Courtly Love by Lynn M. Bartlett Read Free Book Online

deposited.
    Suddenly, Serena felt that she was being watched, and she pivoted swiftly on her knees to find a small boy studying her curiously.
    "Hello." Alert hazel eyes sparkled as a shy grin spread over his face. "I'm Alan. What's your name?"
    Serena released the breath she realized she had been holding. Had she really expected her husband to seek her out? "Serena."
    "Oh! so you're Lady Serena." She was just about to ask what he meant when, in the way of all children, Alan's mind went directly to what fascinated him. With a stubby forefinger he pointed behind her. "What's that?" With the back of her hand, Serena pushed back a tendril of hair that had tumbled over her forehead and smiled. "I'm planting a garden."
    "Are you going to grow carrots? Horses like carrots, you know."
    "This isn't that kind of garden. I'm planting seeds that will make people well."
    "Oh." Alan's face was crestfallen. "Is somebody sick?"
    Serena laughed. "No, Alan, at least not that I know of. But if someone does fall ill, then I may be able to help them. I'll tell you what." Serena continued as she saw Alan was still disappointed in her choice of gardens. "If you will help me, we will plant some carrots, but only if you promise to take me along when you feed the horses."
    Alan nodded in vigorous agreement and fell to his knees beside Serena. He was like a pup digging for a bone and had soon covered himself as well as Serena with dirt. When all the beds had been worked, Serena retired to the shade of a tree with Alan close on her heels. She wiped her hands on her skirt, and Alan following suit, cleaned his on his shirt. He watched eagerly as Serena opened her book and began flipping through its pages. His face grew puzzled as he watched her. "What's that?" The question had been asked so often that afternoon that Serena wanted to laugh, but seeing Alan's serious expression she answered in the same vein.
    " Tis a book that I've kept since I was a child. I've written down what herbs are used for what ailments, the growing times for each, and what they need to grow well." Serena flipped a few more pages. "Back here are different potions for fevers and wounds and the like." Serena offered him the book and Alan accepted it eagerly, his hands caressing the leather reverently.
    "My father says that when I am older I will learn to read and write."
    Serena smiled but said nothing. The boy was bright, intelligent; but he had no chance for an education as the child of a serf. What a waste! But ... an idea grew in the back of her mind. Perhaps Gyles would allow her to keep the child as a page, and that way she could see to his education. Serena dropped an assortment of seeds in Alan's chubby hands, and they returned to their work. "Where do you live, Alan?"
    "Here." Alan was more intent upon putting the seeds in the ground than with answering questions.
    "Yes, Alan, I know you live in the village, but where?"
    "Here!" The small boy's voice was exasperated as he pointed to the castle. "My room is up there." The finger moved, indicating a room near Gyles's chamber.
    "Does your mother work in the castle?" No doubt that was the case, Serena thought with a smile, and Alan —in the way of children—was embroidering upon reality.
    "My mother's dead." The tiny voice held no grief. "Father said she died when I was born." Again the grin. "Father says I look like her."
    As she studied his face more closely, Serena thought Alan greatly resembled someone else. The gnawing thought grew in the back of her mind: If the nose were a bit longer, the face leaner, the eyes green instead of hazel. . . . No, it wasn't possible! And yet, why hadn't she seen Alan before? Had he been purposely hidden from her? And if he had, it could only mean . . . Any doubts were dispelled when Alan scrambled to his feet and hurled himself toward an approaching figure with a glad shout.
    "Father! Come see what we've done." Alan tugged on the large, outstretched hand with all his might.
    The broad