19: My Dearest Honey Girl

Chapter 19 of "A Grail for Eidothea"

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After a romantic moment in Newcastle Emlyn, Eidothea and Jasper are waylaid close to Eidothea’s home by Jasper’s half-brother, Ladon. He paws Eidothea, searching for the Grealseeker ring. Jasper comes to her defence. Eidothea runs home and finds it has been trashed but nobody is seriously hurt. Jasper, however, barely won the fight. Lord Tregallas sends a servant to claim him. Jasper insists that Eidothea flee if he doesn’t call her “honey girl” in his letter as that would mean she and her quest are in great danger from her father.

5th April, 1814

We should be preparing for our festive trip to Bath but find instead all our efforts are bent to setting the house to rights. By some miracle, they did not find the secret passage that led to the sea cave. Aunt Norah is herself once more. She timidly inquired about a constable from the village and seemed mollified by Father’s vague response.

Jasper’s letter arrived. I am much relieved.

My dearest honey girl,

I am so relieved you were not further hurt. My brother has been whipped for his foolishness. My father will write more to your father anon.

Sincerely,

Jasper Tregallas

“Money,” Father grumbled. “He sent us compensation for damages.” He looked up from reading Lord Tregallas’ letter. I stood in the doorway, clutching my own letter from Jasper. Father purpled as he continued to read. “ ‘Trespass upon your daughter’s person’. ” He pinned me with a frown. “What does he mean by that?”

I slumped against the door jamb. “I was not wearing the ring on my hand, so he must have seen the chain around my neck…” I trailed off, shuddering.

Father put down the letter and crossed the carpeted floor to me. He held out his arms and I fell into them, still shaking. He held me, patting my back, until I calmed.

He drew me to a chair and sat opposite. “Do you still want to marry the boy? I do not like the idea of you being anywhere near his brother.” Father gestured to Lord Tregallas’ letter. “He says he will establish your household anywhere you wish.”

I raised an eyebrow. “To go to Bath, the wedding must appear to continue. Jasper will have to completely turn my head for the nuptials to actually take place. I wish we could delay an answer…”

“Oh, in a few days I will write,” Father conceded. “Have you heard from your Jasper?”

I grimaced at the ‘your’, but nodded, showing him the letter. “I will delay writing back also. A united front as it were.”

6th April, 1814

The house almost looks as it once did. Aunt Norah is looking forward to finding pieces in Bath to replace what has been smashed. She has gotten Father to agree to purchase additional items for my future married home.

In the afternoon, while Aunt Norah took a restorative nap, I headed to the secret passageway to the sea cave. I picked up the bundle of clothing hidden and reserved for Llyr as I stepped out onto the stony beach and walked down to the shoreline.

Wavelets lapped at my boot tips as I called for him. Within a few moments, his dark head popped out of the water, and he swam to shore.

Remembering he would be naked, I turned my back on the sea and held out the bundle of clothing balanced on one hand.

“What took you so long?” Llyr’s exit from the water sprayed droplets over my skirts. His hand settled at my waist for a moment before he claimed the clothing.

I made a quarter turn to give him privacy. I folded my arms, glad he could not see my flushed cheeks. “It took some time to come up with a possible location and then—“

Llyr walked into view, tucking his white linen shirt into his breeches. “And then?” He stopped and caressed my cheek. “Is that a bruise?”

I batted away his hand. “It is dirt. We have been cleaning the house. Actually, my other cheek was slapped.”

Llyr grabbed my shoulders. “Who dared?”

“Ladon Tregallas.” I met his worried gaze. I resolved in that moment not to tell him about my forced engagement. Two was too much. I told him the rest, including Jasper defending me against his brother and our plan to go to Bath in less than a week. “We should be at sea by the thirteenth.”

Llyr frowned. “You will be going along the coast? I could join you.”

I shook my head. “Overland. It will be faster.”

