Page 47 of Castle of Refuge

The air went out of her. She refused to think about why she had felt so disappointed that he had not stayed until it was time for the children to go home.

“Thank you for teaching us.” Rebecca, the fifteen-year-old, smiled shyly. “And please tell Lord Dericott we are grateful.”

Audrey had made sure to tell the children that Lord Dericott was the one to thank for the food and texts from the Holy Writ, as well as the slates and soapstone they used for writing.

“You can tell him yourself, if he is still nearby.”

“Oh no.” Rebecca shook her head vigorously. “I could never speak to Lord Dericott.”

“Whyever not?”

“He is the lord of this land. He is the Earl of Dericott.” Her eyes were big and round, as if she could not fathom how Audrey could not understand that she could never talk to Lord Dericott.

“He will not frighten or harm you.” But she understood. She’d probably feel the same if she ever had to speak to King Richard.

Nevertheless, Edwin—Lord Dericott—had such a gentle way about him, such a calmness in his demeanor. She couldn’t imagine being frightened to talk to him. But she also knew how her father treated his villeins. He ignored them. If one were to fall across his path he’d probably either step on them or kick them. They might not be wealthy or know how to read, but they were humans, and Audrey had learned from reading the Holy Writ, both with her tutor and by herself, that Jesus did not treat people badly, no matter if they were rich or poor. And if the Son of God did not treat them badly, what right had any man or woman to do so, whether they be princes, earls, or viscounts’ daughters?

The older girls helped Audrey roll up the Saint Luke parchments, and Audrey placed them in the empty baskets and hung them on her arms, as she normally did, and left from the back door of the church, out of the room they used for their lessons.

Standing under a tree was Lord Dericott, talking with her youngest students, Lucinda and Larissa.

“How did you lose it?” Lucinda was saying, staring wide-eyed at Lord Dericott’s left shoulder where his arm should have been.

Audrey held her breath. Would Lord Dericott realize she was only an innocent child and did not mean any harm?

“My brothers and I were fighting with some soldiers and a soldier hit my arm with his sword.”

“He cut off your arm?” Lucinda’s eyes went even wider, if that were possible, her mouth a big O.

“Nearly. A surgeon had to take it the rest of the way off.” Lord Dericott’s tone was as matter-of-fact as if he were speaking about the state of the roads with one of his guards.

Lord Dericott turned to her as she approached. “Your delightful students have just been telling me what a great teacher you are.”

Audrey felt her cheeks growing warm. If Lord Dericott was not accustomed to being around children, he might think they were being impertinent. But at least he was smiling.

“They are easy to teach, as they are eager to learn.”

The children scattered, but some of them stopped several feet away and watched them.

“May I take your burden?” He stared at the baskets on her arms.

“Oh no, no.” Her cheeks started to burn. It would be too unseemly for him, an earl, to carry baskets. And the fact that he only had one arm... Her face was positively in flames now.

Thankfully a guard was nearby, no doubt watching over Lord Dericott, and he strode forward and took her baskets from her without asking.

“I hope you don’t mind if Daniel and I escort you home.”

“No, of course not.” Audrey’s heart stuttered as they started walking toward the castle.

Audrey was careful not to walk too close to her lord. Afterall, he was her benefactor as well as the children’s. Probably he only wanted to see how his resources were being used.

“What do you think of the work you and Engeram have me doing? Is it a worthy endeavor?” Certainly no other noblemen she knew of would be pleased to spend their money on feeding and teaching poor girls from his demesne.

“I am pleased that you and I can do something for the poor. I am glad that you seem to be enjoying your work with the children, and that you are no longer working as a house servant—”

Audrey laughed at this.

“And that the children look so happy.”