The Eternal Shadow

Chapter 52

LII

"Pattern for embroiderin'?"

The girl sweeping the yard at Locksley was looking at Francesca as if she had two heads.

"Err... yes; it's for a wedding gift you see... I was hoping to have it done in time, but my friend can't even get started without patterns."

Francesca gave her a moment to get with the program but she looked more lost than ever. Then again, Francesca could understand that in the bustle of getting the house ready for its new mistress, the request might seem a bit of a strange one.

The longer the girl stared frowning, the sillier Francesca felt. She was beginning to wish she hadn't bothered. She certainly hadn't reckoned with the adventures she'd been having in the name of a wedding gift.

Thankfully, she didn't have to squirm under the girl's gaze for long, for another servant came to her rescue.

"Good day milady, can I help you?"

It was an older man, probably the same age as her father, Francesca guessed, but despite having an air of authority about him, he looked kind and this helped her with her unease. That was until he got a better look at her and then for some reason his demeanour changed.

She introduced herself regardless and explained the purpose of her visit, as he studied her with an intensity she could hardly stand. She was about to ask him what his problem was but never got the chance...

"Good Day Lady Francesca, is there something we can do for you?"

Normally she adored that voice.

Normally.

But not now and not in that tone.

She shrank in upon herself and slowly turned to face the master of the house, trying for the life of her not to look guilty.

To no avail. Guy could read her like a book. That she had not planned with his arrival was clear and that made him very suspicious indeed.

"Well?" He stalked towards her, an expectant look upon his stern face and Francesca floundered – she'd never been a good liar and had no explanation for her visit that would not give away her gift so she remained silent, tugging nervously at the scarves hidden behind her back.

Guy shot a questioning look at the servant, who shrugged and thankfully did not give the game away before dismissing himself whilst muttering about how there was "much to be done so he better be getting on with it."

Guy sized her up, noticing she had something behind her back and with a voice somewhere in the region of subarctic asked her what she was hiding.

She backed away from him, squirming and shaking her head, "T'is nothing."

"Show it to me."

"Please Guy."

He closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, trying to control his emotions. On the one hand, he was angrier than he thought he ever could be with her: this strange behaviour of hers brought out the worst of his suspicious, insecure tendencies and made him all too ready to assume that this was part of some sort of betrayal. On the other, her voice was like a bucket of cold water over the fire of his anger – he didn't want to cause her distress, to make her plead with him like this and yet he needed to know what this was about.

"Show me."

Francesca hung her head. It was time to give up. She made a mental note to never go to so much trouble again before reluctantly complying with Guy's request.