Nicholas and Bess - part 7 (ii)

[girlyswot]

There was no sleep for Nick that night.  Humfrey noticed the next day his unusually heavy eyes and dull manner.  'Heavy night?'  He sounded a little aggrieved not to have been invited.

'Not like that.'  Nick sounded as if he didn't want to talk about it.

'Come skating after lunch?  The ice is nearly going and the boys are planning a race.'

'Not today, Humfrey.'

'Very well.' 

'I'm sorry Humfrey.  I can't tell you what is wrong but I must have a little time alone to think.  Perhaps on Sunday, if Bess…'  His voice trailed off and Humfrey saw a tear creep out of his friend's eye.  He clapped Nick on the shoulder and spoke bracingly, 'Any time, Nick.  If there's anything I can do to help?'

'No.  No, I must solve this myself.'

After several miserable days, even Ned realised that something was wrong.

'I thought everything was settled between you and Bess?'

'What?'  Nick looked up from his empty sheet of paper.  'It is, I think.'

'Then why the long face?  You've been moping like a lovesick boy for days.  Not bouncing around the house in that irritatingly cheerful way.'  Nick managed a smile in acknowledgement but proffered no explanation.

Edmund drew up a chair.

'You'd have told Will your troubles?'

Nicholas nodded, concentrating on preventing the tear he could feel forming in his eye from escaping.

'Well I don't pretend to his superior wisdom, but if you think it would help…'  He spread his arms to invite confidence.

                Nick was about to decline when suddenly he wondered if Edmund might not be the very person to advise.  He must surely know women of Nancy's kind.  Perhaps even Nancy herself…

                Haltingly, embarrassed, he poured out his naïve story, wincing at Ned's shout of laughter, hiding his head in his hands.

                'What should I do?  I dare not call her bluff.  If Dickon were to hear of this…  Oh God, and Bess.'  He let out a cry of anguish and took a swig of Edmund's ale.

                'No, my God.  Dickon would not appreciate this tale.  I should know!  And his own daughter!  Nick, you have got yourself into a sorry state.'

                'Yes, but how may I get out?  I paid her, that once.  But I cannot go on doing so.  And when I am married…  Besides, I don't want to see her again.  She sickens me.'

                'Hmm.'  Ned was thoughtful.  'Where did you say her lodgings were?'

                Nick told him, hopefully.  'Have you a plan?'

                'Not one I can tell you, child.'  Nick usually resented that look which made him feel all a schoolboy again but in his relief he hardly noticed it now.

                'Thank you, Ned.' 

                'Silly boy.  After that wench in Oxford, too.  If you're going to wed Dickon's girl, you're going to need to learn to say no to women like this Nancy of yours.'

                'Yes.'  Nick thought about this.  'But you don't, do you?'

                'Ah!  Now that, my child, is an entirely different matter.  I enter into business arrangements of mutual satisfaction.  Much enjoyment and no consequences.'

                'None?' Nick raised an eyebrow.

                'Not yet,' Ned laughed reluctantly.  'Well, not as far as I know.'

                Two days later, Edmund pulled Nicholas aside after rehearsal.  'No more trouble, lad.'

                'Truly?'  Nick's eyes opened wide.

                'Well, not from that quarter.  I won't guarantee you'll never fall headlong into another scrape.'

                'Thank you, Ned.  I… don't know what I would have done.'

                He looked embarrassed and clapped the younger boy round the shoulder.

                'Did… did it cost you anything, Ned?  I would not have you pay for me.'

                'No need for that, lad.  I called in a favour or two, that was all.'

It was a light-hearted suitor who called for Bess on Sunday.  They would join the boys on the river for the last time, then take their lesson later when it was past dark.  Nick laughed and revelled like a young child, tossing snowballs at Simon and Humfrey, whirling Bess off her feet and kissing her when she was least expecting it.  His enthusiasm was infectious and they made a merry party, sharing hot chestnuts which Nick bought for a penny from a seller under the bridge.

                'Cold?'  Nick looked at the flushed cheeks of his girl.

                'I hadn't noticed,' she smiled, putting up a hand to feel her cheek.

                He took her face in his hands and drew her close.  His breath was warm on her cold skin and she shivered at his touch.

                'Come on, let's leave the others.  I want to talk to you.'  He pulled her along with him until they were a little way from the crowds.

                'Bess.  I know I hurt you very badly, two months ago.  That… that woman was nothing to me.  I never cared for her nor she for me.  Oh darling, I would to God I had never done it.  I never meant to hurt you.  I want you to know that she… is gone from my life.  There will be no more women, Bess.  Only you… if you will have me?'  He looked pleadingly up at her.  'I had thought, these past few Sundays, you seemed pleased with me again, love?'

                She was not looking at his face.  Her eyes were fixed on the ice but she felt his warm, strong hands take hold of her gloved ones.

                'Nick.'  Her voice was vibrant with love and fear.

                'Am I too late, love?  Have I put myself entirely beyond forgiveness?'  He spoke low so that she had to move close to hear his voice.

                'No.  Not too late, but…'  He bent his fair head over her dark curly one.

                'Tell me, sweetheart.'  He squeezed her hands, reassuringly.

                'Of course I forgive you, Nick.  I love you.  But… how do I know I can trust you?'  She looked up at him then, grey eyes anxious and afraid.

                'You will have to learn it again, love.  We will have lessons on Sunday afternoons.'  He risked  a swift smile and was overjoyed to see an answering gleam in her eyes.  'Come, we have another lesson for this afternoon.  And you have a book to read for me.'