Who should I start asking?
There were only two classes of people in the village, those who worked the land and those who took the provisions from the land and made things from it. Trees were chopped by the loggers and carpenters made slabs of wood. Cattle farmers gave the ready bulls to the butchers and cows to the milkmaids. That was how it worked in the village.
He needed to speak to four or six people from those tiers. He got to a tavern and stopped. It was early but the tavern was open as it had an inn at the back. He tied his horse to a hitching post and went up the three flat steps to the door and pushed it in.
The warm air of the tavern hit him like a slap in the face as he entered. It smelled like meat, baked bread, and ale. The smell of ale made him grimace when he remembered last night when he had broken his vow to not drink. It had taken a lot to push him to the point as the last time he had gotten drunk, he had almost killed himself.
Never again.
In the wide interior of the tavern’s main chamber, chairs were scatted around the brick fireplace. A few wenches were bustling through the room, serving trenchers and cups of ale to the patrons.
He nodded to a few and went directly to the barkeep who was leaning on the wide table with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes went wide when his and Leith’s made contact. He tugged his shirt down and hurried around. “Young Lenichton, good morning. Benjamin here, but ye can call me Bennie, how can I help ye?
“I just need a few words with ye,” Leith said. “May I sit?”
“Of course, of course,” Benjamin gestured to a barstool. “May I get ye a drink?”
“Nay, but thank ye for the offer,” Leith shook his head. “I need to ask ye, when me Faither nor I was able to be there, who helped ye?”
“Oh, that was Sirra Cooper,” Benjamin replied. “He came in when me roof was off and sent for help from the carpenters, gave me free wood to repair me roof. He sent for special liquor from Edina for me to serve to those who come from the city. He even gave me Mum a new bed.”
“And did he say anything about the lairdship?” Leith asked with trepidation tightening his chest.
“Nay, nay a word,” Benjamin replied. “He did mention that yer Faither, God help him, was ill, but naything more about the lairdship.”
After that statement, Leith did not know if he should be relieved or worried but could only settle somewhere between…and he hated it. He detested being stuck in the gray area. He would have much preferred plain black and white; was Cooper taking over or was he not?
* * *
There was a break in the kitchen, as the morning meal was over and there was little to wash. Mary had taken a cup of warm milk and ate crispy brown bread slathered with butter. She was in her corner of the room shelling peas for the dinner stew when she was called up.
“Mary, Lady Lenichton wants to see ye,” the cook said as she came over and took the basket away. “She’s in her rooms. I’ll take care of these, go see her.”
Nodding, she signed thank you and walked out to the stairs. She did not mind going to see the older woman as she felt Lady Lenichton did not have much company. She was not much of a companion either but what she could give, she would.
She knocked on the door and slipped inside when the permission to enter was granted. Lady Lenichton was sitting in the same chair she had seen her sit that day she had been asked to help in giving the Laird his meals.
“Mary, please sit,” Lady Lenicthon said and gestured to her. Her slim form was in a dark dress and her dark veil was on her head. Rheumy blue eyes were on hers. “How are ye doing?”
She signed that she was doing well and Lady Lenichton nodded as her eyes sharpened a little, “I ken ye dinnae have yer memory back but please try to remember as much back as ye can…were ye married before ye came here?”
What? Where is this coming from? She signed no.
“And ye never carried a babe?” Lady Lenicthon asked.
Her words were calm and even friendly but Mary began to feel violated. What right did this woman have to ask these things? She signed no.
“I only ask lass because yer so beautiful, I fear that some of our men have designs on ye,” Lady Lenicthon said kindheartedly. “Are ye planning on marrying dear? I have some outstanding men who I can personally vouch that they would marry ye and treat ye well. It would take ye away from this work that I ken is nay easy.”
What in the? …Is she trying to get rid of me, so…considerately?
Signing no, Mary waited for the woman’s response. Nothing crossed her thin face, no sign of disappointment or even surprise. Lady Lenicthon reached over and tapped her knee. “I understand, Mary, the very notion is a bit terrifying to any woman especially one who is as young as ye are. But me offer stands if ye decide in the future.”
No, thank you.
Forcing a hint of a smile on her, Mary sat as placidly as she could, but her mind was spinning like a wagon wheel. What was this? It was the best benign interrogation she had even been a part of. Mary felt that the questions were not asked in order to give help but were asked to find a fault to send her away.
Nevertheless, Lady Lenichton’s peaceful expression never wavered and Mary had to—begrudgingly—let her suspicions die.
“Thank ye for aiding
