Kale: The Dryad Chronicles, page 6
“You bragging on beating up some poor man is what you did wrong,” Emma said as she tried to yank away.
“My sister is a uh, healer,” Mary stumbled. “She doesn't like hearing about anyone getting an uh, injury.”
“It was just a thieving goat man,” Toby said. “There is plenty of grass and weeds and things for it to eat. If it wants something else, there are a lot of fat caterpillars lying around with beetles and such this time of year.”
“Let me go!” Emma screamed as she finally jerked her arm away and freed herself. “I am not just some girl you can manhandle no matter how charming you think you are!”
“Emma, you are making a scene,” Mary said.
“I am not manhandling you,” Toby said as he backed up.
“Then stop touching me!” Emma snapped as she pushed between Toby and Gerald.
“My sister doesn't like to be touched,” Mary said. “I will see you later Thomas.”
“Bye Mary,” Thomas said as Mary walked by.
“Why didn't you stop Lacy and drag her back instead of me?” Emma said loudly. “I told you I want nothing to do with that man! Did you care? Not even when he was grabbing all over me you stood there like you didn't see a thing.”
“It wasn't that bad,” Mary said. “He was just being friendly. At least Lacy Luberon got taken down a notch. I bet she is going to be on her balcony next to ours and rage about the stupid watchmen because she didn't get the one she wanted. You don't have to go to her room, we can talk freely with her if we go to ours.”
Emma followed Mary up the stairs and had to admit that she liked the room. It had two decent sized beds, a table and a wardrobe. It had a door leading to the balcony where a table and three small chairs were. Emma sat down at one and still thought the watchmen were too close. They had spotted their group instantly and were whispering to each other. Emma would just walk away if they came to talk. Now that she wasn't directly around them, it would be easy to. The watchmen eventually walked away when a grand carriage came through the square. Emma thought it was the nicest thing she had ever seen. It was driven by four stout horses and stopped in front of the healers. Lord Trevor climbed out of the carriage, his blond hair was perfect as always and he wore a soft blue outfit that set off his baby blue eyes. He carried a large bouquet of daisies. Emma was so transfixed that she didn't say anything when he walked into the Healers. A few moments later he walked out and went over to the restaurant she had just left. The waiter who was going to take the girls drinks walked out and pointed, almost directly at Emma who ducked inside before she could be seen.
“Lady Mary,” Emma could hear Lord Trevor’s voice say. “I hear there is a beautiful healer in the square that fits the description of your sister.”
“Are those flowers for me?” Lacy asked. “They would go with my dress and ribbon.”
“They are for Lady Emma, Lady Lacy,” Lord Trevor replied.
“You remembered my name!” Lacy said pleased with herself.
“Hello Lord Trevor,” Erica said. “It is too hot out here to be coy. You really like Emma?”
“She is positively bewitching,” Lord Trevor said. “The fact that she was out here healing people when she had no need to means she is the girl for me. Rich with a kind heart.”
“What do I get if I tell you where she is and how to find her?” Erica asked. “You have never invited any of us to your noble parties. I know you simply must know a man that is interested in a rich girl even if she is not a noble.”
“I wouldn't presume to know the whims of my friends and associates,” Lord Trevor said. “But I am having a party and all of you are invited, if you can get Lady Emma to come.”
“She will be there!” Mary said as she reached into the room and yanked Emma out.
“Lady Emma!” Lord Trevor said. “You are the new girl healer I heard about in the square. I brought you flowers.”
“They are lovely,” Emma replied.
“I was on my way to see you to invite you personally to a party,” Lord Trevor said. “I know I was expected later on tonight but I have business dealings to look after. I hear you gave your services for practically free. I own an orphanage and it would be nice if you can come see the kids and fix anything that may be wrong with them. I can show you around my family’s estate as well. I have a smaller estate built that I think you would like and you can meet my parents.”
