The Brat Page 0,76

been like before, and had not taken over the master bedchamber upon returning to find his father dead and Gaynor in chaos. He'd taken one look at the ruined room and decided to make his way to the garrison to bunk with the men who had gone off to battle with him.

He couldn't imagine that his wife would be able to make the room inhabitable in such a short time, but he was pleasantly surprised upon reaching the open door. The filthy rushes that had coated the bedroom floor had been removed and the floor swept clean, furs thrown down beside the bed and in front of the fire to make it more comfortable, presumably until fresh rushes could be gathered and strewn. Furs had also been hung over the rickety shutters at the windows. The smelly, molding, rotted curtains had been removed from the bed and fresh linens and furs now covered that as well.

A fire had been set in the fireplace. It wasn't really needed at this time of year, but something sweet had been added to the wood to fill the room with a much more attractive scent than the overpowering and unpleasant stench Balan recalled from the last time he'd entered.

His gaze slid over the hard work done and to the two females in the room. Murie and Juliana. The little girl stood in front of the fireplace wearing a pale yellow gown that was a little big on her.

"Osgoode thought you were about the size of Lady Greyville's daughter, and so we used her for sizing," Murie was explaining as she finished the fastenings of the gown. "'Tis obvious the girl is a bit bigger than you, but you shall grow into it quickly, and we can put temporary stitches in until you do."

Juliana was silent, her eyes wide as she touched the frock.

"And mayhap we can do something about your hair tomorrow," Murie suggested gently.

"I cut it myself," Julianna admitted, putting a self-conscious hand to her head.

"And you did a fine job," Murie assured her quickly. "But 'tis difficult to cut your own hair, and there are a couple of places where it could use evening out."

Juliana nodded and confessed, "I thought if I looked more like a boy, my father might like me better."

Balan felt his heart squeeze at these pain-filled words and silently cursed his father for neglecting his sister. In his pain, the man had cared little about the suffering he was causing his child. Balan had tried to reason with him, but - obstinate as ever - he'd just waved the words away and refused to discuss Juliana.

"Oh," Murie breathed, and Balan could feel her empathy for the child. She bowed her head and was silent a moment, then straightened and took the girl by the shoulders. Solemnly she said, "I am sure he liked you fine in his deepest heart, Juliana, but men have trouble expressing themselves sometimes."

"Nuh-uh." The child shook her head. "He showed anger well enough."

"Aye, well, that seems easy enough for all of them to show," Murie agreed dryly. She added, " 'Tis the finer emotions they have trouble with."

"He hated me because I killed Momma," Juliana said, her eyes suddenly afraid. It seemed obvious to Balan she feared Murie would no longer like her once she knew this fact, or what the girl thought was fact, and he found himself squeezing his fingers around the trencher hard enough to crush the crusty, hollowed-out bread.

"You did not kill your mother, Juliana," Murie said in a firm voice. "She fell ill with a fever after giving birth to you. That was not your fault. It happens sometimes, and no one can say why - else we could stop it. It could happen to me, and it would not be my child's fault," she added, and Balan felt his eyes widen at the horrible suggestion. But she continued: "And I hope you would love and comfort my child for me in my stead, did that happen, not blame it for something it was not responsible for."

"Aye," Juliana promised solemnly.

"Good." Murie smiled at the girl and stepped back. "I think you look lovely in the dress. Howbeit, mayhap you should remove it until we can take it in and take up the hem. I would not see you trip and come to harm on the stairs."

Nodding, Juliana allowed her to undo and lift the gown clear.

"Will I still be able to play with Frederick in the dress?" the