Page 19 of Nightshade

“The devil employs useful methods. It is what makes him a true threat to our virtue.”

The Lord Praecepsia cleared his throat. “Perhaps we can begin the ritual, as Lady Praecepsia has suffered exhaustion most of the morning.”

“Of course. Lustina, go fetch some water from the river.”

“The river, Your Excellency?”

“Do not question me, girl. There is a river that runs through the woods. Now, do as instructed.”

“Drystan.” Lady Praecepsia addressed the young man that Lustina had thought to be the young Lord Van Croix standing next to her. “Perhaps you can show her to the river. And be sure my son returns.” A hint of animosity colored her tone as she spoke to the boy.

“Yes, My Lady.” With a jerk of his head, the boy urged Lustina to follow.

Through the room where they’d congregated and down a corridor, he led her through the belly of the house. They passed a portrait of what Lustina guessed to be Lady Praecepsia holding a swaddled baby, through a kitchen that appeared to be the size of the entire cottage house she’d once shared with her mother, where servants bustled with tasks. And finally, beyond a door, they arrived at the back end of the estate, into an expansive yard with woods just a short distance away.

The boy named Drystan stopped at a shed and fetched a water bucket from inside.

“Thank you,” she said, accepting it from him.

“Wait. I should carry it for you.” He reached out his hand to take it back, and Lustina frowned.

“You think me incapable of carrying a bucket?”

“Of course not. It’s just what a gentleman does.”

At that, Lustina smiled shyly and allowed him to take the bucket, while she trailed his steps toward the woods. “Your home is beautiful. Like a castle.”

With a quick glance over his shoulder, he nodded. “It is a fine home. Do you live at the monastery?”

“Yes. I do not sleep where the pentash sleep, of course. I’ve a room in the bell tower.”

“The bell tower? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“I suppose so,” she said, feeling a sense of bravery in the fact he’d thought it to be so. “Although, I have been fortunate to have good weather.”

“In what capacity do you serve the church?”

“The gardens mostly. I am quite good with herbs and vegetables. My mother--” She hesitated to speak of her, as she’d been admonished the last time. “I was taught how to care for them.”

“It seems very useful to have such knowledge.

The comment brought another smile to her face. “Are you familiar with plants and herbs?”

“No. I know a bit of trapping, though.”

“You enjoy hunting?”

“Yes. At times, I accompany Lord Praecepsia on his excursions.” Strange that he referred to his own father so formally. “My favorite is wild boar. Such exciting and dangerous creatures. Bear, too.”

“My mother and I stuck to rabbits mostly.” Cursed mouth! She’d mistakenly spoken of her mother again.

“Your mother hunted?” The repulsed curl of his lip told Lustina such a thing was frowned upon there.

“Only when we ran low on provisions. Winters could be particularly hard in the forest. Sometimes, we relied on Fergus.”

“Fergus?”

“Our cat. Well, not ours, per se. He’s feral.”