Page 41 of Rogue Knight
He kissed her forehead and whispered, “That you do not reject my kiss encourages me, Emma. Were we alone, I would not leave you so soon.” He pulled back and let out a breath. “Still, I would provide no further display for either Alain or your neighbors who might be curious to know what passes between us.”
She was gratified to see Sir Alain stood some distance away on the other side of Sir Geoffroi’s stallion, his back to them. “Thank you for protecting my reputation, though I am certain my neighbors already wonder at my behavior.”
“I hope they do not cause you concern.”
“Nay.” She would not change what she had done no matter her neighbors disapproved. She had enjoyed her evening with Sir Geoffroi.
“When are you to meet with Helise Malet to plan the garden?”
“Two days hence.”
“If I can, I will be there to bid you welcome.”
***
The next day, kneeling in her own garden, Emma loosened the dirt around the young plants that had risen from the soil. The smell of the herbs and the rich, tilled earth reminded her of the summer harvest that would come.
The garden was nestled behind the kitchen and surrounded by a reed fence some distance from the stable at the rear of her home. While not nearly the scale of the one her family had cultivated in Lincolnshire, it was of sufficient size that they always had more than enough to share with others. Cabbage, leeks, turnips and kale were among the vegetables she planted, along with herbs for cooking—parsley, sage, chives and dill—and those for healing, like betony and chamomile. She planted flowers, too, both for eating and for healing, though not many. Her small garden did not allow for all she would have liked, but there was always enough.
A shadow fell over the plant she was weeding. She sat back on her heels and lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
Sigga stood over her, a worried expression on her face. “Mistress, I am concerned about Inga.”
Emma set aside her tools and rose, dusting off the tunic she usually wore to dig in the earth. “Why?”
“These past few days she has spewed up her morning meal.”
“She is unwell?” Inga had seemed so much happier in recent days. Emma had begun to believe the young woman would be able to look forward to her future.
“No, I do not think she is sick.” Sigga hesitated, wringing her hands, as if reluctant to say more.
“What, then?” Emma waited for her servant to speak. Whatever she had to say was obviously causing her pain.
“I believe she is with child.”
“Oh, no.” Emma’s heart sank. She had hoped there would be no child from the rape, no lasting reminder of that night. Her own courses were so erratic she did not note Inga missing one, but she had not inquired. Perhaps she had not let herself consider she might be wrong in her assumption all was well. “If what you believe is true, this changes everything.”
“Aye, Mistress. And just now she ran from the house. When I shouted after her, asking where she was going, she said only ‘the old tower’.”
Emma inhaled sharply.
Sigga said, “Might she go to confront the knight who is responsible?”
“Nay,” she said, rising from the ground. “Inga would not want to see him again.” Suddenly a thought came to Emma, one so horrible it made her heart speed in panic. “Sigga, the square tower the Normans first built is the highest point in the city, save for the Minster. I pray she does not plan what I fear.”
“What?” inquired a concerned Sigga.
“The shame she feels may have impelled her to want to take her own life. I think she means to cast herself down from the ramparts.”
Sigga crossed herself. “God and all the angels, no.”
Emma raced into the house, Sigga following on her heels. “I must stop her.”
“But you will not be admitted to the Norman castle,” cautioned the servant. “Neither will Inga.”
Reaching the door, Emma grabbed her cloak from the peg. “She has only to persuade them she is a new servant and they will let her in. They did me when I went to see Sir Geoffroi. Keep watch over the twins and do not let Magnus leave. He would only draw unwanted attention and no servant would travel with a hound.”
She ran out the door. Once in the street, her gaze searched for Inga but all she saw were people going about their business. It was midday and the streets were crowded. If Inga were running, she would be some distance ahead.
