The New Life
a novel by Mark Robert Whitten
Chapter 14
Soldiers were everywhere. They filled the front yard, the backyard and the area beyond. Even the road was blocked by them. Jess had never seen so many of them in one place. They were at full attention, as if waiting for some signal, some order to begin a rampage. The silence was dense, the only sound coming from the area being a snort of a horse or the flap of a flag in the wind. Jess felt panic race through him.
His home was at the center of the army.
As they made their way through the silent crowd, Jess squinted against the shine of their armor. He recognized the uniforms of the men; they were from Leslie's castle. He couldn't imagine what they were doing at his home. Father moved between them, unafraid and Jess stayed close, not wanting to be alone with such grim-looking men.
Father quickened his pace as they neared the house. He called out to mother. She answered for him to come inside. As father rushed through the front flap, Jess followed.
They both came to a halt just inside the door.
There, in the common room, stood a man Jess didn't know. He was as tall as father. In his fine red coat and fancy clothes, he looked to be about the most important man Jess had ever seen. He looked down at Jess and smiled. Jess peered past the man to his mother. Father kept an eye on the stranger as he rushed to mother's side. He heard mother whispering that everything was fine. She looked at Jess expectantly. He knew something was wrong, but she said nothing, just motioned for him to come over to them.
Cautiously, Jess walked over to his parents, never taking his eyes off the strange man. He wondered who this man was, what he wanted, and if he was dangerous.
As he came around to stand in front of the important man, Jess caught sight of the fine sword sheathed at his hip—a real sword, Jess noted, not some willow stick. The fine silver crossguard glistened when the light caught it right, almost as if it were winking at him. It appeared as fancy as the man's clothes. Jess wished he could touch the fancy sword—maybe hold it for a moment, but he didn't dare ask.
Jess started when his mother nudged his shoulder. As he gazed up at the stranger, he began to speak.
"Jess," he began, "My name is William. Duke William Burke."
Jess felt his jaw drop. William Burke was the name of the Duke—Leslie's father. Jess worked hard to close his mouth and listened carefully as the Duke went on.
"I'm here on behalf of my daughter, Leslie," he continued. "Jess, I wanted to thank you for taking care of her while I was away."
As he stared up into the man's kind eyes, he wondered what he was supposed to say. He knew he was supposed to bow before nobility, but he hadn't. He thought better of trying to make up for it now, certain that the moment had passed. Unsure what to say, he simply blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. "You're Leslie's father!"
It was just about the stupidest thing he had ever heard himself say.
The man didn't laugh, like Jess expected, instead giving a short dip of his head. "Lord Burke, of the House of Burke," he announced, as if addressing a king.
Jess felt his face go red as he gave an awkward, halting bow at the waist. He wasn't sure if he did it right, but the man didn't correct him. He was glad his parents were there or he might have run off screaming. He couldn't believe it. This was the most powerful man in all the land and he was standing right in front of Jess, talking to him like he actually mattered. The Duke smiled and began speaking again. Jess hung on every word.
"As I was just telling your mother, I came here to see you and to reward your bravery."
Jess swallowed. "M-my bravery, Sir?"
Lord Burke nodded. "My daughter told me about what you did for her—" his gaze took in the rest of the family. "What you all did for her. I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my little girl while I was gone."
Jess smiled. He had never in his life thought of Leslie as a little girl, but he figured her father certainly must. Jess thought about everything that had happened. He thought about how much fun Leslie and he had together. He also thought about the last time he had seen her and thought maybe this man didn't know everything that he had "done for her."
Jess licked his lips. "S-so, Leslie… told you about me?" He tried to keep his voice steady as he ventured the question, his eyes locked onto the sword at Burke's hip. He wondered if he would be cut down when Lord Burke found out about how he had run.
"Yes," Duke William continued. "She told me all about you and your family and about how you recently saved her from a group of brigands." The man reached into his pocket and produced something. He leaned down and whispered, "She said that you were very brave."
Jess thought back to the time they went to town. The "brigands" had been Fulcher and Hoager and Jess remembered giving one of them a fat lip and the other running away.