“I don't know if my parents would let me go to something like that,” Emma replied.
“They are invited,” Lord Trevor replied. “The only thing I need to hear you say is yes.”
CHAPTER 6
EMMA
“That is a nasty scratch Earl,” Emma said as she wiped the wound clean from the grimacing boy. “I know this hurts but I have to clean it before I dress it. You are lucky healer Chancer let me take some things to see about you.”
“He is a boy, Lady Emma,” Lord Trevor teased. “They run into things.”
“Thank you Lady Emma,” Earl said as she bandaged his wound.
“I am no lady,” Emma replied. “You can just call me Emma.”
“Lord Trevor looks like he likes you,” Earl said. “You better watch out Lord Trevor. Girls like to kiss on you and give you the zorks.”
“The zorks?” Emma asked as she barely controlled her laughter.
“Girls like to kiss on you and when they do, you get the zorks,” Earl said. “It takes over your mind and make you want to kiss on them some more instead of playing ball with your friends. Gracie tried to give me the zorks but I am just too fast for her to catch.”
“Well I will watch out for the zorks,” Lord Trevor mused. “Thanks for warning me Earl.”
“No problem Lord Trevor,” Earl said as he went skipping away.
“You are shameless,” Emma laughed.
“Now, now,” Lord Trevor said laughing. “Don't get too close to me Lady Emma, I wouldn't want to catch the zorks.”
“Whatever,” Emma smiled.
“It is beautiful to see a smile on your face,” Lord Trevor said. “I am glad your parents let you travel early. I hear you are a kind soul. I am trying to show off a bit and pull out all the stops to impress you. How am I doing?”
“You are taking care of poor children,” Emma said as she looked at Lord Trevor with pride. “Before we came here, you took me to one of your kitchens to feed the poor. I don't know how much money that costs but you are doing it practically for free. Well not free to you, you pay for the food, the cooks, the building and the furniture.”
“It is the job of nobles to see to the lower class,” Lord Trevor said. “So I am doing okay in my attempts to woo you?”
“I say you were doing perfectly,” Emma replied.
“That is good to hear considering all of the people that will be at this party,” Lord Trevor said. “I know many of these lads will take a look at you and just melt. Such a sweet kind woman with a penchant for healing people. You are so modest compared to most of the girls that will be there. You have money without flaunting it around. I cannot wait for you to meet my parents. They have heard alot about you and I am a little nervous.”
“Nervous?” Emma asked.
“They had plans for me to marry Tiffany,” Lord Trevor said. “Duke Charley’s fourth daughter. She is as self absorbed and horrid as you are simple and caring. She would see something like my orphanage as a waste of money and demand all of these children be put to work in the fields instead of me spending money on their educations and trades.”
“You give them a trade?” Emma asked surprised.
“Well unlike you, they have no one to look after them when they reach maturity,” Lord Trevor said.
“I am shocked at how good your heart is,” Emma replied. “I do not think this day can get any more perfect. Well maybe a tiny bit.”
“How can I make it perfect for you?” Lord Trevor asked.
“You can't,” Emma said. “I wish my parents were at home so I didn't have to be around them.”
“It is natural to be irritated with our parents as we grow older,” Lord Trevor said. “This is not me calling you a child, just me remembering how I was at fifteen. It gets easier once you are an adult and able to take care of yourself. Me living in another home has also helped out tremendously.”
“I don't think it will be fixed with space but thank you for the kind words,” Emma replied.
“Well I think I shouldn't put this off any longer,” Lord Trevor said. “My mother wants to have lunch with you. She knows I am with you and she is more than a little disappointed that I did not choose her pick.”
Emma just smiled despite being nervous. Lord Trevor was everything she could have asked for and more. He was handsome, he was rich, he was powerful and most importantly he had a kind heart. Emma smiled thinking about these things as she got into the carriage. Lord Trevor had blushed the few times she caught him staring, Emma knew she had him. He was just as enamored with her as she was with him. Mary was right when she said that Emma wouldn't be traveling to Jarlan. Emma rolled her eyes thinking about the nation.
