Avelina told her all about Irma’s betrayal, about the wolves’ attack, and Lord Thornbeck saving her. She showed her the bandaged ankle. “It doesn’t hurt as much now. I can still walk on it if I have to.”
Magdalen threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. “Thank You, God,” she breathed, her voice fervent, “for protecting Avelina, and for Lord Thornbeck.”
Tears sprung to Avelina’s eyes at her friend’s sincere concern for her safety.
Suddenly another knock came at the door. A maidservant was there with a piece of paper. “From Lord Thornbeck for Avelina.”
Magdalen took the note and brought it to Avelina, who unfolded it.
Do not think of leaving again. You are to stay until your ankle heals, and until I have had time to consider your request.
Thornbeck
She handed the note to Magdalen. “At least he’s not throwing me in the dungeon.”
Magdalen read it quickly. “What was your request?”
“I asked him to save Plimmwald if the Duke of Geitbart attacked. I know he must hate Lord Plimmwald after he sent me in his daughter’s place, but I begged him not to be angry with him . . . What?”
Magdalen was shaking her head. “No. No begging. And no behaving like a servant girl around Lord Thornbeck. You are a person just like me, like the Earl of Plimmwald’s daughter, like anyone else at this castle.”
Avelina had never heard Magdalen sound so forceful or look so adamant.
“None of this was your fault. You simply followed the orders of your lord, and the margrave should understand that. If he doesn’t, then . . . that’s not your fault either.” She ended with a firm, quick nod. “He chose you from among all these ladies, and he cannot discard you like a worn-out garment or treat you like a lowly . . . It just will not do.”
“But he has to send me away. He cannot marry me. The king would not allow it.”
“He doesn’t have to marry you, but he does have to treat you with respect.”
“I like the way you think, Magdalen, but I cannot make demands on Lord Thornbeck. I have nothing to bargain with, no leverage. I need him to save Plimmwald. I have a father and a little brother and sister whom I dearly love. I cannot let anything happen to them if I can help it.”
Magdalen simply did not understand what it was like to be a servant. It was a different life, a different way of thinking. If begging saved her family and her people, then she would beg.
“Even a servant can demand respect, Avelina. Look at Hegatha. Everyone respects her. She demands no less.”
“I’m no Hegatha,” Avelina said ruefully.
“You don’t have to be exactly like Hegatha to demand respect.”
It was something Avelina had never thought about, and yet, she had very often thought about the disparity between the way Lady Dorothea was treated and Avelina herself was treated. Was the difference more because she did not insist that people respect her, instead of the fact that she was born the daughter of a stable worker?
“Remember what I am telling you, Avelina. If my mother has taught me anything, it’s that a woman must demand respect.”
What she said made sense. “But I don’t think Lord Thornbeck has any reason to care about me anymore. To him I’m only a servant. And he’d only known me for two weeks.”
“It was long enough for him to decide he wanted to marry you.”
But short enough for him to forget about her and send her to the servants’ quarters.
“I will not have you sleeping here tonight,” Magdalen said. “I’ll be back soon.”
She left, and after perhaps half an hour, Magdalen returned with one of Lord Thornbeck’s guards.
“Carry her gently,” Magdalen instructed the guard. “She’s injured.”
Magdalen gave Avelina a wink.
She submitted to being carried for about the fifth time in the last few days. She was beginning to get used to it.
The poor guard had to carry her up many stairs and two floors to the bedchamber she had slept in since her arrival. Magdalen walked up with them.
“Did you get Lord Thornbeck’s permission?” Avelina asked as soon as she was back in her bed and the guard had left.
“Yes. I told him you were injured and he should not leave you in the servants’ quarters, which you were not accustomed to even when you were Lady Dorothea’s own maidservant. I was very indignant, and he consented for you to stay in your room until your ankle was healed.”