Page 50 of May Queen: May Day

“I don’t know. He also called Lady Flora a bastard. He said she was conceived at the Beltane festival and that her parents weren’t married and her father is a Druid.”

“Nay, that can’t be true! Her father was Sir Oren Debenham, a knight.”

“Don’t get mad at me, I am just telling you what I know.” Nash raised his hands in mock surrender.

“Nash, go find this man named Mug and tell him he is relieved of his duties. Let him know I want him to leave anon and that I don’t want or need his help anymore.”

“But he cleaned out the disgusting gong pit yesterday, my lord. Can’t we at least wait until he dumps the cart of sludge in the woods? Plus, he’ll expect to get paid.”

“Do it,” growled Ricard, heading up to Flora’s chamber, knowing that when he got there, all hell was going to break loose.

* * *

“Then you talked to your father?”Albreda helped to lace the bodice of Flora’s gown.

“I did, Albreda.”

“Tell me what he said.”

“I will, but first, are you sure Lord Ricard didn’t suspect that I wasn’t really in my chamber?”

“Nay. I told him you were ill and sleeping.”

“Well, we need to think of something else so if his brothers tell him the truth, you won’t get in trouble.”

“Don’t worry about me, Lady Flora. I am an old woman. What can he really do to me?”

“Throw you in the dungeon? Behead you? Kill you? Oh, I am sick about this and wish I had thought things through before I left with his brothers.”

“I saw you go, and I did what I felt you’d want me to do,” said Albreda. “After all, I couldn’t have Lord Ricard going after you. I wanted to give you time to talk with Belenus.”

Flora’s head snapped up when she heard her father’s Druid name springing from her lips. “Albreda?” Her heart beat rapidly. “How do you know my father’s Druid name? I never told you. Did my mother mention it to you?”

Albreda let out a breath and shook her head sadly. “Nay, my lady, she did not. And I will not lie to you again. Your mother only made me promise not to tell you that your father was alive and a Druid. For that, I am sorry. I truly didn’t want to keep the secret from you for so long.”

“Then how did you know he is called Belenus if my mother didn’t tell you?”

“I know, because –”

A knock on the door kept Albreda from answering.

“Flora, open up!” It was Ricard and he sounded angry. He repeatedly pounded on the door in rapid succession.

“He knows,” Flora whispered to her handmaid.

“He was bound to find out sooner or later, my lady. I’d better open the door before he breaks it down.”

“Wait, Albreda. What were you going to say?”

“It can wait until later.” Albreda hurried over to the door and pulled it open. Ricard burst into the room.

“Where were you last evening?” He glared at Flora.

“Why do you ask?” Flora sat down on a chair to don her shoes.

“I want the truth and I want it now. I will not have residents in my castle lying to me. Especially not my betrothed.”

“It’s my fault, my lord,” said Albreda, stepping forward. “I was the one who lied, not Lady Flora. I am sorry. I should have told you the truth of her whereabouts.”