They all stared at her. “Wooin’ is fer ye,” Galeren’s father told her. ’Tis somethin’ a suitor does for the lady, to win her heart.”
She covered her smile with her hand. She liked Torin MacPherson but she decided that if Galeren was going to woo her, she was going to woo him back.
They brought her to the middle house, which was Torin and Braya’s house.
“We break fast in the dining hall at an hour after sunup,” Braya told her.
“Oh, dear!” Silene said bringing her hand to her chest. “I promised to break fast with Father Timothy. Forgive me for—”
“We are happy ye and the good Father Timothy are gettin’ along so well,” Galeren told her. His parents agreed.
“Make no plans for supper though,” his mother said, trying to look stern—which made her husband smile as he stared at her. “You will sup with us.”
“I would love to. Thank you.”
Galeren’s father beamed at her. “Ye are courteous. ’Tis a good trait, that.”
Now Galeren was smiling at her. “Aye,” he agreed.
“Do you know any of the tales of Arthur Pendragon and his knights?” Braya asked her, leading them inside.
“Nay,” Silene told her, looking around at the carved wooden archways, and the well-lit halls. The house was deceptively huge, with a stone stairway and cut flowers everywhere.
“If you stay with him,” his mother said, passing her, “you will learn them. Galeren knows every story as well as my husband knows them.”
“Then your husband taught him well.”
Braya’s smile warmed on her. She didn’t need to turn around and see the men. She could feel their gladness coming off them.
“Your home is very warm and comforting,” she complimented, winning them over.
“You will like your room then,” her hostess told her, walking her toward a softly lit hall with three doors. One on the left and two on the right. She brought Silene to the lone door on the left and opened it to a dimly lit room. The only light was from a candle in the window.
“This is our son Lucan’s room. He is in England presently.”
“Have ye received any word from him?” Galeren asked softly as his mother went inside and lit more candles.
“Not for two years now,” his mother told him.
“And where is Lionell?” Galeren asked his parents. “I didna see him in the solar.”
“He is oot somewhere.” His mother waved her arms and laughed to herself, but there was no mirth in it.
“Let us not speak of this before bed. ’Twill make fer troubled sleep,” his father said, stepping forward.
“Aye,” his wife agreed with a smile. “We will speak of it tomorrow at supper and both of you shall tell me about my parents.”
Silene nodded and looked around as more light fell on the room. She let her gaze rove over the polished wooden walls. The large bed with four wooden posts. Blankets of fur and wool were piled high on the bed. Three heavy, wooden chairs, laden with more furs, a table, and more filled the room.
“I’m moved that you offer this room to me.”
Braya looked at Galeren and smiled. “Oh, I almost did not remember. My son has given me your prayer schedule. I have let the guards know that they may see you.”
Silene didn’t know how to thank them enough for all they had done. She would make herself useful around the house. She knew how to cook. She could clean, launder, sew, all of it. It was all required learning at the priory.
“Well, love, I will let ye sleep,” Galeren bid her good eve but neither of them wanted to part.
If Silene’s chest could have opened, she was sure her heart would have burst forth and into his arms, perhaps kiss him once more.