will return soon. 'e promised Elizabeth that 'e wuld comb for 'er and comb 'e will if 'e is yet alive. Nuthing changes if we wait a few more dees.'
Gleda held Lind close and still crying, laid her face on his chest. 'I just want me boys back.'
Lind looked over Gleda's head at the surrounding farm. He wanted his boys back also. He needed the help. He realized that he was no longer a young man, in fact he was feeling a little tired. Yes, he also wanted his boys back. His relationship with Richard had been somewhat strained since Richard had learned that Lind was not his real father, but Lind loved Richard just the same. As he thought about this and the possibility that he would not see Richard again, he also found that his breathing was shallow and rapid and a lump had formed in his throat.
Chapter Nine
November 1437
The remainder of the trip to Trowell was made even more unbearable by the news that Bromley had delivered to Elizabeth and her family. She hadn't yet told her mother and father that she was pregnant and didn't think that she would be able to conceal it from them for much longer. She held out hope that Richard was yet alive and would find her.
The family passed south of Nottingham on their way to Trowell. In the distance, Elizabeth could see the large church of the towne. She thought that it must be a grand church and she longed to be there. She thought that Nottingham looked like a beautiful towne and she was looking forward to living near it. Surely it would have a large market.
Before they reached Trowell, Elizabeth changed back into her own clothing. It was so nice to look like a woman again. She decided though that her father was probably right in having her dress the way he had. Traveling had its risks and traveling with a man who was ill, left them with little protection. The men's clothing had been a reasonable means of reducing the risk.
They entered Trowell on the Nottingham road and passed the small village church of Saint Helen's.
Trowell was a small village with only a few houses near the church. Her father's sister didn't actually live in the village, but just outside on the road to Ilkeston. There were few people on the village street when they passed through and those that were there stopped what they were doing to stare at the wagon loaded with household items and the strangers with it.
Elizabeth's father perked up some as they started on the Ilkeston road. He had been telling the family about his sister and his brother-in-law and he was anticipating the reunion. Elizabeth and her brothers had never met them and her brothers wondered whether there would be cousins their ages. Elizabeth's father was sure that they would find a welcomed respite there until he recovered.
As they neared the cottage, it seemed very quiet. There were no animals in the pasture. The shelter for the animals stood in disrepair. It was clear that something was not right. As they passed by the large oak trees that were partially obscuring the view, they came in full view of the cottage. It was only a shell. The thatched roof had evidently caught fire some time ago. The roof lay crumpled in a heap in the middle of the standing four stone walls. Other than the chimney, that was all that was standing. The family looked aghast upon the sight. Elizabeth didn't know when she had ever seen a more horrifying sight. Where would they go now?
'Whot will we do now?' cried Elizabeth's mother. 'Where will we go?'
'I do nay know,' sighed her father. He had sunk down into the wagon and the energy had left him.
Her brothers were rummaging around in the burned out shell.
'Get oot of there,' yelled her mother. Elizabeth sensed that her mother was seriously strained by this new discovery. Her mother got down off the wagon and fell on the grass and cried.
Elizabeth's father laid his head back against the wagon and closed his eyes. She didn't think that she had ever seen him in such despair.
'Father,' whispered Elizabeth. She didn't want to cause her mother any further distress. 'Where will we go? We can nay stay 'ere. It will be dark soon and it is get'ing cold.'
'We still 'ave a lit'le muney,' replied her father without opening his eyes. 'We will stay in the inn that