Jess didn't like being called brave. He didn't think he was brave; he simply did what he had needed to do. He wondered how Leslie had told her father about the incident. Knowing Leslie, she had probably spun a great yarn about a hundred big ugly men attacking her and Jess fighting valiantly against impossible odds. He tried not to laugh as he suddenly felt himself blushing at Leslie's description of the events. He figured he must be a great disappointment to this man who had come all the way from the castle to see the "mighty hero" who had saved his daughter's life. Jess had always loved Leslie's stories but he never thought he would become part of one. He sighed at her ability to nettle him from so far away. He really liked that about her, but she had still lied to him and that wasn't right.
Being called a hero in front of his family was even worse. Brenda and Ellie would never stop mocking him for his "courage."
Leslie had hurt him again.
Burke's voice brought him around. "I think this should do for repayment."
He held out the something he had produced from his coat. Jess stared in open wonder.
It was a gold mark.
He figured his whole family could live off it for a month. Lord Burke pressed the coin into Jess' hand. "I want you to have it—for protecting her." He smiled. "You've earned it."
Jess didn't know what to do with such a fortune. He offered it to his father, but he only crossed his arms and shook his head. His mother wouldn't take it either, so he reluctantly slipped it into his pocket. He knew better than to offer it to Ellie or Brenda and May belle would only lose it. He noticed the envious looks on his older sister's faces and tried not to smile as he looked up at Lord Burke when he spoke again.
"Of course I didn't just come all this way to give you a coin, Jess. I came here for my daughter."
"Leslie?"
"Yes. It seems she's become quite upset—she's been inconsolable ever since you left."
"Inconsol…what?"
"Crying, Jess. She's taken to her bed. She's broken-hearted."
The words hit Jess like a hammer. He didn't know what she was so upset about but he had a pretty good idea. He didn't think she had cared about him, that she was just playing him for a fool. He realized now how wrong he had been. Now he realized he was such a fool—but not because of Leslie.
Jess still didn't know what Lord Burke was doing in his home, but the thought occurred to him that he might have come looking for revenge. He didn't venture the guess, instead preferring to hear Lord Burke's explanation.
"My daughter is upset and that makes my wife and me very upset. I am not one to mince words, Jess, so I will get to the point: I want you to work for me."
Jess blinked. He wasn't sure he heard him right.
"My lord?"
The duke gestured expansively. "I need someone to look after my daughter, to keep her out of trouble." He leaned close and whispered, "As you probably know, she can be quite a handful sometimes."
Jess knew the truth of that; Leslie was trouble on two legs. She always seemed to find new ways to get him into trouble, too. It seemed that even now that she had succeeded. Lord burke was still waiting for an answer, so Jess swallowed the dryness in his throat and tried not to faint. "I-I'm not sure I understand what you want me to do, my Lord."
"I want you to work for me," he repeated. "I need someone I can trust to look after my daughter. Your mother and I have decided that you, Jess, are the right man for the job."
Jess' heart pounded. Man. Lord Burke had called him a man. He had never been called that before. He felt strange, as if being called man had somehow transformed him. He was now a man, named by a noble. He still wasn't sure what all this meant so he paid close attention as Lord Burke continued.
"You would serve my family directly and stay with Leslie at all times. You would have to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't get herself into any more trouble."
Suddenly, Jess understood. He had heard of such things happening to others but he never thought it would happen to him. He was to work for the nobility! He would have a chance to make something of himself, to achieve great things. Normally the only way anyone got to work for the nobility was if they were born servants or had a relative who put a good word in for them. Jess' family had never been around nobility, so Jess never thought it possible. The implications were staggering. He thought he might fall over. It seemed like some impossible dream, like some Leslie story, about dragons and witches and flying through the sky. He continued to stare in silent wonder as Burke explained his new position.
"Of course, you couldn't wear those… clothes. You'll be properly attired. All my family's servants wear properly tailored livery." He gestured to Jess' bare feet. "That includes boots. All my servants wear boots. Your hair will have to be brushed and your teeth kept clean and you'll have to bathe everyday."
