Page 60 of Castle of Refuge

Maris walked into the room. Her large friend, Umfrey, was just behind her.

“You must be trying to impress him. Why else would you be teaching the villeins’ children to read? Though I do not know why Lord Dericott would care about a thing like that.” Maris’s expression was sneering but also confounded.

“What do you want, Maris?” Where was the guard? Why was he not there? Her heart pounded.

“I know what Lord Dericott told Father. ‘Mad Maris is bothering poor little Audrey again.’” She made her voice sound both whiny and contemptuous. “But Father does not control me. And I will not be bested by you. You think you have won because you have your earl, but I will show you who has won.”

“I don’thavean earl, Maris. Lord Dericott is planning to marry someone else. I need you to stop being jealous of me for reasons that don’t exist.”

“It’s very strange that you have not heard the news.”

“What news?”

“That Lord Dericott is not marrying Lady Ophelia. She married someone else, the son of the Earl of Cavendish.”

She didn’t trust anything Maris said. But was it true? Her heart did a happy leap.

Foolish heart.

“That certainly does not mean...”

“That he will want to marry you? Everyone believes it but you—if indeed you do not believe it.”

“Maris, please, just leave me alone. Please.”

“Come home with me then. Or do what Father wanted and marry Sir Clement.”

“But why? Why do you care? Why do you want me—”

“Because I hate you, that’s why. I want you to be miserable, married to an old man who isn’t even very wealthy. Why should you be happy? Father sent me to the convent because of you, to make you happy. Do you know what they did to me there? They forced me to pray a thousand times a day, to go days without speaking. They punished me by putting me in a room where I was not allowed to see anyone, and I was told to talk to God about my sins. I was not acceptable to them, and I was not acceptable to Father, and it is not fair!”

“I am sorry you were treated badly.” Audrey’s heart squeezed in pity. “It would be terrible to be shut away from people and—”

“Stop talking!” Maris covered her ears. “I can’t bear to hear your mewling voice, pretending to care. It’s all your fault anyway. Every bad thing that has happened to me is your fault!”

Audrey was afraid to say anything else. It seemed whatever she said would only incense Maris further.God, please help me!

“You will come home to Father or go to Sir Clement, because that is what Father wants.”

“Why do you care what Father wants?”

“Father will see that I am the good daughter because I gethim what he wants. You are the rebellious daughter who is selfish and only wants her way.”

God, help me.

“Now, will you come with me and Umfrey?”

Audrey shook her head. “I have an occupation here. I am a teacher. I need to stay.”

Maris’s eyes narrowed, her jaw flinching. Then she turned her head slightly toward Umfrey and said, “Get her.”

Umfrey started toward Audrey.

Her heart beat hard and fast. She stepped back. “Stop. Stay away from me. What have you done to Lord Dericott’s guard?”

“Get her!” Maris repeated, backing out of the way of Umfrey.

Audrey backed up a few steps, then darted toward the door, skirting around the lumbering Umfrey. But he was faster than she imagined him. He caught her by the shoulder before she could reach the door.