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plundering
ways.”
    “Aye, ‘tis true. My
own home fell to the rebels - I am seeking refuge in Hampshire.”
    Edith’s face
softened in sympathy and her rigid posture relaxed. “I’m sorry to ‘ear that,
milady. I have family in ‘ampshire.”
    Annabel smiled
between a bite of bread. “Oh, perchance you know of my uncle, Lord Benedict of
Priorsdene?”
    The maid gave
Annabel an odd look followed by a tight smile. “Aye, I know of him.”
    “You do not care
for him?”
    Edith looked
flustered, a rash of colour filling her wrinkled cheeks. “Nay, milady, I mean…”
    “‘Tis well enough,
Edith. He is not kindest of men - that much I know - but he has been good to me
this past year.”
    “Oh, I do not know
him personally, milady. I have just ‘eard…forgive me, I speak out of turn.”
Edith looked at her lap, folding her hands into her apron.
    Annabel was struck
by curiosity. What was it that Edith did not want to tell her? Had something
happened to him during the rebellion? Mayhap the rebels had taken hold of
Priorsdene too.
    “Edith, I shall not
scold you for honest words. Pray tell, what have you heard? I should like to
know how things fare in Hampshire.”
    Edith chewed on her
lip before meeting Annabel’s beseeching gaze. “We ‘ad some travellers pass
through not two days ago from Priorsdene. ‘Tis said that Lord Benedict has all
but deserted the manor and taken most of the men-at-arms with ‘im. The villagers
fear for their safety.”
    Annabel frowned.
Why would he ask her to join him if he was not going to be there?
    “Are you sure?”
    “Aye, milady. There
is…there is talk of treachery.”
    Unable to conceal
her surprise, Annabel gasped. “Surely not!”
    “Forgive me, milady.
I did not mean to upset ye.”
    Annabel placed a
hand on Edith’s arm, realising that she had pushed the maid to tell her far
more than she wanted. “Nay, I thank you, Edith. I am sure the rumours are
unfounded but I am glad to have been forewarned of them. Mayhap I shall be able
to apprise my uncle of them and ensure his name is not sullied. There must be a
good reason for him to have left Priorsdene,” she said with more certainty than
she felt.
    Edith still looked
uncomfortable as she stood and motioned to Annabel’s bowl. “Are ye finished,
milady?”
    Annabel
contemplated the empty bowl for a moment with a frown. “Aye, of course.”
    Taking the bowl in
hand, Annabel quickly realised that Edith would not be keeping her company for
the eve - mayhap too fearful of more questions. Annabel could not blame her, no
maid liked to be caught gossiping.
    “Sleep well,
milady. I shall return in the morrow to help you dress and,” She eyed Annabel’s
long hair with worry, “…do your hair.”
    With a grateful smile,
Annabel nodded. “Good night, Edith.”
    ***
    As Annabel sank
appreciatively onto her pallet, her thoughts turned to Nicholas. Where was he
now? Was he sleeping or did he lie awake thinking of her? She shook her head
and tried to dismiss her foolish thoughts but they would not abate. She missed
him. No matter how ridiculous the notion that she should miss such an
introverted man seemed, she could not shake it. His absence left an odd ache
within her.
    Edith’s words about
her uncle plagued her as well. Why would he leave Priorsdene at a time like
this? There would have to be good reason for him to leave his villeins at risk.
And treachery? Surely not!
    Sleep slowly
claimed her, her exhaustion finally overtaking her overwrought mind, but she
slept poorly, awoken by the bell for Matins and Lauds. She was grateful she did
not have to join the nuns in prayer but it still disturbed her much needed
rest.
    Edith woke her
early for mass and helped her pull on her dirty gown. Annabel grumbled as she
was dressed. Morning never did suit her and she was confident that the Lord
have never intended for people to rise so early. Her spirits rose when Edith
helped her rinse her hair over a bowl and started to pull a