Page 76 of Waking Roslyn

Roslyn

There had been those few minutes in the stable when he’d seemed like the warm and kind John of before, but as soon as I’d started to respond to that warmth, it had all gone away. It felt like a slap to the face, more painful than the blow delivered by Edmund.

So after yet another day of polite distance, I went out, and instead of staying on the Bridgefield grounds where John would be working, I took the path that led to Sutton Manor. It had been more than two months since John had introduced me to Emeline, Beatrice, and Cecily, and I was ashamed to say I’d never gone back on my own. I had wanted to, but I’d always talked myself out of going, convinced that it would be an imposition.

I had expected to have to knock on the kitchen door and hope to find Emeline or Cecily there. Instead I found them both outside, walking past the vegetable garden and toward the kitchen. Emeline had a tiny baby bound to her chest, and Cecily was child-free for the moment.

When they saw me coming, both waved and turned in my direction.

“You’ve finally returned to see us,” Cecily said. “We thought we had scared you off.”

“Not at all, I just didn’t want to intrude.” I tried to smile brightly back.

“No intrusion at all,” Emeline said as she bounced in place.

I smiled as I looked at the sleeping infant. “Boy or girl?”

“Boy.”

“He’s beautiful. I didn’t expect to see you both out here. Where are you coming from?”

“My home,” Cecily answered. “My husband and I live in a cottage at the edge of the woods.” She gestured off to her left. “Are you training with John?”

“No, I actually came to say hello to you all and perhaps get one of Emeline’s excellent pastries, but—” I gestured toward the baby, not sure if it would be insulting to insinuate that she might not be baking as much now that she had an infant.

Emeline just laughed. “Don’t worry, Miriam is helping me to keep up with the cooking.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, come along,” Cecily said, leading the way. “She’s likely finishing up a batch of bread about now.”

I gratefully fell into step beside them as we headed toward the kitchen.

“Do you like training any better?” Cecily asked. “I know you weren’t all that fond of it when you started.”

“It’s fine,” I answered.

Emeline chuckled. “That means no.”

Cecily pulled the door open and gestured for Emeline and me to go in. I stepped inside, enjoying the warmth that wrapped around me. Miriam was removing a loaf of bread from its pan. She looked up and smiled but did a double take when she saw me.

“Hello, Miss Rose.” She bobbed a curtsey.

“Hello, Miriam.”

“Did you know that Miriam is my husband’s sister, as well as a marvel in the kitchen?” Emeline asked as she leaned over to inhale the bread’s fragrance.

Miriam rolled her eyes. “I’m competent, but Emeline has all the talent.” She looked over at me. “You’re Lady Rockwell’s cousin, are you not?”

“Yes, though I’ve lived with her long enough that she feels more like a sister. Or, at least what I imagine a sister would feel like.”

“Choosing your family can be a wonderful gift,” Cecily said. “That’s what most of us have done.”

“Really?” I asked, sitting at the table with her. “Tell me.”

They were kind enough to oblige, and I sat in wonder as Emeline and Cecily told me how they’d each lost their families, and then explained the story of their time at Bridgefield and how they’d come to know Princess Marilee. They’d supported the princess when her husband had mistreated her. They’d stood by her and helped her rebuild her life once he was dead. After what John had told me, it was fascinating to hear the perspective of these women. They had been there to take care of her, and the princess had treated them like family ever since.

Miriam shared her history as well. She and her brother had run from a life of thievery, and she’d found her place among the staff here. I was envious by the end of it, both of their closeness with one another and their obvious respect and affection for Sir James and Princess Marilee. I had the sense that the comfort I found here wasn’t confined to the kitchen. It was simply the way this house was.