Chapter Five

“Lamorna.”

She froze at the sound of her father’s voice, the spoonful of oats caught midway between bowl and her mouth.

“I’ve been thinking,” said Logan, “while Daroth is here, you can be out more.”

“What?” she said softly.

“Be with your friends but only when Daroth is with you. And only after you have finished your chores.”

Lamorna stared at him, still unable to believe what she’d just heard. A slow smile widened her mouth. “Oh, Papa. Really? I can go out of the village?”

Smiling, he nodded then exclaimed and laughed when she jumped up and hugged him. “My girl,” he whispered.

“Thank you, Papa. Thank you.”

“Remember, only when Daroth is with you. You are not to be out without him.”

A small price to pay, she thought, still grinning as she nodded.

“But you are not to be alone with him,” said Reena. “It would not be seemly to do so before marriage.”

Lamorna kept nodding, careful not to show her distaste at the mention of ‘marriage’; she was not going to do or say anything to risk losing this unexpected gift.

*                      *                      *                      *

“There, Mistress Reena, it is done.” Daroth placed the three-legged stool by the door.

“Thank you, Daroth.” Reena’s smile faded as she tried to lean over but her belly would not allow it; a huff of impatience escaped her.

“Allow me.” Daroth sat on the stool, rocking his body slightly back and forth. “Sturdy enough?”

Her smile returned. “Yes, thank you. We’re not in any danger of that leg falling off. One less thing for Logan to do. You are kind–”

“No, no.” He held up his hand as he stood. “It was no trouble, Mistress, and I had the time to repair it.”

Reena turned and smiled at Lamorna; her eyes wide, she tilted her head slightly towards Daroth.

Lamorna paused and frowned, unsure of her mother’s actions. This was the second day Daroth had come to their house to accompany Lamorna so she could be with her friends. The second day he’d made himself useful, tackling a job that would have been left for Logan. And it was the second day Lamorna had been left bemused by her mother’s strange behaviour.

Reena raised her brows and smiled even wider. When her daughter continued to frown, she shook her head and sighed. “Have you finished?”

“Yes. Can I go?”

Reena nodded. “And remember–”

“Yes, yes.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t be on my own and don’t be alone with him.”

*                      *                      *                      *

Lamorna had to stop herself running ahead. It was only when she’d been allowed time with her friends did she realise just how much she’d missed her previous freedom.

“Your friends are kind to allow me to join in their company,” said Daroth.

“Do you spend time like this with your friends at your home?”

He shook his head. “There aren’t many my age, more my sister’s age.”

She thought his smile seemed sad. “I forget, how old is she?”

“Eight.”

“Do you like having a little sister?”

Daroth’s smile broadened. “It is hard not to like Miri; she is so full of love.”

“I cannot wait for Mam to have the baby.” Lamorna skipped forward a few steps.

“Do you want a brother or sister?”

She stopped and turned to him. “I don’t know. I am certain I want a sister then, come another day, I am praying for a brother.”

He laughed. “I didn’t even think about it before Miri was born.”

Someone calling out to Lamorna interrupted them.

“Janina. I thought you’d be with the others.”

“My chores took longer today.” The taller, slightly built girl grasped Lamorna’s outstretched hand and glanced at Daroth, smiling and nodding a greeting.

They walked a couple of steps ahead, talking softly.

“Lamy! Lamy.”

An identical pair of young boys detached themselves from the group of youngsters gathered by the trees and ran towards Lamorna. She’d helped look after them when they were babies and their mutual fondness had only grown.

“Come and see, come and see what we found.” They grabbed her by the hands. “Hello, Janina, hello, Daroth.” Not giving anyone a chance to say anything, they pulled Lamorna along.

She looked back in mock horror and, both, Janina and Daroth laughed. As they neared the tree, Lamorna looked back again; Janina and Daroth were conversing as they walked. She smiled and it occurred to her then how thoughtful Daroth was, taking the time to talk to her friend and not leave her to walk alone. Unlike his father.

Lamorna had already decided she did not like Elford and the way he seemed to look down on her parents; she did not like the way her parents acted submissively around him. It troubled her, the thought of having him for a father-in-law, and worried that Daroth’s mother, whom she had only met once, would not like her.

*                      *                      *                      *

Lamorna straightened up from where she’d been gathering leaves.

“That should be enough, I think,” said Daroth as he walked towards her, holding a handful of small sticks.

She looked at the broad leaves grasped in her hand then glanced to the side. “Oh, one more,” she said, stooping to pick up the perfectly formed leaf.

Taking the leaves from her, he made his way to the stream where most of the young people were.

Lamorna joined the other girls who were sat a little distance from the stream and watched as Daroth helped the younger children make boats out of sticks and leaves. Closing her eyes, she tilted her face up as a gentle breeze washed over her.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw Janina crouched by the water’s edge, helping her younger sister place her small boat on the water. As Daroth handed her a long stick to push the boat further out, he said something that caused Janina to laugh.

The sound of her friend’s laughter brought a smile to Lamorna’s face.

“Does that not bother you?”

Still smiling, Lamorna turned to Ella. “What do you mean?”

“It seems to me that Daroth is spending more time with Janina–”

“It does not seem that way to me,” she said, her smile fading.

Ella stared at her before shrugging and looking away. “Oh...”

“What is it? Why do you look at me like that?”

Sighing heavily, Ella shook her head. “You are far too trusting.”

“Maybe it is because you are still young,” said another.

“Why are you trying to make trouble where there is none?” Without waiting for a reply, Lamorna stood and walked briskly to where Daroth and Janina were.

She was almost upon them when Daroth leapt to his feet. “Ah. Lamorna.”

As she glanced at Janina and her flushed cheeks, wondering why her friend seemed to be avoiding her gaze, Lamorna realised Daroth was also doing the same thing. She failed to stop herself stealing a look back at Ella who was slowly shaking her head.

*                      *                      *                      *

“Come along, boy.” Elford had remained on his horse as Daroth finished saying farewell to Lamorna and her parents.

“Yes, Father. Farewell, Master Logan and Mistress.” Fiddling with his horse’s reins, he glanced at Reena’s rounded belly.

She smiled. “I hope we will see you again soon, Daroth. Safe journey.”

He let out a huge breath and returned her smile before turning to Lamorna. After a moment, he hooked the reins around his arm and took hold of her hands.

It was only her parents’ presence that stopped her snatching her hands away. “Goodbye,” was all she said as she remained staring at the ground.

“Goodbye, Lamorna...”

His uncertain tone almost made her relent and look up. But she only raised her gaze when the horses started to walk away. Daroth turned in the saddle and raised his hand to wave, but she quickly turned away.

“Lamorna,” said Reena, frowning at her daughter.

“I have chores.” She disappeared into the house. There was nothing to be said for she knew her parents would not want to hear how much she now resented having to marry Daroth; that she wondered if he preferred Janina to her but had been too afraid to ask... that she no longer liked the way he made her feel – filled with both longing and gut-wrenching anxiety.