“Naught to be done,” Ernald said with a shrug.
Bethany added, “When she rouses, she can go to her bed and rest till the headache fades. She always has a headache afterwards.” The maid gave the last bit of information as if it were a grave personal failing on Angelet’s part.
“You would just leave her here till she wakes on her own?”
“There’s no waking her now, sir. Trust me, we’ve tried all manner of tricks. Screaming in her ear, banging pots, striking her…she sleeps on.”
Rafe was appalled at the maid’s list of abuses. He couldn’t rely on the manor’s inhabitants to care for her, so he’d have to do what he could. He gathered Angelet in his arms. She did not weigh that much.
“I’ll carry her to her bed,” he announced.
Ernald blocked his path. “I should do it.”
“Then why didn’tyoupick her up?” Rafe asked. “I’ve got her, so let me by. Jesu.”
The lordling sneered but stepped aside. “Bethany, show him the way,” Ernald ordered.
Bethany led them out of the chapel and across the courtyard to the manor house. Rafe followed, trying to keep his stride steady so as not to disturb Angelet more than necessary.
Not that she seemed the slightest bit aware of her surroundings. Her head lolled against his shoulder and one arm slipped down, dangling toward the ground.
“Simon,” Rafe ordered. “Her arm.”
Simon, who’d been like a faithful shadow, now circled and gently laid Angelet’s arm across her stomach. His expression was still stunned, and Rafe knew the young man was highly disturbed by Angelet’s condition.
The little party made its way through the manor house. A few other residents stood by as they passed. Some muttered, a few crossed themselves hastily. None offered to help.
On the upper floor, Bethany opened the door to a corner chamber. “This one, sir.”
Rafe passed through the doorway to find a small space enclosed in darkness. He saw the narrow bed as a faint patch of lighter color and laid Angelet down on it. “Light a candle,” he ordered the maid.
Bethany did so, grumbling about Rafe’s officiousness.
Ernald came in then. He looked at Angelet, lying on her bed, then at Rafe. “You can go now, sir knight.”
“She can’t be alone.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Ernald said.
Rafe almost laughed out loud. As if he’d let Ernald near Angelet after what he’d seen earlier that night. “No.”
“I’m her family. You’re nothing.”
Simon, who’d been silent thus far, now stepped forward. “That’s an insult!”
“Simon, stand down,” Rafe said quietly. He thought for a moment. “Please find someone who can tell us more of what’s going on. Lord Otto, if that’s what it takes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ernald snapped, “Bethany, come with me. I would speak with you.”
After they left, Rafe sat on the stool next to the bed, leaning against the wall. He waited, listening to the shallow breathing of Angelet.
He wasn’t sure why it felt so important to remain beside her, other than the pure shock of seeing her so lively, and then a short time later so still. He also didn’t trust the household to look after the lady, not after Bethany’s callous response to seeing Angelet helpless on the floor.
About a half an hour passed, during which time Angelet didn’t stir even the slightest bit. Rafe stayed at the bedside, watching her to make sure she didn’t worsen. Not that he’d know what that would look like.
Then there was a stir in the hall. The lady of the manor walked in, flanked by two new maids. One bore wine and the other some cloth and a bowl of warm water.