Jess blushed as he glanced down. He never thought much about what must be his scruffy, filthy look. He always thought he looked fine. He guessed he was wrong.
"And you'd live at the castle, too, of course," Lord Burke said. "You'd have your own room, with a bed—not a pallet, a bed. The bed will have sheets. You'll have to make your bed everyday and keep your own room orderly, but the staff will wash the sheets and your uniform.
"You'll also have to learn to read and write."
"I can read, my lord," Jess interrupted. "Leslie taught me."
"Good." Lord Burke nodded. "You'll take other classes as well; classes in etiquette and decorum—how to act like a proper gentleman. You'll also have a chance to learn about history, geography, mathematics and politics. And you won't be alone, of course; Leslie will be there with you."
Leslie. Just the sound of her name made him ache with guilt at the thought of what he had done to her. He had thought she didn't care about him. He was wrong. She did care about him. She wanted to be his friend.
And he had run away.
"What if Leslie doesn't want to be my friend?"
Lord Burke stopped a moment and looked down at him. "I don't think we have to worry about that, Jess. She misses you terribly."
"She does?"
He nodded. "She wants very much to see you again."
Jess felt his breath let go with relief. It was wonderful. He was going to be with Leslie and wear fine clothes and learn to read and write and who knew what else? He realized he was standing up straighter.
"Well, Jess, what do you say? Think you're up to the task of serving my family?"
Jess grinned and nodded eagerly. "Yes, My Lord!"
Lord Burke smiled. "Wonderful! I'll send for you as soon as you're ready to leave. Just pack your things and be ready by the end of the week."
Now Jess was confused. "The end of the week? Couldn't we leave now?"
The Duke laughed. "Eager to sleep in the castle, eh, Jess?" Jess was eager to see Leslie again. "Well, you'll have to wait a little while; there are arrangements to be made, papers to be signed and such." He waved off the matter. "It shouldn't take more than a few days."
Jess acceded and took the man's hand as he offered it. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much." He didn't know what else to say. He thought a moment. He was so excited about the prospect of living with Leslie and working for nobility that he had forgotten his chores. He glanced back at his parents. Mother was smiling and near tears. Jess assumed she was filled with pride. Father looked at him with his usual indifference. Ellie and Brenda were glaring at him. Jess savored their bitter expressions and turned back to his new Lord. "But, what about my family?" he asked. "I have a bunch of chores and errands to do for them. What if they need me?"
"They would be paid for your absence. I am prepared to offer them substantial compensation."
Jess gave him a questioning look.
Lord Burke leaned down and whispered to him. "I'll pay them for you."
"How much?"
His father thumped his head and mother scowled in warning. Jess had obviously crossed a line with his question. He hadn't meant any harm—he was only worried it wouldn't be enough.
"Three gold marks," Lord Burke told him. Jess felt dizzy at the amount. "A month," the Duke added. Jess nearly fell over.
If he worked solid for ten more years, Jess was certain he wouldn't be worth nearly that much. He wanted to beg off the payment but as he struggled to find the words, Lord Burke handed the coins to his father. Just like that, it was done. His future was secure.
Lord Burke looked down at Jess and smiled. "Jess, I'll see you in a week." The transaction complete, Lord Burke headed out. He waved back at Jess as he climbed into his carriage and departed. Jess thought of something just then.
Running up to the coach, he staggered up to the door. "Lord Burke?"
Lord burke looked through the window at him. "What is it?"
"Could you tell Leslie something for me?" He heaved a heavy sigh. "Tell her… I'm sorry."
Lord Burke smiled and nodded that he would. "I think that it would mean more coming from you, Jess."
Jess agreed and promised to tell her as soon as he saw her again. Lord Burke thanked him and smiled as the carriage pulled away. Jess stood in the road awhile watching him leave, thinking about Leslie and everything that was coming.
He wasn't sure if he could be friends with Leslie anymore, but he was willing to try.
He only hoped she was willing to forgive him.