Page 62 of Lord of Misrule

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I wish I did. Actually, I wish we could find the thief who set my place on fire. Lord Tolin said he’d be punished. Mayhap even killed for what he did.”

“Oh, Kit, no. No one deserves to be killed. Do they?”

“That’s an odd thing for you to say. I thought you’d be more adamant about having the man who ruined my life punished for his actions.”

Vivian wrapped her arms around her and looked to the ground.

“Vivian? What is it?” asked Kit.

“Kit, I’m not sure how to say this, but I think you need to hear it.”

“Hear what?” Kit became impatient. “Tell me if you know something.”

“It has to do with the man who caught your place on fire.”

“Do you know who it is? Tell me. I need to find out. He needs to be punished.”

“I’m afraid to tell you.”

“Why? What does that mean? Please, Vivian.” She laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I need to know. I deserve to know.”

“Yes, I suppose you do.” Vivian sniffled and then continued. “It was Willis, but it was an accident, I swear.”

“Willis did this?” Kit pulled back her hand. She felt in shock to hear that Vivian’s husband could do such a horrible thing to her. “I know he thinks Parker is a thief and doesn’t want you by me, but this is going too far.”

“It’s not what you think, Kit. Honest, it’s not.”

“Then why don’t you tell me exactly what it is.” Kit was so furious that she felt like marching over to Willis and strangling him right now.

“He did it for me.”

“That makes no sense.”

“He wanted me to have some fresh bread for Christmas but you weren’t here to bake it. I told him I didn’t need it, but he insisted. He came here one night to try to bake it himself. But I guess he fell asleep. He’s been so tired from working so hard lately. The candle fell over and then the bread burned, catching the place on fire. He was lucky to wake in time to escape without being burnt. He was the one to awaken the townsfolk, trying to put out the flames but he was too late. Can you ever forgive him?”

“I don’t know what to say.” Kit was so angry that she couldn’t even look at the girl. “How can I forgive something like this? Accident or not, the man has ruined my life!” Kit picked up the broom and started sweeping the floor.

“It wasn’t his intention to hurt you. Plus, he only did it for me. So I could have fresh bread.”

Kit let out a puff of air. “When has Willis ever done anything just for you? Why was this time so important that he couldn’t wait until I returned?”

“It was going to be a Christmas present for me since we are struggling and he couldn’t afford anything else. He has been trying to save money. For our family to live on.”

“What family? It is only the two of you. I have three others besides myself to support and feed. Now, because of him, all I have is this.” She looked over her shoulder and nodded at the rubble and continued to sweep.

“I’m pregnant,” came Vivian’s soft voice from behind her.

“What?” Kit stopped her sweeping and slowly turned around. “But you’ve been married for a while now and have had no children.”

“We didn’t think we ever would,” admitted Vivian. “After all, my brother Gerold never had children.”

“But your brother Crispin did. Parker,” she reminded the girl.

Tears filled Vivian’s eyes. Her hands went to her belly. “I am not even sure I will be able to carry this baby. I have been feeling ill lately.”

Kit’s heart softened for the girl. She didn’t want to forgive Willis, but she realized now his reason for breaking into her bakery. This baby that Vivian carried gave the two of them new hope. She couldn’t take that from them, no matter how much she was hurting.

“I forgive Willis,” said Kit, putting down the broom and giving Vivian a big hug. Over the girl’s shoulder she saw Willis appear from the shadows.

“I am so sorry, Kit,” said the man, looking like he truly meant it. “I haven’t been very kind to you and now I am the cause of all your misery. Thank you for saying you forgive me. Even if I do not deserve it.”

“Everyone needs forgiving at some time or another in their lives,” said Kit, walking over and hugging the man as well.

“I will do whatever I can to help you and your family,” Willis promised.

“Thank you,” whispered Kit with tears in her eyes.

“If you forgave Willis, then will you forgive Lord Tolin as well?” she heard Vivian ask from behind her.

The question made Kit’s insides twist into a knot. How could she forgive Tolin for using her and making her feel like a fool?

“I don’t know,” said Kit softly. “Mayhap everyone doesn’t deserve forgiveness after all.”