“Aye, most lassies do not read, Milady,” Connor said.
“Och, ye do though?” Caden asked with a wondering tone.
“I most certainly do. I learned because it was forbidden. But I sat at the table when they had their lessons and pretended to be occupied with sewing so I could see what they were learning. My brothers used to tease me and say girls could not learn, except for my middle brother, Stephen. He gave me parchments and ink so I could practice and he used to help me when I had trouble with a word or language. We learned Latin, French, Gaelic, and English. I had hoped to learn Italian too but my brothers outgrew their lessons and the monks and brothers ceased coming.” Eva sighed, disheartened at the memories that overtook her of those times. She missed her brothers even though they often teased her and ignored her. Still, she cared about them and hoped they had good lives.
“Mayhap ye could teach us, Milady?” Caden asked.
“I would be happy to, Caden. We will begin after suppers when ’tis quiet and we can focus. Now that you will be taking to your training, by the evening you will appreciate a little peaceful learning time.”
Connor pushed the parchment toward her again. “Will ye read it to us?”
Eva took the parchment and opened it. She read:
Dearest Connor and Caden, My heart is heavy writing this as it appears your da and me may not survive this dreadful illness. Before I am unable to, I wanted to tell ye both that I am proud of ye. I shall always look out for ye even from Heaven. Be strong, lads, and follow Breckin’s lead. He shall see to your training and ensure ye become fierce Buchanan warriors to rival your ancestors. Be not sad or dispirited by our departure, for one day, we shall meet again. ~Your loving ma.
Eva’s voice cracked on the last words and she lowered her face so the lads couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. But when she raised her chin, she saw tears in theirs. “I am sorry that you lost her, your mother. She loved you.”
“Our ma would have liked ye, Milady, and would’ve thought ye good for our brother.”
Caden nodded at his brother’s sentiment. “Aye, he has changed since he returned with ye as his wife—for the better, Milady.”
Eva wondered how true this was. Had he changed? What did they see that she didn’t? “You are both so kind and I am grateful that you accept me. Now, let us leave this melancholy here at the table and we shall go outside. We have a few warm days remaining before it becomes cold. If you need something to do, you can help me. I intend to finish sorting through the items that I want to give to Master Amos.”
Eva didn’t bother to clean up the trenchers and foodstuff fromtheir midday fare. She’d see to it later when she prepared the late meal. She hurried to the back of the longhouse and approached the last cart that needed to be emptied.
Connor jumped atop the cart with her help when she boosted him. He pulled the tarp from over the items. “What are ye doing with the empty cart?”
“I was going to ask Aymer to give the last one to the Buchanan farmers. They probably could use another to carry crops and such. I do not need it.” She wondered if the farmers made good use of the other carts she had sent but Aymer hadn’t told her if he had even delivered them.
“Let me and Caden do that for ye, Milady,” Connor said. “Och, Breckin told us not to leave the longhouse since we are being punished.”
“I am certain he would understand that I sent you on the errand. And I see how excited you are to take the cart but you must promise, though, to return after you deliver it. You shall not dally or get distracted.”
Both lads nodded enthusiastically.
She absently perused the rest of the items until she came across another coffer. Eva was almost afraid to open it because she didn’t want more coins from her father. Breckin hadn’t accepted the first coffer and she’d put it in their bed chamber where it remained untouched. Once, she would have coveted having such wealth but now, the coins were useless to her. She had no need of exquisite garments or items for her home. She sighed at the memory of the joy it had once brought her—visiting the markets.
“What is that?” Caden asked and approached.
Eva opened it and peered into the deep wooden box. There was a layer of loose gemstones. She fingered the red, blue, and clear jewels in awe of their beauty. “I wonder how these got in here. My da often traded and must have received these in exchange for goods.”
“I have never seen so many gems, Milady. ’Tis a fortune there…” Connor said with admiration as he eyed them.
“Perhaps. I shall put these in a safe place until I can return them to my father.”
Caden scoffed. “Why would ye want to return them?”
“I do not really need gems here… No, I shall return them.” Eva tucked the small coffer beneath her arm. “I think that’s all there is. We shall take this last load to Master Amos and then you can ask Aymer where to take the cart.”
“I will drive the cart,” Connor said and hurried to attach the horse’s harness to the cart’s hitch. His leg must have continued to bother him, for he limped a little.
Caden groused and shoved his brother. “Och, ye drove the last one. ’Tis my turn.”
“Why do you not both drive it and take turns holding the reins? Now, come along and I shall walk ahead.” Eva didn’t wait for them to agree and hurried on the lane. She wanted to get the chore done and return before she had to ready supper.
Eva walked nimbly past the bridge and didn’t see Breckin on her trek. She passed the encampment of the ailing and reached the market in a short time. There, she found Master Amos and he greeted her with a grunt.
“Milady, I have barely any room left for all your items are taking up all the space. Ye bring more. Where shall I put it?”
