this morning. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth considered what it must be like for a woman to peer into a future without a husband. She was sure that her father would be well soon enough, but the thought of facing a future without a husband suddenly seemed real and frightening to her. It must be especially frightening to a woman the age of her mother. At once, Elizabeth's concern with Richard leaving to go to Bourne had a new sense of dread.
Richard walked into the Master Glazier's shoppe and looked around at the surroundings that he had become so accustomed to. He could smell the smoke from the fire and hear the billows that stoked it hot. He could smell the sheep urine that was occasionally used as a cutting agent. Long tables filled the room, and windows in various stages of completion lay upon the tables. Finished windows awaiting delivery to their final destination lined two of the walls.
'So, this is your last dee,' said a voice from behind Richard. It was the Master Glazier. 'I suppose that you did nay think that this dee wuld ever comb.'
'Aye,' replied Richard with a little wistfulness in his voice.
'Well, comb it 'as,' stated the Master Glazier. 'You are a fine glazier, Richard. I will give you a let'er of reference stating that you are a journeyman now.'
'I am grateful to you, sir.'
'I wish that I culd keep you 'ere, boot we just do nay have enuf work for me to pay you a journeyman's wage and me new apprentice begins todee,' explained the Master Glazier.
'You 'ave been a gud teacher. That is all that I needed, sir.'
Richard finished the day and welcomed the new apprentice. He felt that he saw a reflection of himself in the lad. It seemed so long ago that he had walked into this shoppe for the first time. Now he was starting a new life. It struck him how much had changed in a month, with his marriage to Elizabeth and the completion of his apprenticeship. He felt good about the future.
Richard was not able to return from the market with Elizabeth and her brothers, but back at Burghley, Richard found Elizabeth and her mother caring for her father. Her father rallied when Richard came in because he didn't want his illness to stop Richard from seeking work in Bourne.
'I am proud of you, Richard,' said Elizabeth's father. 'So now you are a journeyman. When will you leave for Bourne?'
'I will nay leave until you are bet'er,' promised Richard.
'Nay, you will nay stay. We will be fine. I am feeling bet'er already. The boys will 'elp me. It is time for them to become men,' asserted Elizabeth's father.
Richard glanced at Elizabeth and her mother. They nodded that he should obey the will of her father.
'Aye, I will leave tomorrow, boot I will be back soon enuf,' replied Richard.
That night Richard sang a song to Elizabeth that he had written for her.
"Faire Maiden, "Flower of Youth", From whence forth springth thy charm?
Commanding attention. Over none thou doth loom, But, mighty ones are disarmed.
Thy voice, as sweet as all arias sung, Calms the most covetous clamor.
A pavilion of grace to which all may come, Thy presence a delicious nectar.
How canst thou forgive this gargoyle face? Loveliness escaped me at birth.
But, I can offer thee in its place A loyalty that is beyond worth."
Elizabeth smiled and her face beamed and she asked Richard to sign it again as she hummed along. Soon, they fell asleep in each others arms.
The next morning, Richard watched Elizabeth sleep for a moment and gently kissed her on the forehead. She was so sweet and lovely he thought. She seemed so tired that he didn't want to wake her. Before he quietly left the room, he left for her a note that he had written:
"Fair Maiden, I love you with all me heart. I will be back to you soon enough. Until then, I will sing the song and think of you every day. - Richard"
A heavy fog hung over the entire area when Richard left Burghley. It was so thick that as he passed through Stamford the buildings on the side of the road were barely visible. He felt as though he were traveling through a dream. There were few people in the streets at this early hour and Richard passed though Stamford quietly without seeing anyone that he recognized.
He expected that he could be at Bourne by midday. He