2: Freedom! And A Chance Meeting

Chapter 2 of "A Grail for Eidothea"

Eidothea had a vision when she took care of Llyr, a man she’s known since childhood, who showed up on her beach badly wounded. She discovered that he is draig môr, a sea dragon like her mother. The vision frightens her senseless and she runs, babbling about sea dragons and is found out, and forbidden to leave the house.

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23rd March 1814

Freedom! I have been allowed to take one constitutional stroll after lunch. The cave and the beach remain forbidden. I spent some time on the cliffs staring down at the prohibited beach. Newly arrived to the area, a Mr. Jasper Tregallas came to pay his respects, as Father is a reputed academic and gentleman. He seems handsome and kind enough.

The wind teased curls from my bun and they whipped about my face. The bitter cold stung my skin. Spring is late starting this year. The bay frothed with white caps and I tasted salt on my lips.

I meandered along the muddy bridle paths, keeping away from the narrow road that led to the village. It had rained during the night, making the trail slick. The gorse caught at my skirts and my fingertips soon tingled with the cold, despite my gloves. I tucked them beneath my long woollen shawl that wrapped around my body.

Turning my back to the prevailing sea winds, I decided to take the road I’d been avoiding. Its tall hedges would block much of the wind. My foot skated on a piece of unseen ice and I fell into the muddy grass and almost into the hedge. I rose, looking down at myself in dismay. Dripping mud and blades of grass caked my woollen skirt. Aunt Norah would not be happy at my appearance and I foresaw further feminine study in my future.

If I could slip in without being seen, perhaps that could be avoided. On reaching the hedge, I clambered over a wooden stile to reach the road. My muddy boot slipped as I came over the top. With a shriek, I tumbled.

My face planted into solid wool and a button dug into my cheek. We staggered a few steps, arms holding me upright.

I took a moment to recover my breath, to come up with an excuse for my disheveled appearance but the warm solidity proved distracting.

I pushed against the person, who refused to let go. I looked up into a stranger’s face. He seemed kind, but not known to me. I struggled harder and he released me.

The gentleman, for he was dressed as such, remained composed despite my leaving a muddy smudge on his greatcoat. His cheeks and ears were a bright red, surely from the cold, and not embarrassment.

“My apologies,” he said. “I was not sure if you had fainted.” His blue-eyed gaze flicked over my dirty appearance and an eyebrow rose. Only his red hair was slightly tousled by the wind.

“My thanks that you broke my fall. I hope you are uninjured?”

He smiled. It transformed his pale, severe face, even warming his ice-blue eyes. “I am quite unharmed.”

“Are you lost?” The occasional English tourist did come this way, although never alone and on foot.

He gestured to the road behind me. “Unless this is not the way to the Pendyr home?”

My gaze widened and I scanned his person, my mind racing. Everyone knew everyone in this small isolated village. Thus I also knew, even this far from the village market, who had newly arrived. “You are … you are Lord Tregallas’ son.”

“One of them,” he allowed. He would have continued but I interrupted.

“You never saw me! And could you … could you dawdle and give me an hour?”

I saw that he had deduced my identity. “In this cold? Half an hour.”

“Done!” I pointed at the sea beyond the fields. “Could you look that way until you no longer hear my footsteps?”

He nodded, turning to face the sea. I ran, his chuckles fading behind me. My bonnet bounced off my back but there was no time to set it to rights.

I burst through the front door, barreled up the stairs, ignoring my aunt’s cry from the parlour.

Jenni gasped at the sight of me. Mud splattered from my hem to my hair. I glanced at the mirror. My checks were a hectic red from the wind and my running, but my lips were pale with the cold.

“Warm water first,” I declared, hoping that Jenni had been keeping some warm for my return. “The Tregallas fellow is well on his way. Help me change and I will take care of the rest.”

Jenni ducked out of the room, soon returning with hot water. Hands, face, armpits and feet were bathed. I did not have enough time for a proper bath. Jenni helped me into the simple but elegant round gown Aunt Norah had chosen for me to wear. Jenni struggled to comb out my hair. I helped where I could, untangling with my fingers.

The front door knocker rapped and my father called out in greeting.

We were out of time.

“Twist it up and stick pins in it. I will finish up.” I dismissed Jenni once she had completed this. I murmured the dissembling spell under my breath, the first spell my mother had taught me, gesturing at my hair as I chanted.

Jenni glanced sidelong at me as I stepped out of my bedchamber. I do not know if she thought it was magic or gentlewomanly skills, but she was a practical girl and had not shown any fear when I had used the spell previously.

I descended and entered the front parlour. Aunt Norah looked positively relieved at my dignified appearance. I glanced at Mr. Tregallas, whose lips quirked, breaking his polite expression.

Father gestured I sit next to my aunt on the sofa and made the introductions. “This is Mr. Tregallas, Lord Tregallas’ second son.”

I nodded to Mr, Tregallas, dipped a polite curtsey and took my place next to Aunt Norah. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tregallas.”

Throughout the tea, I kept glancing at Mr. Tregallas, wondering if he would reveal our disgraceful meeting, but he said nothing, although his gaze frequently caught mine. We talked of the weather, the village, and Mr. Tregellas’ recent travels. I allowed myself to relax and enjoy his company. We lived in isolation and talking to someone new was refreshing.

He invited us to an early dinner the following day. The lack of a visible moon made a later hour impossible to travel at night. My father hesitated but Aunt Norah accepted for all of us.

“It will be a small affair,” Mr. Tregallas promised, seeming to note Father’s discomfort. “Yourselves and one or two other families. My father would like me to become better acquainted with our neighbours.” He smiled at me and I felt warm inside.

Father frowned. “We do not usually move in your father’s circle. The London crowd is too much for us.”

“The only Londoner there will be myself. My father understands you perfectly.”

“I am sure he does,” Father grumbled under his breath.

Mr. Tregallas took his leave. I followed him out, murmuring some excuse about showing him the way. “Thank you,” I whispered, helping him with his greatcoat.

“It is our secret.” He reached toward me and I froze. I felt a slight tug in my hair. He revealed a desiccated blackberry leaf, its serrated edges beginning to crumble.

I stared at him and glanced at the hallway mirror. My spell was intact. “How did you—”

He smiled, the leaf disappearing into his waistcoat pocket. “I will see you tomorrow, Miss Pendyr.” He pulled on his gloves and departed.

He had not answered my question. How infuriating!

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