Sweet Bea by Sarah Hegger

cup. “May I?”
    Lady Mary pulled a face. “Please. It is one of nurse’s tisanes.”
    Beatrice put the cup back on the gleaming oak table. Her mouth wasn’t that dry.
    “I thought I heard Simon this morning.” Mother folded her arms over her large belly.
    “Nay. Perhaps it was a child from the village?”
    Lady Mary pursed her lips. “It sounded just like Simon.”
    “It may have.” Beatrice’s throat tightened. She hated lying to her mother. “But Simon is at Calder Castle with his mother and his father so you could not have heard him.”
    Lady Mary studied her.
    Beatrice dug her nails into her palms to stop herself from fidgeting. Please, just this once let Mother not see through her. Her heart pounded so loudly, her mother must be able to hear it.
    “Did Godfrey arrive?”
    Beatrice unclenched her hands. She wiped damp palms on her knee. “He did. The Army of God still holds London, but he has not seen father or the boys.”
    “I pray they are well.” Lady Mary sighed and looked out the casement. Her mouth was drawn down at the corners and she looked tired and sad.
    Renewed determination surged through Beatrice. This was why she had Tom preparing supplies right this minute. When Sir Arthur and her brothers were back, her mother would smile again. She touched her palm to her mother’s belly. “How is the babe?”
    “Restless.” Her mother covered her hand with her long, delicate fingers. “He is a strong lad.”
    “Lad?”
    “What girl would cause her mother such discomfort?”
    Guilt took a swipe at Beatrice. She had caused her mother all manner of discomfort and was about to add to her tally. When she returned from London, there would be no more upheavals and trouble. She would settle down and become a good daughter, just like Faye.
    “Look at me, Bea.” Lady Mary squeezed her hand. “You do not cause me discomfort.”
    Of course, her mother would say so, because she was her mother. Her mother was uncanny the way she could read her face so easily. Bea forced a smile to her lips. “Not at this minute, I am not.”
    “There.” Her mother smiled. “We are in perfect agreement. Now, tell me what you plan for the rest of this lovely day.”
    Beatrice chatted with her mother until Nurse came in with instructions for Lady Mary to rest.
    “See you on the morrow, Sweet Bea,” her mother said.
    It was time to say good-bye. Beatrice’s throat closed around a huge lump. She ducked her head to hide her face from Nurse’s view.
    “Actually.” Her voice came out in a rasp and she cleared her throat.
    Her mother raised her brows.
    The prepared excuse lodged behind Beatrice’s breastbone. She forced the words out on a rush of breath. “I thought I might go to the sisters at St. Thomas in the morning.”
    “Did you?” Nurse glared from beneath her wimple.
    It was easier to look at Nurse than her mother. “I thought I might light a candle for father and William and Roger.”
    “And our chapel will not suffice? Father Thomas has run short of candles?”
    Beatrice raised her chin and met Nurse’s penetrating stare.
    Nurse jammed her hands on her hips.
    “I think it is a fine idea.” Lady Mary’s soft voice broke the joined battle.
    Beatrice let her breath out slowly. Her mother was a saint and she was a liar and a worm.
    “Light one for the babe and your mother while you are there.”
    Beatrice pressed a kiss to her mother’s cheek. She inhaled the comforting rose scent clinging to her mother. “I love you.”
    “And you, Sweet Bea.”
    * * * *
    In the moonlight, Beatrice slipped out the postern gate. It clanged shut behind her and she jumped. The rest of the keep was at Vespers.
    Tom waited for her just as they had arranged. He had three horses and all the provisions for their journey. “Did you leave the message for Faye?”
    Beatrice rolled her eyes and mounted. Just because Tom had agreed to help her, didn’t mean he would come quietly. “I left her a message,” Beatrice whispered.