“I want to know what you are on about,” Lord Trevor asked. “I am a bit nervous, I don't mind sharing that with you. I need something to keep my mind off of things.”
“I was laughing at a plan of mine to go practice medicine in Jarlan,” Emma said.
“Jarlan?” Lord Trevor said as an angry look crossed his face. “I know it doesn't mean anything to you, but Jarlan has been sticking its nose into our business. I may have to join our army and lead a contingent of men to fight them back if they cross the border.”
“They want to subjugate us?” Emma asked.
“Yes but they are calling it freedom,” Lord Trevor said. “Instead of nobles, they want to vote on their leaders. This doesn't sound so bad until you realize it is likely that the richest people will get elected. They do not have our morals, they would be out to please those that voted for them. Those that didn't would be out of luck, imagine only catering to the people that like you instead of everyone. They are trying to change our very way of living since their nation is so horrid. They have been stirring up trouble and I don't trust them.”
You don't?” Emma asked.
“I know it is easy for me to say that,” Lord Trevor said. “As a noble I realize I have a conflict of interest. But travel to and from Jarlan has never been halted. They freely welcome our citizens in their borders. If things here are so nasty, then why haven't our citizens left in droves? You thought about Jarlan because you knew no one would stop you. Why hasn't everyone left? We have more of their people coming over here to settle down and make money than the opposite. You should see how their poor live. No food, no shelter and no one to take care of them. We have orphanages, Jarlan turns their children out on the street to either survive or die. You should see how much they charge for healing. Only the rich are ever healed, the poor are left to die. Only the rich can afford church since they want a tithe. The church is only free on the Holy Day. It is not like it is here where everyone goes to church if they want.”
“Sounds horrible,” Emma admitted.
“It is horrible,” Lord Trevor said. “They want to fight us just so we can live in misery as well.”
“Can we beat them?” Emma asked.
“I don't know,” Lord Trevor said. “We grow things and make clothes and other items for use. We grow most of their food but they make most of our items like weapons, wagons and other things. We had a good relationship but now they have gotten greedy. They also have more people than we do. It is going to be tough for us to win if war does break out. I think every boy over fourteen is going to be pressed into action.”
“This is scary,” Emma said. “I haven't heard of anything like this.”
“Why should you?” Lord Trevor said. “It is the job of Gauthier’s sons to protect the Kingdom. As the fairer sex, your job is to pray for us and try to hold the Kingdom together as best as you can. I don't think old age or status will matter much if war starts. Every old man, teen, noble or thief will be pressed into action. Thank you for the talk.”
“You are thanking me?” Emma said, confused.
“You allowed me to forget about our meeting with my mother and now we are here,” Lord Trevor said. “Just be yourself Emma.”
Emma took Lord Trevor’s arms and climbed out of the carriage. It was a big strong arm and held her securely as she walked down the steps. They were in front of a simple building surrounded by fields of well maintained grass. Lord Trevor showed her inside of the building and Emma was amazed at its beauty. It was dominated by a big room and a smaller room in the rear that Emma assumed was the kitchen from the smells wafting out of it. A pretty blond older woman was seated, her face was well done and her hair was in a braid so intricate that Emma thought it had to take hours. Lord Trevor held out her seat and Emma sat down as he helped scoot her in. Lord Trevor took his seat as the blond woman began to talk.
“I can see why she caught your eye,” Lord Trevor’s mother said. “She is pretty, no one can deny that. I am sure she turns heads wherever she goes.”
“Lady Emma, I would like for you to meet my mother, Lady Margaret,” Lord Trevor said.
“She is no lady,” Margaret replied.
“She will be,” Lord Trevor replied.
“Yesterday my son told me that you were working as a healer in the square?” Lady Margaret said.
