Excerpt A Proposal
It was the dae before the Ides of Octemb. I remember the dae well. I suppose it is a dae every girl remembers. I had gone for a walk in the early evening to see if there were any flowers left to make an arrangement for the party the next dae.
I found a few wildflowers that weren't too wilted and brought them and a bunch of cattails up to the manor. I made a mental reminder to collect the cattail fluff to fill clouts for the baby. I'll need some to fill a large bed for the three of us to sleep on - as well as to make a cushion for the trundle that Tijer will make this winter. I can use the leaves and stems to make some rushes for the floors, they are sure to get quite cold this winter. Well, I will certainly be busy, I shall have to complete my stitching before the babe comes.
The sun was setting as I made my way up the path to the back door into the kitchen. When I opened the door I was assailed by a melody of sight and smell. Tijer had decided to surprise me by making me supper! Cod with luks and lemon - where had he gotten a lemon? Fresh baked bread and a cake for desert!
"Well, you caught me. Do you like it? I hope 'tis ok. I wanted to surprise you. You can close your mouth now, don't want to let the flies in." His smile stretched ear to ear.
I smiled back. "I do, I love it. What is the occasion?"
"Can a man not cook supper for the woman he loves, who just happens to be carring his child?"
"Well, yes. But a wise woman would wager said man wanted something in return."
"Come and sit down, eat now. Later we will get to what said man might want from his wise woman."
We had a glorious meal. I scarce had to lift a finger. He fed me by hand through the courses, finishing with the cake covered in berries.
Then he took me by the hands and made to lead me up the stairs to the newly begun second story. I noticed for the first time that the pallet we had been sleeping on in the kitchen was no longer there. He made me close my eyes as he led me into the only completed second story room - our bedroom. I heard a noise, small and distinct, familiar and at the same time somehow strange.
"Ok, you can open them, now."
(cont.)