Yes. A short rest. Kes let Elia lead her to a feathered mattress in a small room, which was one of many in the servants’ house. She had nothing against being thought a servant. Her problem was with having servants in the first place.
The bed was surprisingly comfortable. It was nothing like her bed at home, but it wasn’t bad. Were all the servants’ beds like this?
“There now,” Elia said in soft, motherly voice while she tucked Kes in. “Do not let the earl frighten you. All will be well.”
The earl didn’t frighten Kes. He was the only thing in all this that didn’t.
All would be well. It had to be. Maybe she would wake up and this all would have been a dream. She didn’t remember falling asleep or worrying about anything before she did.
Chapter Four
Nicholas waited in the solar for Elia to bring Miss Locksley to him. He also ate supper there after his bath. Alone. It was how he liked it when he was home, especially tonight with the return of the last of his guard, men who’d fought with him on the field. Not all of them had returned.
Tonight especially, he needed to be away from all the noise and distraction of the supper table in the great hall where his cousin, Reg, and his family supped. Reg had already pulled him aside to ask him when he might spare another room to their family. Perhaps a separate room for Adele’s maid, Margaret. A room for Reg and Adele and four rooms for each of their children wasn’t enough. Adele complained that Margaret could not reach her quickly enough all the way in the servants’ quarters.
Since Reg and his family were only supposed to be here for a fortnight three months ago, Nicholas didn’t see any reason to encourage their desire to stay.
Nicholas didn’t have many friends or family. One of them had been his Yorkist king, Edward—and Edward’s two young sons. They were all gone now. He preferred to think of them as little as possible.
Nicholas reasoned that he wasn’t more decisive about his cousin living here because he wasn’t here that often. And because there certainly were enough rooms in the castle. There was even room on the grounds for a separate house for King Richard, who stayed here five months out of the year. Those were the worst times for Nicholas. The days when Richard was here.
Richard was King Edward’s younger brother. He wanted nothing more than to be king. Upon Edward’s death almost two years ago, Richard was given his wish. After that, hell ensued, and Nicholas’ heart was forever changed toward his king.
“Good evening, Nicholas,” Elia appeared at the door then stepped inside the solar. “Ah, I see you sewed yourself up again.”
He nodded. Not in the mood to hear her chastise him. “Where is our guest?”
“Miss Locksley is asleep—and most curious.”
“I know.” He got up and poured them drinks. Should he tell Elia? She was the only person he trusted. But this was too enormous and too mad to share with anyone. “Where did you take her?”
“To the servants’ quarters. What?” she asked in defense of his scowl. “You did not tell me otherwise.”
He closed his eyes. He was surprised she was sleeping instead of shouting for him throughout the castle.
“She seemed concerned at first. She claimed to be a historian.” Elia paused to smile at the thought of it. “She was quite afraid and tried to convince me of lightheartedness. Her speech is as odd as her clothes, her hair, everything! She had an answer for my questions, but she did not remember who the king was. Something is not right. Who is she?”
He shook his head. “I do not know.”
Elia narrowed her eyes on him. “She choked on her stew when I asked her where you met.”
Nicholas swigged his wine and set the cup down hard. He ran his fingers through his freshly cleaned hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Elia wasn’t going to let up.
“I found her on the battlefield. She had wandered onto it—”
“What?” She threw her hands to her chest. “Oh, Nicholas!”
“Aye. I know.” He nodded. “She looked terrified. I fought off a few Reds and tossed her over my shoulder. She does not remember much about her life. I believe she had been struck to the head. I tried to help her, but she refused me, so I left. But I returned and just in time to save her from six Reds out for evil. She has been through something. I do not want you to push her about what is was.”
“Poor, poor dear,” she agreed with a gentle smile. “Now, tell me what to do with her.”
“Have her brought to a room in the east wing and get her some clothes.”
“Is she going to be here indefinitely?”
It was a fair question. But the look he allowed to settle over her silently asked her to cease, for he had no answers.
“Very well, Nicky.” She stepped closer and patted his arm. “’Tis good to have you home. I will see you in the morning.”
Nicholas watched her leave. He thought about going to bed but when he left the solar, his feet took him to the servants’ quarters.
He didn’t know why he went, or what he would say to her. He should not have brought her here. If word of her spread, she would bring danger upon them. Especially if she ever met Richard and told him her story.
After questioning a few of the servants, he found her asleep in one of the rooms.
It seemed that tonight, he wouldn’t be saying anything.
He didn’t turn away from the door where he stood but watched her sleep for a little while longer. For a few of those moments, he let himself consider that she was telling the truth. That she traveled back here from the twenty-first century—as impossible as it was. Everything
