Page 14 of Waking Roslyn

“No. Lord Rockwell simply prefers the new wing.”

“Well, thank you for letting me know. I’m Rose.”

“Of course, Miss Rose,” she said, dipping into a curtsey. “It’s an honor to have you here at Bridgefield. My name is Jeanie. I’m the cook here.”

“So I have you to thank for all the lovely meals.”

She grinned, seeming very pleased at the simple compliment. “Yes, my lady. Glad they’re to your liking.”

“Well, I won’t keep you,” I said, positive that she had plans for the vegetables she was carrying that didn’t involve being waylaid by me. I went down the steps. “I’m certain there is plenty more to explore.”

“Of course, Miss Rose.” She dipped another little curtsey and went on her way.

My eyes were drawn back to the large door that was locked tight. The disappointment I felt surprised me. Did it really matter what the other half of this manor looked like? I supposed not.

I turned away from the towering wall and looked toward the trees. I would enjoy a stroll through the woods. And if I happened to come across the servants who had mysteriously disappeared into them less than an hour ago, well then, that was all the better. I’d always felt more at ease around servants anyway. I’d never been hurt by a servant.

When I reached the stream, I nearly lost my nerve. Lisette had mentioned that the stream separated Bridgefield land from Sutton land. If I crossed it, I would be intruding on someone else’s property.

I studied the stream in front of me and then looked down at my dress. There was no way that I could cross without drenching my hem.

Instead of retreating in defeat, I turned to walk along the bank of the stream. I could enjoy a walk regardless, but my eyes were also looking ahead, hoping to find a spot that was crossable. Several starlings chirped angrily at me from up in the trees. “Oh hush,” I chastised. “If I am going to be living here for the foreseeable future, I have every right to explore my surroundings.” It was ridiculous to defend myself to birds, but it made me feel better anyway. “I am not doing anything wrong.”

A robin joined in the conversation with a much friendlier tweet than the starlings. “You see? She agrees with me,” I said with a wave at the robin.

One of the starlings gave a final reprimand and then flew back to where it had come from. I smiled, amused by the conversation.

A few minutes later, I found a footpath that ran right into the stream and continued on the other side. It wasn’t difficult to see why. A collection of stones had been strategically placed in the water to create an easy crossing. I bit my lip in triumph. The starlings didn’t know what they were talking about. The footpath was clearly meant to be used, so I gathered my skirts and made my way from rock to rock across the stream.

I continued along the path and the trees thinned. Eventually, the steady clack of wood striking wood reached my ears. I approached tentatively, not wanting to spy or intrude, but desperately curious.

The people came into view at the same time as the manor did. Apparently, I’d walked all the way to the neighbor’s home. And in a clearing between the edge of the woods and an impressive garden, a group of young people gathered. Or, mostly young people. One man, who appeared to be in charge, was demonstrating something with a sword to the four or five young people around him. A little farther off, two men were squaring off, one with a wooden staff and the other with a sword. I didn’t know much about fighting, but it seemed clear that both were capable. The man wielding the staff was tall and broad. If I were to guess, I would say this young man was the one I’d encountered last night. I expected their bout to be short-lived since his sheer size alone was giving him an advantage. But as they sparred, I was impressed with how obviously well-trained the man with the sword was. I wondered if perhaps he was a soldier.

When my eyes shifted back to the group, the man in charge was having the gathering of young people thrust with their swords. As I looked on, I realized that two of the students were girls.

I remembered the little bit of conversation I’d heard in the woods. This must be what they’d meant by training. I wondered what possessed a group of servants to gather around and learn the sword?

At first, I thought perhaps it was something forced on them. But as I continued to watch, that thought faded. These young people were enjoying themselves, and my curiosity only increased.

John

Parry, attack, parry, attack, attack, attack. The rhythm of my staff hitting against the wooden practice sword in Tyson’s hands was familiar and strangely soothing. I enjoyed the work I did to improve the grounds of Bridgefield, but the training ground we’d claimed at Sutton Manor was where my heart lay. The stretch and tension of muscle, the challenge to my reflexes, trying to think three moves ahead but still react to any unexpected attack.

“Gads, John. Ease up,” Tyson said as he narrowly avoided an encounter with my staff.

“Sorry,” I replied, automatically taking a few steps back as I adjusted my grip on my staff. I’d been too much in my head and had gotten carried away with my attack pattern.

“You know I can’t hold up as well as Marcus or Falstone,” Tyson reminded me as he shook out the hand that had been holding his sword.

I pointed my staff at him. “Don’t underestimate yourself.”

He snorted. “I’m not. I just don’t want you to forget who you’re fighting and take off my head.”

I grinned at him. “No guarantees.” I twirled my staff in front of me, then to the side, before spinning it behind my back, all in quick succession. Then I took one step back and fell into a fighting stance. “Ready to go again?”

He rolled his eyes, not impressed by my showing off. “Give me a minute,” he said and went to grab his pouch of water.

I leaned on my staff and waited for him, my eyes flicking to my surroundings. I was good at fighting, but lately Falstone had been encouraging me to be more watchful and vigilant as well. He wanted me to see the danger before it came. Prevent instead of react. “Constantly observe” was his new mantra.