In stacking the aprons and pinafores away in the large linen closet off the kitchen, Bethberry noticed tiny stains on them. She peered closer. Tiny drops of blood with a smear or two.
"Hmm," Bethberry thought to herself. "Giedd is still pricking herself with her needle." The Innkeeper sighed. She pulled the batch of new clothes out of the closet and dumped them in the laundry bin. She did miss the work of the seamstress Estelyn but she knew that Giedd needed the money. Perhaps her strategy of waiting and hoping that the woman would become more adept was not going to work. Bethberry disliked the thought of mentioning the problem to Giedd but she realised finally that she would have to. Wondering if the woman was still at the Horse, Bethberry sought the Great Hall, picking up a steaming mug of coffee on her way.
There, what did she spy! Why, if luck or fate would have it, there was Eodwine introducing himself to the very woman she had thought of when he sought her advice about a wife. But what a titter was about their table! Garreth and Harreld were puffing and huffing and turning a dozen shades of blush and rising from their chairs and bowing and knocking heads and laughing in that nervous kind of way. Eodwine was escorting Giedd to their table, with Gudryn shyly hanging her head. What a way to start the affair!
Bethberry greeted the table cheerily. "The sun rises warmly on our endeavours today. Good morn, Eodwine. How is the family today?" With that comment, she smiled warmly at Gudryn. "And our twin hereos, are they prepared to find their fate and lady loves?" The twins glared at her and so Bethberry decided a strategic retreat was called for. With a nod and smile, she took a seat beside Ruthven, whose eyes were brimming with wicked humour even at this early hour, and waited for Eodwine to reply. Or anyone, really. It was the kind of morning when the best laid plans went stray.
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