Lily said nothing and walked toward the village, to Eleanor’s and asked her to keep the children with her and Terrick for the night.
She felt on the edge of a mountain-moving breakdown of her senses, her joints, her control, as if her weeping last night was just the beginning. She didn’t want the children about when or if it happened. She was close though. She could feel the bubbling rumble in her belly.
She returned to the house alone and discovered Brother Simon covered with Elias’ long plaid. She looked up to the second landing and prayed Elias was still in bed.
She was so happy to see him asleep but alive. She wished they hadn’t had to bid farewell to Brother Simon on the same day Elias recovered.
She prepared some salmon from the night before and boiled him some tea, then carried it to him.
She stood by the bed gazing at him, half-covered by a thin blanket. It reached a little below his belly and draped his strong, shapely legs. His arms were cut from stone. One of them was slung over his head. The other was curled around his waist.
She wanted to go to him and fall into his arms, but he was fighting his own demons.
She set down her tray and touched her fingers to his face.
His eyes opened. He turned them on her.
“I came to feed you and check you for fever.”
He nodded and closed his eyes. He grieved his friend. What could she do?
He opened his eyes again and looked at her. “Where are the children?”
“Eleanor agreed to take them for the night. Charlie walked off—”
The sounds of men’s voices outside stopped her from saying anything else.
Had the bishop and his men discovered Bertram’s body and come to take her to prison?
Lily bolted toward the window and spotted Alan and Father Benedict. They carried shovels with them.
Someone knocked on the front door, and then it opened and Charlie entered. “Lily?” he called. She moved to call back, but scolded Elias for swinging his legs over the bed.
“Morning, Lily,” Alan called up to her. “Elias, you are looking well.”
“I am well, thank the Lord,” Elias said, coming to stand beside her with his blanket wrapped around his waist.
“We have come to bury poor Brother Simon.” Alan bowed his head and crossed himself.
Lily’s heart nearly burst with thankfulness and love for her neighbors. Now Elias could re—
“I will be oot to join ye in a moment.”
What? She spun around to face him. “No! ‘Tis too soon.”
“Lily, I must! I am able. I will let the others do most of the diggin’, but I will be there. I willna be moved on this.”
He turned away to dress. She wanted to kick him. His pride and stubbornness would get him killed.
Charlie called up to her. “Was I wrong to tell them that Brother Simon had perished? They all liked him. Theylove youand would do almost anything for you. I knew they would help, as you have always helped them.”
Her throat burned. She smiled through it. “No, you were not wrong. Thank you for thinking clearly when we,” she paused and glanced back at Elias, “apparently, cannot.”
“I will keep an eye on him when he comes out,” he promised with a smile and left the house. She was glad she could be here for Charlie, and Charlie could be here for her, though it was Elias the boy clearly loved and wished to help.
She turned back to Elias. “What if you fall ill again? What will Charlie—?”
“My love, I must be there.” The tears in his eyes gleamed in the candlelight. “D’ye not understand? The only time he ever left my side fer longer than a sennight was when we were livin’ at the stronghold. Then, Simon stayed by my father. He was a loyal and steadfast brother to me. I will be there to see him off.”