“This is a promise I feel confident in making,” Jeremy replied, cupping her cheek with his warm hand. “I know you’re worried and scared, but everything is going to be all right. You’ll see.”
Alys nodded again, overcome with emotion. She would need some time to sort through her feelings, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t happy. She hated to lie to Will and Bess and pretend to be a respectable married woman when she had no claim to such a title, but she would have a home of her own, keep her baby, and still have Jeremy’s love. He might tire of her in time, but he’d made a promise to look after her and their children, and she believed that he would. He was a man of his word.
Jeremy held out his hand and she took it, stepping outside. Peter looked at her anxiously, then smiled, correctly assuming that all was well.
“Shall we go tell yer brother our happy news?” he asked.
Alys nodded and allowed him to give her a leg up.
“I’ll see you both back at the house,” Jeremy said. “I have to speak to Master Gage.”
Alys watched as he rode away, leaving her and Peter to work out their story. “Why are you doing this, Peter?” she asked as soon as the two of them were alone.
“I have no interest in marriage,” Peter replied, smiling at her. She’d never paid him much mind, but she supposed he was a handsome man. In his late twenties, he was stocky and dark, with warm brown eyes and a lock of dark hair that fell into his face no matter how much he tried to brush it back. “If I can do my master a good turn, I see no reason not to. He’s always been good to me.”
“How much is he paying ye to rescue me from shame?”
“He’s paying me a fair sum, but it’s not about money,” Peter replied. “My needs are very basic.”
“But surely ye must benefit from this somehow,” Alys persisted.
“I have a widowed sister. I’ll be glad to be able to do something for her and her children. They’re the only family I have left. And it’ll be nice to have something put by for my old age. Ye can’t put a price on peace of mind.”
Alys smiled wryly. “I agree with ye there. Peace of mind would be most welcome right about now.”
Peter gave her a pitying look. “He loves ye, Alys. It’s plain to see. Many men turn their back on a woman once they’ve had their pleasure, but there are some as mate for life. Ye’re the one he loves, not that bitch his father has fettered him to.”
“Those are pretty words, Peter, but it’s that bitch who holds all the power over the man I adore.”
Peter shook his head. “She holds no power over him, and that’s what fuels her anger.”
“Ye seem to know an awful lot about yer master’s feelings, for a groom,” Alys said.
“I’ve been his groom these past eight years,” Peter said. “I know him as well as anyone.”
They arrived at the forge, and Peter went inside to speak to Will while Alys took the opportunity to visit with Bess.
Bess tilted her head and looked at Alys, her expression thoughtful. “So, when are ye due, then?” Bess asked, her gaze sliding over Alys’s middle.
“How did ye know?” Alys asked, the lump beneath her breastbone reappearing instantly.
“Come on, Alys, what sort of fool do ye take me for? On Sunday, ye visit Old Maude, and on Friday, ye announce ye’re to be wed. Just tell me this: did he force ye, or were ye willing?”
“He did not force me,” Alys replied softly.
“Do ye love him, this Peter? At least he’s doing right by ye,” Bess said, giving him his due.
“He’s a good man, and I trust him,” Alys said, avoiding the question.
“Well, I wish ye joy of each other,” Bess said. “Nice to know our children will be born within months of each other. We’ll be able to help each other if the need arises.”
“How do ye mean?” Alys asked.
“If the milk sours,” Bess explained. “One of us will be able to feed both babies.”
“Does such a thing happen often?” Alys asked. She hadn’t thought of anything beyond the possibility of keeping her baby, but now her hand went to her belly, as if she could feel the child there.
“From time to time,” Bess said with a shrug.
“What would cause such a thing?”
“Hunger. Illness. A curse,” Bess said, lowering her voice when she got to the last reason.
“A curse?”
“If someone curses ye, yer milk can dry up.”
I have much to learn about motherhood, Alys thought. “I wish my mother were still here,” she said wistfully.
“Don’t worry. We’ll see each other through,” Bess said, wrapping her arm around Alys. This was the most affectionate she’d ever been, and Alys felt a surge of hope. Maybe it would all turn out all right, like Jeremy had said. Everyone would accept her marriage to Peter, and her baby would have a loving family, even if everyone believed Peter to be its father.
Alys held Bess close, relief flooding through her. Suddenly, she felt like she had a future.
Journal Entry
Alys Bailey is to be married and will leave this house after Christmastide. I believe my Husband is besotted with her. I do not like to think of him slaking his lust on the wicked creature. I see the hand of the Devil in her flawless beauty. She was sent here to temp my Husband and test my Faith. Once again, the good Lord has seen fit to reward my Piety and remind my Husband of his place.
Chapter 55
Nicole
I sucked in my breath
