Edris is frightened

“Good evening, Edris,” Cenwulf said as he came to sit beside her. “How was your day?” he asked, as he always did. And as he always did, he took her hand in his, and then seemed to forget about it entirely.

“It was a very pleasant day, wasn’t it, Baldwin?” She had fallen into the habit of deferring to Baldwin in all things. It made it easier to talk to her husband if she could talk through the baby.

“Did you see the Duchess today, Baldwin?” Cenwulf asked. He too had the habit now. “I heard you did.”

“She came this afternoon with her baby Margaret, didn’t she?”

The baby continued playing, ignoring the two of them completely.

“I have been at the Ashdown’s,” he said, turning to her, suddenly serious. “Their little boy Brandt has taken ill. I think it would be best if you and Baldwin not visit there until he is feeling better.”

“But they were here only yesterday,” she said, alarmed.

“They were?”

“I – I didn’t have a chance to tell you. You returned after I was already sleeping.”

“How was Brandt yesterday?”

“He seemed well. He is a quiet baby most of the time, is he not?”

“A lazy baby is more like it. He wasn’t coughing?”

“No. I did not notice it.”

“I believe he only started feeling ill today. He has a fever and a cough, and so. I am certain it is only a little cold.”

Edris’s heart beat painfully against her ribs. She could not believe he felt as free of care as he tried to sound. His five children had died of illness, along with his wife. A simple cough from a baby must sound like a death knell to such a man, she thought. And she knew nothing about tending a sick child. She might not even realize he was sick until it was too late.

“Are you feeling well, Edris?” he asked, staring at her face.

“Quite well.”

“You are a little flushed.”

“It is warm in here.”

“I do not think so. Your hand disagrees with you.” He laid his other hand atop hers, and held it between his two.

“My hands are often cold.”

“I shan’t argue with you, then. You know how you feel, and when your face and your hands disagree, I must rely on you to arbitrate.”

“I feel quite well,” she repeated.

“I am glad to hear it. If you are too warm, I shall ask them to be less enthusiastic when building your fires.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you this evening?”

“No, nothing. I thank you.”

“Very good. I shall go below and work for a while. Have me called if you need anything.”

“I shall. Thank you.”

“Good night, Lord Baldwin,” he said, stopping to nudge the baby with his toe as he walked to the door. Baldwin waved solemnly before returning to his toys.

Edris stared at the baby after Cenwulf had gone out. He seemed quite his normal self – but so had Brandt only yesterday. What if he fell ill? What if – she scarcely dared think it – what if he died so soon?

Then all of this would have been for nothing!