Ordained by God

Section Twenty- Four

Garlands overtook each home in Winshire and created a festive glow to the city. The men had taken the day off to spend their time decorating the homes while the women prepared bread. Next to All Hollow’s Eve, Lammas was Clement’s favourite holiday for it was not religious in its nature. Although Rome did force it’s influence into this holiday. But the meaning was simple; let the harvest be a success!

Julia, Clement’s mother, took Garrett from Marjorie with a smile. “Oh, my grandson. Look how much he looks like you,” she said to Clement.

“Yes; it’s clear he’s mine.” His words were of a jesting nature but Julia did not laugh or smile. Clement huffed at his mother’s lack of humour. But nothing was going to spoil this holiday with his son and wife.

With a swig of ale, Clement grabbed Marjorie’s waist and twirled her around. Clement swept her into the circle of women as he stood opposite of her with the men. Their palms pressed together lightly through the song as their bodies drew away only to come close again. Their eyes never left each other’s stare. They weaved around the other dancers but it was like they were the only two people alive. 

As soon as the song ended, Clement wrapped his hands around Marjorie’s waist and lifted her into the air.  She smiled down at him. Setting her down, he started to laugh. “Sorry, I do not know what came over me. I must be ill.” 

Before Clement could carry on with his joke of sickness to excuse his random actions, Marjorie kissed him. “You are a fool,” she said lightly.

He rested his hand son her hips and pulled her close to him. A few men, under the influence of too much ale, hollered at the spectacle of love. Marjorie smirked instead of most ladies who would blush. But that only made Clement love her more. There were no bones or muscles in her body that new the art of submission.  Neither Clement nor Marjorie seemed to care that people were watching them. There were no pretensions to uphold. “Ma,” Clement called toward his mother. “Can you take care of Robby tonight?”

“All my pleasure. He’s a sweet little lad.”

Clement smiled and took Marjorie’s hand. Leading her away from the feast, they stumbled back to their home in the darkness.

After shutting their door, Marjorie began kissing Clement’s neck, but there was something about his actions that caused her to stop. “What’s wrong?” she snapped. 

Shrugging Clement sat down by the table and pulled Marjorie onto his lap. “I was just thinking.”

Marjorie sighed. “Of course you were. What was it this time? Why God is so vile?”

Clement laughed incredulously and shook his head. What could he say he was thinking about? There were too many things; his happiness, his increase in wealth; his son...how perfect his life was becoming since he stopped thinking and speaking to Lady Eleanor. He looked at her with hunger. He took her face in her hands and tilted her head downward to kiss her forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

They were silent for a moment before Clement spoke. “You know, I’m doing well this year; people seem to be purchasing hides more often than before. I wonder why though.”

Ever since his apprentice ended, people in Winshire were more eager to purchase from the tanners than ever before.  They mostly bought material for belt, pouches, gloves and shoes but the occasional jerkin.  At first, Clement brushed it off thinking there was just a simple surplus of wealth spreading around the city that allowed people the luxury to purchase an extra idem or too. But this phenomenon had been going on for too long for Clement not to notice it too much.

“Because you make such good leather.”

Clement shook his head. “I’m mediocre at best.”

“Does it matter? There’s more money for us; we can finally afford to eat meat.”

That was true; Clement should not feel the uneasiness that he was feeling. But there was something wrong about the sudden influx. It was almost as if the King- or someone of rank- was ordering this.  Clement could not rationalize why his thoughts were of this nature. But he knew that was preposterous.  But with the sudden influx that began just before Garrett was born, Clement was able to build the second floor of their home.

Changing the subject, he asked, “Do you regret marrying me?”

“What? Why would you say that?”

Clement wanted to say, because Lady Eleanor may be pregnant with my child but instead he said, “I know you say you love me, but do you?”

“When I know you love me, then I love you. But you don’t always love me. Sometimes, you love your thoughts too much.”