“I was Milady,” Emma replied. “I think I did a lot of good.”
“And she went to my orphanage and saw to the children there as well,” Lord Trevor said.
“I can guess you have a bit of money from how you are dressed and that you can work without expecting payment,” Lady Margaret said. “Your heart is kind, no one can fake being a healer, you have to study for it. Tell me something, if you and my son don't work out, what are your plans then? What other man do your parents have lined up?”
“No one,” Emma replied and then paused. “They have attempted to have me meet other gentlemen but I refuse.”
“You refuse?” Lady Margaret said.
“Right now is the best chance I have of landing someone I want instead of someone picked for me,” Emma replied. “I am learning to be a healer because I would rather be poor instead of stuck in a loveless marriage with someone I abhor. My parents look for money and prestige. They want to grow their own power and I care little to help them obtain it.”
“You wouldn't be pressing my son to show your parents favor?” Lady Margaret asked.
“No,” Emma replied. “But they do have a little bit to do with how me and Lord Trevor met, Lady Margaret.”
“I have heard the story,” Lady Margaret said. “My son would make a smarter match with the young lady I picked out for him. She is rich, her family is powerful and she is a noble. She doesn't have the drive you do though, I can see it in your eyes. You would be disappointed that you and my son didn't work out but would still focus on your own goals. She passed Trevor, Emma is as delightful as you said she was, even if she is a bit squeamish.”
“Squeamish?” Lord Trevor asked.
“I heard about an altercation she had with some watchmen,” Lady Margaret said. “From all accounts, they were dashing and handsome. As a young girl she should have been beside herself for such attention, even if she did favor you. The watchman started speaking about punishing someone and she wanted to leave. It eventually turned into her screaming at the poor man when he grabbed her to see what he could do to fix things. I am sure the poor watchman saw a great beauty and is still kicking himself that he made a mess of things.”
“War may be coming, Lady Emma,” Lord Trevor said. “I may have to do things you wouldn't like to the enemy. It is either us or them.”
“I, understand,” Emma said hesitantly.
“You are such a dear, Emma,” Lady Margaret said. “A bit too fragile but you are exactly what my son needs. A loving girl to come home to. I think at your party Trevor that many people will be interested to meet her and know her better. You should keep her close.”
“I plan to,” Lord Trevor said laughing.
The rest of the lunch went well for Emma, after some consideration she decided that she liked Lady Margaret. The woman was standoffish because there had been many girls who wanted Lord Trevor. Normally they were happy with his looks but wanted the prestige and money of being with him or their families had some plans of growing their fortune by using Lord Trevor. They were also terrible fits, they only cared about themselves and the things they would need while Emma cared mostly about helping others. By the end of the lunch, Lady Margaret was telling jokes and was surprised to hear Emma didn't go to parties or even hang out in the square or other places. She was further surprised that Emma really didn't have anyone she could call a friend and only spoke to her sister from time to time. After lunch, Lord Trevor brought her to his family’s estate. It was on the other side of the trees the lunch building was in front of and Emma was surprised she had not seen it. It was four stories high and Emma thought it was as long as a small block. Emma walked inside and was shocked at the grandness of it all.
“Outrageously big, isn't it?” Lord Trevor said. “My many greats grandfather accepted payment in labor and anyone who owed him had to come put in work. It eventually got to be this size, I could technically live in there complete with a family and not have to worry about my parents snooping in. They were a bit upset that I wanted my own place, they still have thoughts about using my home as a guest house or gifting it to one of my children when I have any and only if I have more than one. Let me show you to the room you and your parents will be staying in as my special guest.”
“We are to stay here?” Emma asked.
“Of course,” Lord Trevor replied. “My father is currently out hunting with yours. Your mother is busy getting your sister ready.”
“They have plans on snatching up some poor nobleman at your party,” Emma said. “Mary and her friends do, they can be insufferable sometimes.”
