A Brother's Love - Book 3 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Thirty

Winter's soft white coats had been donned everywhere outdoors before the father joined his family in the small hall. This winter seemed colder than any other; it was the first time ever that the moat froze over, much of the ice remaining all day long.

Shepherd John, Jane, and the five children were living here for the winter and now shared their meals with the family in the small hall.

To Louis' surprise, the first day he sat in the family room since his return, two women and one man personally attended them as well as Sabin. Only one face had the baron seen before, but he couldn't put a name to her.

"Remember Josie, my lord?" Elissa prompted as the women curtsied. She then said, "Josie says she has returned home for good. And this is Josie's sister, Amelia."

Turning to a thin, but handsome young man, the baroness paused while he bowed, and then introduced him, "This is Tod, Amelia's husband. They have one child, almost a year old, and they wish to make their home in Chanoine and adopt three of the orphans."

It was known that the shepherd's wife was very sick and had requested that the children be placed in family homes as soon as possible. Shepherd John feared she would not last out the long winter.

"So, Tod, is it? And Amelia; I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," Louis said, smiling and acknowledged the new couple.

"Actually, Sir, it's Thorbautod but Tod is easier to remember." Tod smiled at Chatelain, adding, "I'm so pleased to be here, Sir. As I told your wife, Lady Elissa, we're at your service until we find a house. We agree with the Book; one must earn his keep. Idleness is a sin." The words were spoken with fervent smoothness and like all others, Louis thought Tod to be the perfect gentleman. His elocution and carriage was that of a servant of great standing. His references to the Book meant that he was a friend and brother.

Elissa smiled at the children and said, "Tod wants to adopt the boys, Donnie, Mark and Simon."

"Shepherd John and Jane will have just the two smallest, Catherine and Sam," Jobyna said, happily.

Jane's health was so very poorly now, but now they were living in the Manor House, the two children would have others to care for them and Jobyna already loved them as if they were direct family.

How lovely to have our father with us tonight, Jobyna mused; I love to see him smile. He looks so much better, and much younger.

At the master's request, Sabin had shaved off the baron's beard and moustache.

Jobyna had declared, "It makes you look hundreds of years younger! You look like your own son!"

Luke gave a potent protest, "And who do I look like? My father's grandson?" They all laughed, except Louis, who smiled broadly. He found the luxury of laughter still hurt his ribs too much. Time on the rack had damaged tendons and nerves that were only just now recovering.

~~~~~

Winter that year was a mixture of joy and pain. The first great sorrow was Catherine's death. She had weathered the plague and her robust strength had spoken of long life. One night she was struck down with a violent pain in the right side of her stomach.

After two days of fever and agony, she vomited many times, and the ailment had seemed to clear. Ivan had seen such illness before and he feared for the child's life. Catherine's color was strange and before long, the pain returned, much more intense. Her body was wracked with cramps. Less than four days from the time she had taken sick, Catherine died.

Everyone held their breaths, wondering if the sickness Catherine had been struck down with would be passed on to others in the house. Ivan was sure her condition wasn't contagious but diagnosed it as a poisoning of the stomach, associated with the simpler form, gripe.