“But—“

“I have tested it. I can travel further from the sea than my mother could. I can only assume I am also sufficiently still human enough to negate that restriction.”

“Amazing.” Llyr’s strained smile belied his words. His hands slid down my arms.

“You do not sound happy.”

He gathered my hands in his and drew them to his chest. “You have been putting yourself at great risk.”

“Not so great, and necessary if we are to find the Greal and make you king.”

Llyr released me then and gazed out at the sea. The weak sunlight created golden glints across the wave tops.

“What have you learned from Maeve?” I tugged on his sleeve when he did not respond. “Llyr?”

He took one long look at the sea and faced me, all smiles and charm. “I believe I have years of stories to tell you, and spells to teach you. I cannot do so Above Sea, so you must hurry back with the Greal.”

I nodded. “Sea magic?”

“Something like that,” Llyr replied, and I saw I was not going to get a straight answer from him.

“Will you come to me when I’m sailing in the Bristol Channel, Môr Hafren?”

His smile widened. “I will always come when you call.”

“Even when you rule Caer Morgana?” I teased. “You will be too busy to be at my beck and call.”

He winced, then frowned. “What is ‘beck and call’?”

I grinned at him. “My every bidding, Llyr.”

Llyr’s sultry smile flared then faded. He took hold of my hands and squeezed them but said nothing.

“What is it?” I murmured, peering up into his face. “What troubles you?”

He released me, moving away. “The future of the oceans depend on us. How do you bear the weight of it?”

I followed, tucking my hand into the crook of his elbow. “It drives me, but I can only take one step at a time … and just hope we move fast enough.”

He bent to kiss my forehead. “I hold onto that hope with you,” he murmured.

I stilled. We stood close together, not speaking, just … being with each other.

Llyr shook off our dreamy state first. “I need to return to Caer Morgana and then to Maeve. I fear I have been lingering here more than attending Maeve’s lessons.”

I stepped away. “I am sorry I could not come to you sooner.”

He reached out and his fingertips smoothed my cheek. “I know.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “But I think you better turn around so I may undress. I have no objections, but…”

I spun around, embarrassed. From the corner of my eye, I saw breeches, then shirt, land at my feet. His hand rested on my shoulder and I startled.

He huffed a soft laugh. “I will look for you on the thirteenth.”

I heard him wade into the water and waited, turning only when I thought he might be waist-deep. He glanced over his shoulder, saw me looking. He grinned, waved, and dove beneath the waves.

Heart pounding, I gathered his discarded clothes, setting them on a rock to dry. I suddenly wished I had told him about Jasper and how deeply he was involved in our quest, but I had not wanted to disturb our brief time together. Yes, a cowardly excuse, but I wanted clarity when everything was so uncertain.

10th April, 1814, Easter.

The first of the banns has been announced. We leave on the morrow.

11th April, 1814

Postchaise to Carmarthen, 30 miles. Bumpy but did not even feel nauseous. Father casually commented at a certain point in the journey at the moment my mother had fainted. Sharing a room at the Carmarthen Inn with Aunt Norah. Jasper’s face is healing, the bruises a fading green.

12th April, 1814

Set sail from Carmarthen to Bristol. We were lucky to find berths on a small packet. Jasper disappeared into his cabin, complaining of seasickness. Aunt Norah checked on him and reports he is indeed looking green around the gills. I remarked it must be his bruises.

14th April 1814

Arrived in Bristol. Jasper is sparing no expense and has hired a post-chaise to take us the remaining distance to Bath. We leave within the hour. He looks very happy to be back on land again.

It is now evening. We arrived in Gay Street at my uncle’s home without a single incident. After unloading our trunks, Jasper continued onto the Circus where his family’s agent has a house. We were given a brief moment of privacy to say our farewell, which is to say, none at all, for there is always somebody passing by.

We have arrived to news that Napoleon has abdicated and the city will celebrate with illuminations and concerts.

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