The Dark Days

Chapter Fifteen

 Druig walked me back to the edge of our garden before he left for the river. I wanted to kiss him again, and again, but his lips had begun to swell and I knew mine would be no different. I waited at the garden's edge for his silhouette to disappear completely before I headed for the front door. I couldn't have made the day more perfect even if I tried.

"He's left then?" Mama asked, she was drinking a steaming cup of tea by the kitchen table when I shut the door behind me.

"He has," I sat down next to her, "What do you think of him?"

"Handsome and a good head on his shoulders. But I should tell you that I sense a darkness in him." Her words were laced with caution. "He...acts a lot older than he looks. And his interaction with Lord Barrow...we weren't close enough to hear the exchange but the expression he wore was too serious for someone as young as he."

"I'll be careful, I promise."

"I looked at your Papa the way you look at Druig, you know." She smiled, her gaze unfocused. She was looking at her memories with Papa, "And that's where the similarities end. Your Papa sheltered me behind him, like I never had to worry because he'd always protect me. But Druig...he brings life into you."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Her eyes flitted to mine, "When your Papa died, it felt like we all went to sleep and fell into a monotonous daily routine, never quite breaking out of the stupor. We've all just acted and done things that ensured our survival. But lately, I've noticed a change in you, an excitement, a confidence, a defiance. And I couldn't place it until tonight. I watched you as much as I watched him, Jane. He woke you up."

There were tears in my eyes, tears in Mama's eyes as she held my hands in her own, "Do not let this one get away, okay? I don't think you'll find someone like him again."

"I'll do my be—" I was cut off by a banging on the front door. It was loud enough that in the time it took me to get up and open the door, a blurry-eyed Isaac and a confused Nana had joined us in the open kitchen.

Behind the door stood Lord Barrow and two men I failed to recognise. I pulled the door open wide enough for all three men to enter our home before Mama asked, "Lord Barrow? What brings you to our home at this late hour?"

"It's your daughter, I'm afraid." His words were flat as he towered over us.

"Me? What about me?" My head shot back as I frowned, deeply. I hadn't done anything to warrant this visit, this late. Even if someone had seen Druig and I fooling around amidst the trees, it wouldn't instigate a visit. He was more likely to bring it up at the next village meeting.

Lord Barrow ignored me, his focus was on Mama when he said, "Her name's come up quite a bit in the last few weeks, Beth, and it's not good."

"It never is, Lord Barrow. What seems to be said?" Mama folded her arms across her chest, "And I'd appreciate it if you included my daughter in any talks about her."

I smiled as I realised that Mama had woken up too. I stood tall at her right and Isaac, small as he was, stood as tall as he could at Mama's left.

"You've been seen engaging in sinful activity with the young man you brought to the wedding, for one. Down at the river."

I choked, my mouth flopping open. "I haven't done anything sinful. I go to the river to fish and partake in conversation on offer to me. Do you have evidence of this accusation?"

"A witness."

"Who—" that smirking red-headed child that had practically been attached to his hip all evening. "The redhead child that glued herself to your side all evening? I thought I saw a flash of red in the trees that one evening." She couldn't have been much older than Isaac.