Page 44 of The Silent Songbird

“John Underhill and one of his servants. John owns all the land on the other side of the river and the entire village of Caversdown. He is Westley’s best friend.”

No wonder Westley had been angry.

After a few moments of silence, Nicola expelled a breath of air. “Why did you do it? Why did you pretend to be mute?”

“I was trying to make sure the man who wanted to marry me would not find me. It actually worked, for they came after me the first day after I escaped, but they thought I was mute.”

“I’m glad it worked. And I’m glad you can speak.”

“Thank you, Nicola. You have been kinder to me than anyone, and I hope I can repay your kindness someday.”

The next morning it was still dark as they walked toward the barn to milk the cows. Evangeline and Nicola entered the barn, found two short stools, and started milking. Or Nicola started milking.

“I’m squeezing but nothing’s coming out.” Evangeline spoke softly so as not to frighten the cow. She kept a wary eye on the heavy back hoof of the enormous animal.

“You have to squeeze and pull down,” Nicola said from the cow beside hers, “but gently, like you’re working your hands down the teat.”

Evangeline tried again. A tiny squirt of milk hit the bucket below. She closed her eyes and concentrated, resting her cheek against the soft, warm coat of the cow’s side, squeezing and running her hands in a downward motion again and again. More milk started to flowuntil she finally managed a mighty spurt of white liquid with each squeeze-pull. She was much slower than Nicola, but at least she was doing it. And the soft, fleshy teats did not hurt her open blisters the way the carding brush handles did.

Nicola milked two and a half cows before Evangeline’s cow ran out of milk.

“I’m sorry I’m making you do more work since I’m so slow.”

“You caught on fast, and you’ll be as fast as me in a few days.”

“You are very generous to say so.” Evangeline picked up her full bucket and carried it to the door of the barn.

When Nicola finished the fourth cow, she took up two of the buckets and Evangeline picked up Nicola’s other one, and they walked toward the kitchen. Even if she was a lot slower than Nicola, her chest filled with air at the bucket full of milk in her hand.

The sun was just brightening the sky. Halfway to the kitchen, Evangeline saw Sabina coming toward them. Just behind Sabina strode Reeve Folsham and Westley, heading toward the fields.

“Nicola and Eva! Up and working so early this morning,” Sabina exclaimed, breaking the hush of the semidarkness.

“What are you doing up so early, Sabina?” Nicola asked her.

Sabina smiled, looking up at the sky. “My father sent me to borrow some eggs.”

Just as Sabina reached them, she stuck out her foot and tripped Evangeline.

Evangeline stumbled and cried out, struggling to hang on to the milk and not fall on her face. She landed on her knees on the hard ground. Milk sloshed from the buckets, but she managed to keep them upright.

Reeve Folsham was suddenly at her side, Westley hurrying to her other side. Together they helped her to her feet as she kept hold of the buckets.

“Are you hurt?” Westley asked her.

“No.” She hid her grimace of pain as she put her weight on her knee.

“Are you injured?” Sabina pretended to look concerned as she leaned close to Evangeline’s face. “That looked like a hard fall.”

Evangeline drew herself up and ignored her.

Reeve Folsham stared.

Sabina faced him. “You may have noticed that Eva screamed and spoke. It seems she can talk after all. Isn’t that right, Eva? I’m sure everyone will be so pleased that you can talk.”

Nicola was giving her a look of sympathy, and Evangeline felt rather than saw the others staring at her. She hurried on toward the house.

She blinked back tears—more of rage at Sabina than of pain in her knee, which was slowly fading.