The Falls of Erith by Kathryn Le Veque Page A

is
gone.”
    “We
do not need more fabric,” she insisted. “What you have provided us is more than
generous. We are very grateful.”
    He
winked at her. “You must have a new garment for every day of the week. And I
think I shall purchase some jewels for you as well.”
    Gray
just stared at him.  “Jewels? What on earth would I do with them?’
    “Wear
them.”
    He
kissed her hand then, swiftly, hoping that no one would see. It was a sweet and
tender moment, however brief. But he was distracted by someone was calling his
name from the direction of the front gates and he turned to see Dallas
approach.  He discreetly let go of Gray’s hand as Dallas walked up.
    “My
lady,” the knight bowed to Gray before focusing on Braxton. “There is a small
party approaching from the south, my lord. Shall we send out riders?’
    “Indeed,”
Braxton nodded. “Are their banners evident?”
    Dallas
shook his head. “They are still too far out.”
    “Then
make haste to identify them. How much time until they are upon us?”
    “Less
than a half hour, my lord.”
    “Then
be gone.”
    Dallas
excused himself and was gone. Gray tucked strands of blowing hair behind her
ear, her expression one of concern.
    “What
does that mean?” she asked. “Who would be coming to Erith?”
    Braxton
had many different theories at that moment, most of which he would not verbalize. 
He remembered Brooke’s words to him the day he met her, how her Grandmother had
sent invitation to various Houses to vie for the girl’s hand. He didn’t know
what that particular thought popped into his head at the moment, but it did.
He’d very nearly forgotten about it. And, as Brooke had told him, Gray
apparently knew nothing about it. He just couldn’t imagine that she did simply
from her obvious attitude.
    Though
Braxton had seen little of Lady Constance since his arrival, he suspected the
time had come for him to better acquaint himself with the self-aggrandizing
woman.  Though he would love to have Gray all to himself, she came with a
daughter whom he was very fond of and a mother he was not.  If he was going to
declare his intentions to Gray, he would have to declare it to all of them. 
And part of his declaration would include setting matters straight between
himself and the arrogant Lady de Montfort. 
    “Do
not worry yourself,” he took her by the elbow and turned her in the direction
of the keep. “Go to your sewing now and I shall deal with these visitors.”
    “Though
I appreciate your offer, I am still the Lady of Erith,” she said, firmly but
politely. “This is still my keep, Braxton. I shall greet our visitors.”
    He
didn’t want to argue with her, but if the approaching party had something to do
with Lady de Montfort’s solicitation, he did not want her to be shocked.  The
party was less than a half hour off, which gave him little time to figure this
out.
    “Then
wait in the keep until they are upon us,” he said. “There is no need for you to
wait out here in the sun. Come inside and be comfortable.”
    That
produced the hoped for result; she walked with him into the keep. Once inside,
he left her in the solar with the sewing women and excused himself on a weak
pretext.  What he really intended to do was find Lady de Montfort.  A passing
servant told him where to find the woman.
    ***
     
     
    Braxton
figured out where all of the furnishings, beds, linens or other comforts in
Erith were kept. Upon entering Lady de Montfort’s chamber on the fourth floor
of the keep, it looked like a storage room. There were items everywhere. It was
rather a shock considering the sparse furnishings of the rest of Erith. It
immediately occurred to him that Lady de Montfort refused to give up anything
she believed herself entitled to, no matter what matter of poverty her daughter
and granddaughter lived in. Though the stuff lining her chamber was worn, it
had once been very fine. She needed her possessions to maintain the illusion
that