| Subject: Honor on the Field, 11 |
Author:
Nell
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Date Posted: Saturday, November 12, 11:05:46pm
In reply to:
Nell
's message, "Honor on the Field" on Tuesday, November 01, 08:53:54pm
~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter 11 ~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlborough, September 1362
Counting quietly to herself, Nikita was sorting bedding in the laundry when she heard Belinda’s quiet cough behind her.
Nikita looked over her shoulder inquiringly. “Yes? What is it Belinda?”
“Cook,” Belinda and Matilda only used each other’s titles, Matilda referring to Belinda only as ‘nurse,’ due to an ancient feud Nikita had never fully understood, “cook says that she needs more salt to prepare tonight’s supper.”
Nikita frowned impatiently. “She knows that we don’t have it. She’s the one who told me how much salt we’ll need the week the guests are here, and we’ll barely make it.”
“I’ll tell her.”
“No, wait. I’ll do it.”
“As you wish.”
“I don’t wish – but better me than you.” Nikita smiled warmly at Belinda to take any sting out of the comment. “I’m just finished here anyway.”
The two women headed for the kitchen, and as they walked, Nikita asked, “how are the women doing with the room cleaning?”
“Slowly. The mouse damage was worse than usual this year.”
Nikita huffed the flying ends of hair off her cheeks. “How much damage, Bee?”
“Well – we can repair most of the bolsters, but only by re-using the materials from the most damaged one.”
“Take mine to make up for the missing one.”
“One coverlet is also damaged beyond repair.”
Nikita nodded, but before she could speak, Belinda continued, “and don’t tell me to take yours. Miss Michelle can give up her second one to the guests.”
“No. She’ll only complain of the cold to our father.”
“Fine. Take his.”
Nikita laughed and shook Belinda’s arm. “Don’t be silly, Belinda. I can use my winter cloak until the guests are gone, it’s fur lined and warmer than my coverlet anyway.”
Belinda looked her disapproval, but said only, “Michelle wants another candle for her room.”
“No.”
“Humph. Glad you’re putting on some limits anyway.”
“Michelle understands what we’re facing, or she wouldn’t have asked, she’d simply have taken one. She knows I have to say no.”
“Does Master Wellman know what a prize he’s getting with you?”
Nikita felt herself flush with pleasure even as she said, “hush, Bee. Nothing’s settled yet.”
“Only because you asked him to wait until this foolish party is over with!”
“It wouldn’t be fair to my father to leave him with only Michelle just before this party – you know it is the highpoint of his year.”
Belinda rolled her eyes and exclaimed, “Men!” making Nikita giggle as she turned down the corridor to the kitchen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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