Read Online Music for My Soul by Lauren Linwood - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lauren Linwood
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“Yes, you are right.” She felt uncomfortable discussing it further, so she busied herself fussing with Gwenith’s pillows and adjusting the blanket.
“Ye’re so good to me,” Gwenith whispered and fell into a deep sleep.
Madeleine remained by her side for several minutes. Gwenith had become the sister she’d never had in a short amount of time. When she’d run into Gwenith and Evan after glimpsing Bertrand on the waterfront, it had been an answered prayer. Somehow Gwenith must have realized Madeleine was in trouble without having to be told.
And that day, Gwenith had returned to the mummers with her in tow. Madeleine had become an integral part of the group in a short time. When she’d first played the lute and sang for them, her fate became sealed. Now she played for audiences before the mummers performed and provided entertainment between acts, as well. Sometimes she was pressed into service by narrating the short dramas. She had even composed a few original songs. It had been a happy few weeks.
Once a month had passed and Madeleine was sure Henri was safely on his way back to Chateau Maraine, she began preparations to leave the troupe. They had been on the circuit since early April, and a few other talented people had joined in their progress. Madeleine was sure she could be replaced without much fuss.
She had gone to Farley, the head of the mummers and told him of her intentions to leave.
The hefty, bearded man boomed at her, “No, my girl, I can’t let ye go. Ye have the most wonderful voice I’ve heard in my two score of years. Our audiences will not be half what they are if ye desert us. Would ye see all of my people starve? I think not.”
He crossed his arms over his rotund belly and thrust his chin in the air as if that had settled the matter.
Madeleine turned to Elspeth, his wife. “Surely you understand that I am ready to return to my home?”
Elspeth nodded solemnly. “Sure ‘n I do, me sweet. Pay ye no mind to that barrel—chested oaf. He’ll dance ta what’er tune I decide. Now be gone, child!” and she swatted Madeleine’s rump.
Madeleine glanced over her shoulder as she left to witness Elspeth light into Farley, and him defend himself. “But, dearest, I was merely jesting with the girl. I would never . . .”
Farley’s voice faded as Madeleine hurried back to pack her meager belongings. Besides the clothes she wore, she had few personal items. She had purchased a new lute. It had done well by her and helped her to earn her way until she was ready to see her parents again.
But Gwenith’s sudden illness had put a stop to her plans. Not deliberately, of course, but Madeleine had remained all the same. Her friend looked so tired, and as Madeleine heard the hacking cough that Gwenith couldn’t seem to rid herself of, she decided that she owed it to Gwenith to stay until she was completely well. She would help her care for Evan, who would certainly keep anyone healthy running ragged, and she could now take part in the summer solstice.
All the members of their entourage looked forward to this Midsummer’s Eve festival. They would spend three days at Summerville, home of a Lord Denton. Maybe by then Gwenith would be in better health, and Madeleine could cross the channel with peace of mind.
But the solstice was less than a week away. Instead of improving as Madeleine had hoped, Gwenith continued wasting away. Her clothing hung on her, and she’d stopped performing entirely in the last few days. What was she going to do?
Royce, too, had upset her, more than she would admit to Gwenith. She hated to lose his friendship, but she could not tolerate any type of flirtation. There was still a half—hour or so before the first show of the afternoon. Since Gwenith now slept, Madeleine decided to take a turn in the fresh air. It always seemed to clear her head.
Madeleine pushed aside the flap of the tent and stepped out into the bright June sunshine. The colors and sounds of the faire
“Ye’re so good to me,” Gwenith whispered and fell into a deep sleep.
Madeleine remained by her side for several minutes. Gwenith had become the sister she’d never had in a short amount of time. When she’d run into Gwenith and Evan after glimpsing Bertrand on the waterfront, it had been an answered prayer. Somehow Gwenith must have realized Madeleine was in trouble without having to be told.
And that day, Gwenith had returned to the mummers with her in tow. Madeleine had become an integral part of the group in a short time. When she’d first played the lute and sang for them, her fate became sealed. Now she played for audiences before the mummers performed and provided entertainment between acts, as well. Sometimes she was pressed into service by narrating the short dramas. She had even composed a few original songs. It had been a happy few weeks.
Once a month had passed and Madeleine was sure Henri was safely on his way back to Chateau Maraine, she began preparations to leave the troupe. They had been on the circuit since early April, and a few other talented people had joined in their progress. Madeleine was sure she could be replaced without much fuss.
She had gone to Farley, the head of the mummers and told him of her intentions to leave.
The hefty, bearded man boomed at her, “No, my girl, I can’t let ye go. Ye have the most wonderful voice I’ve heard in my two score of years. Our audiences will not be half what they are if ye desert us. Would ye see all of my people starve? I think not.”
He crossed his arms over his rotund belly and thrust his chin in the air as if that had settled the matter.
Madeleine turned to Elspeth, his wife. “Surely you understand that I am ready to return to my home?”
Elspeth nodded solemnly. “Sure ‘n I do, me sweet. Pay ye no mind to that barrel—chested oaf. He’ll dance ta what’er tune I decide. Now be gone, child!” and she swatted Madeleine’s rump.
Madeleine glanced over her shoulder as she left to witness Elspeth light into Farley, and him defend himself. “But, dearest, I was merely jesting with the girl. I would never . . .”
Farley’s voice faded as Madeleine hurried back to pack her meager belongings. Besides the clothes she wore, she had few personal items. She had purchased a new lute. It had done well by her and helped her to earn her way until she was ready to see her parents again.
But Gwenith’s sudden illness had put a stop to her plans. Not deliberately, of course, but Madeleine had remained all the same. Her friend looked so tired, and as Madeleine heard the hacking cough that Gwenith couldn’t seem to rid herself of, she decided that she owed it to Gwenith to stay until she was completely well. She would help her care for Evan, who would certainly keep anyone healthy running ragged, and she could now take part in the summer solstice.
All the members of their entourage looked forward to this Midsummer’s Eve festival. They would spend three days at Summerville, home of a Lord Denton. Maybe by then Gwenith would be in better health, and Madeleine could cross the channel with peace of mind.
But the solstice was less than a week away. Instead of improving as Madeleine had hoped, Gwenith continued wasting away. Her clothing hung on her, and she’d stopped performing entirely in the last few days. What was she going to do?
Royce, too, had upset her, more than she would admit to Gwenith. She hated to lose his friendship, but she could not tolerate any type of flirtation. There was still a half—hour or so before the first show of the afternoon. Since Gwenith now slept, Madeleine decided to take a turn in the fresh air. It always seemed to clear her head.
Madeleine pushed aside the flap of the tent and stepped out into the bright June sunshine. The colors and sounds of the faire
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