Eva’s displeasure had to show on her face but instead of being angry with her father, she smiled and took the seat next to him. That he called her “sprig”, his endearment for her, softened her reaction to his dreadful news. “An end? Why would you end my lessons? You know how fond I am of singing.”
“We must leave for Edinburgh this day.”
“Leave? Did you not only return? And why would I go with you? You never take me on your travels, especially to Edinburgh. I detest riding in the carriage and never travel.”
“I made haste to get here at the king’s behest. You see…” her father’s voice trailed off and his shoulders rose and fell with a heavy sigh. That’s when she noticed his breath labored a little.
“Da, are you ailing?”
“I must have picked up a chill on my trek, but I am well enough. We have much to discuss.”
She was slightly concerned for his well-being, but he didn’t seem to be. “What is it?” Eva was disheartened at his tone because it alluded to bad tidings which she was certain would displease her.
Her da reached across the table and took hold of her hand. “The king has betrothed you. I was told to bring you posthaste for the wedding. We must hurry and return to Edinburgh.”
“Betrothed? To who? Surely you could have told him some falsity to get out of it.”
His brows rose, showing he was aghast at such a suggestion. “You would have me speak falsely to the king? No, sprig, I could not do that. Several men are being offered as grooms and we will find out who the king has named as your husband when we arrive.” He broke into a coughing fit and she hurried to pat his back.
He flapped his hand at her and she ceased trying to give him aid. Words couldn’t form as her mind reeled with his news. She was being forced to marry and by the king no less?Sweet Mary. She had no retort to his news and if she had, it would dismay her dear da.
He continued with a softening to his eyes after clearing his throat, “Ah, you, sprig, are so akin to your mother, a beauty that would make any man happy. With your long brown locks and pretty blue eyes… I see so much of Anne in you and I miss her terribly. Every time I look at you, I am reminded of her.”
Eva’s heart twinged at her da’s somber words. Her father rarely spoke about her mother and the mention of her brought on a little melancholy too. Her mother died birthing her and Eva was said to take after her in likeness. Still, she knew little about the woman and often held guilt because if not for her, her mother would not have died. That he spoke of her now seemed unaccountable. Eva always thought her father blamed her for his loss, yet he never said so outright.
Her father sighed wistfully and continued, “She would have been proud to have you as a daughter. I should have taken better care to have you trained in wifely duties, alas, I spoiled you. But ’tis time you married. You need to be settled with a husband and begin your life as a woman should, not here taking care of an old man.”
“Oh, Da, you are not old and I do not mind taking care of you.” Eva could have laughed at that because she did little to care for him.
They had a manor full of maids and servants who tended to their every need. Being the baby and only daughter, her father had indulged her with gifts when she was young and an abundant allowance when she grew to womanhood. Now the thought of having to leave him and her home tightened her chest.
“But I like my life here with you, Da, and do not want a husband.” Eva tried to think of any excuse to delay or to object to the king’s decree. As she pressed the wavy locks of her hair behind her shoulder, she muttered, “Could we not tell him that I am ailing or am unable to travel? Surely the king would believe you.” Eva lowered her chin, dejected at what her father told her. Of all the news he could have imparted, that she was to be betrothed was the last thing she expected.
“I cannot tell a falsity to my king, lass. We must reach Edinburgh before month’s end. The weddings are taking place then. We have no time to dally and must be on the road by midday. Now, ready yourself and be quick. Pack your things and be sure to bring something appropriate to wear for the feast and celebration. The king says it will be quite an enjoyable affair with many in attendance.”
“Can I at least eat my morning fare before I am hied off to this wedding?” Her tone was light yet curt.
“Aye, let us partake of our morning feast. Tell me about your lessons with Brother Abram. When I told him that you would no longer be coming for lessons, he was somewhat relieved.”
Eva chuckled and leaned forward to snatch a sweet roll from the basket on the table. Though she wasn’t hungry after receiving suchdreadful news, she forced herself to eat. The ride to Edinburgh was long and would take at least two days. Her stomach fluttered with nervousness as it was and it would do well to put something in it.
She then poured a cup of mead for them both. “Brother Abrams probably was relieved. Each time I met with him, he swore that the Bishop would have his hide if he found out he was teaching me the chants. Your alms to the church certainly persuaded him to take the risk.”
Her father scoffed a laugh. “Yet he was still willing to teach you. I fear he may have been besotted by you. He says you have the sweetest voice he’s ever heard. That he was willing to risk the Bishop’s punishments says much, even if my alms were substantial.”
She knew that to be true. Brother Abram was kind to take the time to help her vocalize the songs she wanted to learn. He spent a good amount of time helping her to get the pitch and ranges right, teaching her in both English and Latin. She’d miss the man and was sad that she would no longer get to sing in church.
As she ate, she questioned her father further about his trip to Edinburgh. “I thought you were going to Edinburgh to meet with the lords. How did the king know that you were there?”
“Many of the men that I met with are the king’s council. They told him that I would attend the meeting, which sadly reminded him of you, and Alexander called me forth. Sprig, I know that you are distressed to marry and that you want to stay here but that cannot be. The king has put forth a plan that involves others in these marriage pacts and we must accept his courtesy. I want you to be happy, lass, and to make the most of your marriage. I shall be deeply distraught if you do not. Promise me that you will make the effort to be content.”
Eva patted his hand in an attempt to placate him. He seemed rather anxious about the matter. “Of course, Da, I promise. I am not pleased by it, but as you said, I have no choice. It will take me a short time to pack. I will worry for you. Who will take care of you if I amnot here? You shall have no family about the manor.”
“There are plenty of servants and your eldest brother, Richard, is meeting us in Edinburgh as well. He will bear witness to your wedding and then he shall return here with me.” Her father picked up the cup she’d placed before him and drank. Then he rose and gave her an affectionate gaze. “It pleases me to know that you will be looked after…”
Eva tried not to frown at her father’s words because there was something more he wasn’t telling her. Still, she could never get her father to reveal what he wished to withhold. “Why is Richard returning with you? Does he not have service left in the king’s army? And what of Stephen and Howard?”
She hadn’t seen her brothers in over a year or more. When Richard went to serve the king, he was full of pride. Stephen left shortly after Richard and sought to find his fortune, whatever that was. Their father and her middle brother, Stephen, had fought and harsh words were spoken. How she missed Stephen. Of her three brothers, she was closest to him because he had always included her and never ignored her. Though he was older, Stephen never minded her constant questions. Richard never had time for her and Howard always had his nose in a book of scripture. She wasn’t disheartened that her youngest brother was put in service to the church. With her brothers gone though, life had been somewhat lonely.
