Page 48 of Castle of Refuge

“I have always known how to read, since I was very young, as I learned from my older sister’s tutor when Sybil—that is my nurse—said I was too young. Apparently I sneaked into the schoolroom and the tutor allowed me to stay. But it is hard to imagine not knowing how to read and write and add and subtract. I think it will give the girls a sense of confidence, and that will be good for everyone in the village.”

“Confidence is a valuable character trait.” Lord Dericott was nodding his head and staring at the ground.

Audrey stared sideways at him. Was he sincere?

“I like that you mention confidence. It is different from arrogance and pride, which inflates a person’s view of themselves and makes them difficult to work with. But confidence is the very thing needed to accomplish any task. If a young squire has no confidence, he cannot succeed in training to be a knight. He cannot even raise his sword to fight. And the more confidence he gains, the more able he is to learn and the better he becomes. If he canstay humble rather than becoming prideful, then his confidence will increase and he can accomplish more and more.”

“That sounds wise.” She would have to ponder this, but it sounded quite true.

“I think that applies to others as well. If these girls have confidence in their abilities, they can do many more things.”

She seemed to recall something in the Holy Writ about confidence, being confident in God and something about being bold.

And there was the part that said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That certainly seemed like an expression of confidence in Jesus as well as oneself.

“I do care for my people,” he said quietly. “It is not a very popular sentiment among lords, but I believe if I don’t care for them, I am worse than an unbeliever in God’s eyes.”

He was correct; it was not a popular sentiment. As evidenced by the response to the Great Uprising, or Wat Tyler’s Rebellion as it was also known, the lords of the land believed they had been given the right to own other people by God, that God had established them as wealthy lords and noblemen, and therefore their villeins, who had been born into poverty, were ordained by God to serve them. And they did not feel any obligation to care for those serving them in any compassionate way.

God judges the heart.Audrey seemed to recall reading that in the Holy Writ as well.

Audrey had never been able to see herself, in her mind’s eye, being married to Sir Clement. But as similarly as she and Edwin seemed to think . . . The idea suddenly jumped into her mind ofLord Dericott and Audrey living happily together as man and wife.

She thrust the thought just as quickly from her mind.

They walked the rest of the way to the castle, only speaking about the trees and commenting on the kinds of animals that lived in the forest, as they were near enough to his guard that he could hear their conversation. The guard still carried the baskets—rather stiffly and silently—now that they had passed through the village.

“I do like discovering new things about animals, learning how they behave,” Audrey said. “I once watched a pair of beautiful blue kingfishers all summer. I knew where their nest was in the side of a riverbank, and I watched them catch fish and feed their babies.”

“That sounds very interesting.”

“Very! I could watch them swoop into the water and catch tiny fish. And they raised three sets of babies in that one summer.”

“It sounds like you enjoyed that. I know of a stork’s nest nearby, if you’d like to see it.”

“Oh, I would love to. I have never seen a stork’s nest. It must be enormous.”

“It is very large. I will take you there sometime. Whenever you like.”

“Thank you. I would like that.”

They were walking across the castle courtyard when Audrey caught sight of a courier riding toward them wearing the colors of a nobleman. Lord Dericott saw him too, and nodded to Audrey. “Good day.” Then he turned to meet the courier.

“Good day.” Audrey was becoming accustomed to Lord Dericott’s abrupt leave-taking. She would almost think she made him nervous. Or perhaps it was the courier who made him anxious, delivering an important letter he’d been waiting for.

Audrey took the baskets from the guard and went inside.

“Did the children like the food?” Mistress Wattlesbrook was standing in the corridor near the door.

“Yes, they did, I thank you. I shall go and tell Cook how much they enjoyed it.”

“Did Lord Dericott walk with you all the way from the village?”

“He did. I think he wished to see the students he has been so generous with.”

“The students. Hmm, yes.” Mistress Wattlesbrook smiled but looked away, not meeting Audrey’s gaze.

Did Mistress Wattlesbrook think Lord Dericott had other motives for walking to the church? But she had not seen the abrupt way he had taken his leave of her when they arrived home. And Mistress Wattlesbrook must know that he was to marry Lady Ophelia.