The Lady of Fairhaven Read Online Free PDF Page B

woman settled in to stand watch over the chatelaine, as she lay unconscious. Salves made from herbs were rubbed onto the deep ugly welts. Two attendants let Gillian’s body mend and rest uninterrupted. By midday, Gillian finally awakened. A rich meat and vegetable broth was spooned into her mouth with the hope of sustaining her strength.
    The pain set into the battered flesh making every movement agony, every breath anguish. It was more squeak than cry that drew the healer’s attention. Every function required more effort than Gillian could muster. Her weak body lay limp on the bed. The simple act of speaking drew a pain from breathing so intense, silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
    Bitter, drug spiked wine prepared by the villein was gently spooned into the mouth of the shivering patient. Having little else to do than attend to her friend, Anne administered the drugs patiently. Checking for fever and finding none, the maid administered more wine and watched their patient fall back to sleep.
    During the second day, after both women fell into exhausted sleep on pallets near the injured woman’s bed, a weak moan signaled Gillian’s awakening. Response to her groans was immediate, and the two hovered over the chatelaine optimistically. With a sense of resignation, they watched the lady of the manor suffer through the pain of reemerging from her mind numbing state.
    “ God help me! What happened?” she cried. “I hurt, Anne.” Another course of tears ran down her cheeks. “Everything hurts.”
    “ I know, My Lady,” was all Anne could say. “’Twill all be well soon.”
    Gillian’s hand searched for a cold nose or warm muzzle, but found none. “Where’s Dog? she asked.
    “ You must first know that the animal is alright. He was placed in his pen just before you were beaten, and there he has remained at Sir Oliver’s orders. He, like the rest of us, is waiting for your swift recovery.
    Gillian closed her eyes as the pain and nausea once again washed around her. “It seems I must be more careful next time,” Gillian replied.
    “ No! You must not be left unprotected from now on,” Anne insisted. “Giles has made preparations to keep you safe while you are here.” Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper.
    “ Yes! I will avoid my uncle in the future. The village needs me.”
    “ The village will not have benefit of you if you lie dead,” Anne snapped in frustration.
    Anne’s blunt comment stalled Gillian’s retort, and even more so, it shattered all thought. The argument was too compelling to ignore. But what must be done to insure the safety of the village.
    “ I wait for Aunt Elinor’s reply to my missive,” Gillian explained. “Has my messenger returned with her reply?”
    “ I’m afraid, My Lady, that one of Gile’s men found young Henry’s body while hunting in the woods. Your letter never made it to your aunt. Henry was brought down with an arrow to the back. Giles believes you must, at this point, secure a safe passage to your family.”
    Gillian gasped, triggering an immediate piecing pain bursting through every muscle in her body. She leaned her head against the pillow and moaned. Even breathing seemed too large a task.
    “ I must get word to my aunt,” Gillian replied. “This situation is intolerable.”
    “ Insure your own safety first. Gillian we must leave this place, and soon, before your uncle finds out you are well.”
    “ Or the two guards return,” Gillian said.
    “ They will not be returning,” a voice said from the door.
    Gillian looked at Giles, who was now entering the room. He turned his head back toward the door and then at the two women. Smiling, he said, “Only God can decide their fates now.” Turning back, Giles placed himself outside the door. This time his sword was drawn.
    “ I understand,” Gillian said. Then, in a whisper, she said to Anne, “Make arrangements as best you can, but I cannot endanger your life by taking you with me.”
    “ My