie to the king?” Her insides trembled at the thought that Muriel might decidenotto lie. After all, she thought Evangeline should return to Berkhamsted Castle and marry Lord Shiveley. Perhaps she’d tell them where Evangeline was, to ensure she had no real choice in the matter.

They were nearing the church. Evangeline caught hold of Muriel’s arm. “Please don’t leave.”

“You only want me to stay so you will not be found out. But I hate it here.”

“Why? Is someone mistreating you? I will do something to stop them.”

“No, it isn’t that. I just . . . I am homesick. I . . . I miss someone.”