Chapter 125: Fleeting Warmth
The mother relieved Irene of the packs she carried over her shoulders—undoubtedly saddlebags—and put them on the chair she had just been sitting on. They were heavier than they looked and she was almost horrified her daughter was holding them so easily.
It was then that she realized Irene was merely a few inches shorter than she was. They hadn’t gotten close enough to one another when she was at the Duke’s Tower to tell such a thing.
Rochelle then helped Irene out of her cloak, then her outer coat, belt, and even the warm tunic she wore underneath until all that was left was the girl’s undershirt. She then sat Irene on the edge of her bed and removed her boots, stockings, and pants.
It had been such a long time since her mother cared for her in such a way, but she was receptive to it.
The woman continued until she pulled back the thick blankets on her bed and guided her daughter underneath.
When Irene was finally tucked in all the way up to her shoulders, Rochelle then went to the fireplace where there were stones sitting in the ash along the bottom. They were taking in the heat of the fire but, of course, never being damaged by the flames.
She found a large metal poker leaning against the side of the fireplace that she used to push the stones out of the fire.
Hanging up on the metal cage next to the fire, there was a thick square of fabric. The woman crouched down and placed the cloth in her hands. From there she reached towards the hot stones and picked two of them up quickly. After that, she quickly wrapped the stones in the fabric multiple times until they were concealed and she could tie a knot that sealed everything together.
Rather than scorching hot stones, the soft fabric simply felt warm.