Page 3 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

“Mayhap I’ll just stay a single mother forever then,” answered Rachael with a shrug of her shoulders. She really couldn’t care less.

“And you think that is best for the boy?” Agnes gave her that all-knowing eye, saying without words that Rachael was acting addled again.

Rachael’s gaze went back to her son who was playing with the other children. He went to kick the ball and missed it completely, falling on his bottom end. All the other boys laughed. Sadly, Drew was not coordinated and had no skills whatsoever with weapons or fighting like the rest of the boys his age.

If her father had been here, he would have seen to raising the boy properly and even making him a page by now. But Rachael’s uncle took no interest in children, and didn’t even have any of his own. If he hadn’t hurt his leg in battle years ago, perhaps he’d be the one fighting overseas right now, and her father would be at home instead. She watched in sorrow as the other children made fun of Andrew and even kicked dirt in his face.

“Nay!” Rachael started to go after them to reprimand them, but Agnes grabbed her by the arm.

“You’ll only make it worse for the lad if you run to his rescue,” she said in a low voice. “You need to let him fend for himself.”

Rachael stilled, watching as the other boys picked up the ball and ran away, leaving her son sitting in the dirt by himself. Her heart broke to see this, and she honestly felt like crying. This wasn’t fair to Drew. All she wanted was for him to be happy, but she didn’t know how to help him anymore.

“Nay, I suppose it’s not best for him to stay here,” agreed Rachael sadly. “You are right. Drew needs a father to teach him to be a warrior and hopefully someday a knight.”

“Lady Rachael?” called out her uncle, Lord Stewart Bainard, from across the courtyard. “Oh, there you are. Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You need to get on the road anon.” Leaning on his crutch, Lord Stewart headed her way, walking as fast as he could with his bad leg.

“Uncle, I’m sorry,” she said as he came to join her. “I can’t leave yet because I still need to go confess my sins first.”

“Not anymore,” he said with a grunt, not looking at all happy.

“What do you mean?” she asked, feeling confused. They were very religious and she was sure her uncle wouldn’t even suggest she do anything against the church and its customs. Especially not during the holiest time of all – Easter. “I must go to church, Uncle. It is required.”

“Darling, over here,” called her uncle, waving down his wife. Lady Thomasina headed across the courtyard with a priest at her side.

“Uncle? What is this all about?” asked Rachael, knowing this couldn’t be good.

“Since you seem to be stalling, I’ve decided to bring the priest to you. That way, you’ll still have enough time to make it to Porth Enys in time to get married before Lent begins.”

“Oh, but that’s not proper,” she protested. “I couldn’t possibly confess my sins in the middle of the courtyard, Uncle.”

“You won’t have to, my dear.” Her uncle was smiling, so that meant her ploy was no longer working. “Father George has agreed to absolve all your sins without you having to confess them at all.”

“I don’t understand.” She shook her head, not knowing what the man was up to.

“He is right, my dear,” added Lady Thomasina. “This way, you can still make it to Porth Enys before midnight.”

“What?” Rachael was appalled. This wasn’t what she’d expected and not what she wanted at all.

“Go ahead, Father,” said Stewart with an outstretched arm.

“Aye,” said the priest with a nod, stepping in front of Rachael. He reached out and placed his hand atop her head. “I absolve you from all your sins, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. Go in peace, my dear, and spread the word of God.” He blessed himself, and then it was all over. Just like that!

When he turned to leave, Rachael saw her uncle palm the priest some money. It made her angry that he would stoop so low. She wondered if bribery was a sin as well.

“Let’s go, Drew,” she called to her son, knowing she had no other choice now. Her only hope would be to find another distraction along the way. Hopefully, her luck would hold out. Because if not, she’d be marrying the Lion of the South tonight, and that was something she could never accept.