The Shortcoming (Unexpected Circumstances 4)

Shortly after we finished our meal, I was quite ready to sleep. I was given the large bed in the back, the one Ida also used when she was in need. I felt quite uncomfortable taking the luxurious bed when the others were left with beds much more modest though they seemed comfortable enough. Regardless of the lavishness of the bed, I was far too weary for sleep to come quickly. I found myself cold and lonely without Branford’s arms wrapped around me, his hand on my hair and the warmth of his chest under my cheek. I lay there for some time before my mind quieted enough to take me until morning.

When I woke, there was a distinct ache in my legs and belly.

Since I had started monthly bleeding, I was burdened with the intense pain that can sometimes come with it. It didn’t usually last long, but it wore me out terribly. While in Princess Whitney’s employ, I was still to perform all my duties, which had sometimes been difficult. I found myself grateful for the lack of true work when not caring for my husband, for it allowed me to stay in the most luxurious bed a little longer than I would have been allowed before. I wondered later if doing more work would have lessened the effect of the painful cramping of my muscles, for they came on fast and strong throughout the morning, and nothing I did seemed to make any difference.

I tried to move my legs into a different position in the vain hope it would relax my stomach and relieve the discomfort, but it was no help. I switched my legs to the other side, then back again. I tried standing and walking around, which did not help. Both sitting and lying were also uncomfortable. Though I tried not to show my weakness, it must have been obvious I was in pain.

“Lady Alexandra?”

I looked up to see Janet standing in front of me, shuffling her feet from side to side. In her hands was a steaming cup of liquid.

“What is it, Janet?” I asked as I tried to smile through my discomfort.

“I am sorry, Lady Alexandra,” she said. “I did not mean to intrude, but you seem…uncomfortable.”

“I am fine,” I assured her. “I usually feel like this for a day or two. Perhaps if I did something more productive, it would not be so bad.”

“Would you permit me to help, my Lady?”

“Help with what?”

“I made you some tea,” she said, and I found myself smiling as her cheeks turned pink with her blush, not so unlike my own were wont to do. “It can help with the pain of monthly times.”

I had never heard of such a thing.

“What is in it?”

“Boiled bark from a willow tree as well as some ginger root,” she told me. “Cinnamon can also be added to it to make it taste better, but it is such a rare spice, I could not find any.”

I took the cup from her hands and sniffed. I could definitely smell the ginger. I took a sip. It was strong tasting but not unpleasant. I took another drink and nodded to Janet.

“I understand how cinnamon would complement the rest,” I agreed. “I have no idea if there is any to be found in Silverhelm or not. It is such a rare commodity. When I lived in Hadebrand, it was only obtained for very special occasions.”

“You lived in Hadebrand?” Janet asked, obviously surprised.

I nodded in return as I sipped some more of the tea.

“I was Princess Whitney’s handmaid before Branford…” My voice trailed off. Though I felt no shame in my former station—truly I was still more comfortable with it than as Branford’s wife—the way in which Branford had claimed me was not something I wanted to address. It seemed…less than what I felt for him now. I took a deep breath, for it did not change the actuality of the whole thing. It was best to just speak of it and get it out of the way. “Branford won the tournament there. I was his prize.”

Janet’s eyes went wide, and her hand covered her mouth.

“I am so sorry,” she whispered as she glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one else was in the room. “It must have been…”

She did not get the chance to finish her sentence, for I felt the need to correct her right away.

“It was not as such,” I said as I shook my head. Well, truthfully, it had been as such…it just was not as such now. “I mean, it was very…confusing at first. But Branford has been wonderful.”

Janet’s gaze met mine, and I could see her disbelief in her eyes. Of course, she had seen very little of him. On the way back from Sawyer, she was overly grateful, thanking Branford continuously until he finally snapped at her. After that, she had only spoken to him when she had to do so. After his small tirade in our rooms, I had the feeling she only saw him as the tyrant he could become.

I took another sip of the tea Janet had made. It tingled on my tongue, but I was growing to like the taste. Soon breakfast was brought to the room, and Janet took it upon herself to serve me. I argued with her briefly, but she reached out and touched my hand.

“Lady Alexandra?” Janet said softly as she looked down at our hands.

“Yes, Janet?”

“Sir Branford…he…he saved me.” She looked up into my face. “He actually fought for me. I’m not such a fool—I know for whom he truly fought—but still, his actions have brought me here as a free serf. That is something I never expected to be. Let me repay his kindness by taking care of you as he has asked.”

I could not dispute her reasoning and allowed her to serve my breakfast to me while I sat up in the bed. I ate a little before lying back down for a few more minutes. I was surprised when, about an hour after drinking the strong-tasting tea, the cramping in my belly did subside. Though the pain wasn’t completely gone, it was bearable again. I thanked Janet profusely, and she offered to make some more of the tea in the morning.