Читать книгу Through a Dark Glass - Barb Hendee - Страница 9

Chapter 3

As the weeks passed, I somehow became “the lady” of Volodane Hall.

While my mother hadn’t had time to have a proper trousseau made for me, she’d sent bolts of velvet and silk from our stores, and Miriam was a skilled seamstress. With some regret, I retired my comfortable old blue wool and was not seen in it again. I had a part to play now, and if I wished to survive, I needed to look that part.

In addition, though Jarrod was somewhat tight with money, he was soon more than aware of my value as a keeper of his home, and he put me in charge of the household accounts. This gave me the freedom to order food and goods from the village when necessary. I never visited the village, but I arranged to hire a laundry woman. While the care of my own gowns was left to Miriam, I ordered washings of all four of the men’s clothing, along with sheets, blankets, and curtains.

Almost before I knew it, the rhythms of daily life here had become familiar. Jarrod and Rolf were often out overseeing the land or running drills with the guards. Kai spent much of his time in training with a sword, even though the family did not appear to be at war with anyone. Sebastian spent his time playing cards with the guards . . . or talking with me.

I learned a good deal from him. My question about the guards’ food source was soon answered, as they had their own cook—a man—and supplies were delivered directly to him. Apparently, the guards ate a good deal of boiled oats and mutton stew.

I learned that Jarrod, Rolf, and Sebastian all loved Kai, but Rolf and Sebastian had no brotherly love for each other, and Jarrod had no affection for Sebastian either, nor did he seem to require any work or assistance from his second son. This didn’t faze Sebastian at all. He was popular among the guards, as he was both a gracious winner and loser at cards, and he seemed to have several close friends among them, especially a handsome young man called Daveed.

Inside the family, Sebastian was quite content with the company of Kai and me. He often told me how glad he was that I’d come to live here, and he offered more than once to deal with problems of difficult servants for me—especially with the kitchen staff.

“I’m embarrassed things had become so lax in the first place,” he once apologized. “It wasn’t always like this. Until a few years ago, we hadn’t stood around the table eating whatever was served. I’m not quite sure how that happened, but you shouldn’t be expected to clean up the mess entirely on your own.”

Tempted as I was at times, I never once took him up on his offers. He was not my husband, and Rolf was, and Rolf respected only strength. Even with what little I could sense from him, I sensed that much. As a result, I could never show weakness. I couldn’t allow myself to lean on Sebastian.

Rolf and I carried onward. We seldom spoke, but he was never unkind.

Soon enough though, the rhythms of the house were interrupted when Jarrod sought me out to tell me he’d arranged for a formal dinner, the first hosted here in many years. I found his plans to bring his family “up in the world” to be steady and methodical. First, he had spent years gaining and keeping wealth. Then he had purchased me. Now, he was putting me to use.

I had no illusions about his expectations.

“Who is coming?” I asked.

“Lord Allemond Monvílle, his wife, and his brother,” he answered. “Their lands border our southern line, and I’m trying to buy a section of forest covered in oak. The timber alone is worth the purchase.”

“Lord Allemond?” I repeated, surprised. He was on the Council of Nobles. He was also a friend of my father’s and had visited Chaumont at least once a year since I was a child. “He’s selling his land?” That seemed unlikely.

Jarrod’s eyes sharpened. “You know him?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Try to remember what dishes he likes and what kind of wine. He’s only coming to look down his nose at me. I want him off guard by what he finds.”

Considering the arrogance of Lord Allemond, I suspected Jarrod was probably right. Neighboring lands or not, I could hardly imagine the Monvílles even considering an invitation to dine with the Volodanes, and selling Jarrod land seemed beyond the realm of possibility.

The household burst into activity. Matilda began cleaning madly. Miriam worked hard to create a gown for me. With Betty’s help, I started sewing clothes for the men.

Sebastian was particular about his clothes being perfectly tailored, and so he came to my room for a fitting. This event gave me a clearer understanding of how his mind worked. Within moments of walking through the door, he pulled his long-sleeved tunic over his head and tossed it onto the bed. He was bare-chested beneath it. He bore a scar on his left collarbone. Betty and I were both mildly startled by his action, but we recovered quickly, and she picked up the white shirt she’d been making for him. I couldn’t take my eyes off his arms. I’d wondered why he was the only man in the family who traveled without a weapon.

Apparently, he didn’t.

Sebastian had a long, sheathed dagger strapped to each of his forearms. The hilt of the dagger on the left arm was ornate, with pearl inlay. The one on his right arm was quite plain, with a tan hilt. Unlike his father and brothers, he didn’t strike openly. He would keep his weapons hidden until the last moment.

He noticed me staring, and I glanced away.

Not long after his fitting, I closeted myself away with him to plan menus. I was too concerned with the upcoming evening’s success not to take advantage of his help.

“We’ll need at least three savory courses,” I told him. “Fish, poultry, and then either beef or lamb.”

He nodded. “I think beef would be best. I’ll arrange for several roasts. The poultry course is easy. We can have Patrick kill some of our own chickens. Can you handle the fish?”

“Yes, Ester told me there is a fish monger in the village. I’ll send an order and have four large river salmon delivered. I know Lord Allemond enjoys salmon. We’ll need a sauce for the side though.”

“A simple white sauce,” Sebastian suggested. “Ester makes a delicious white sauce.”

In bits and pieces, I’d learned that Ester had been with the family for years, since Rolf was a boy, and she had apparently once been a fine cook, but the slow breakdown of household order had left her without support from the family, and I feared she was now being bullied by the likes of Lavonia.

“What about dessert?” Sebastian asked, bringing me back to the task at hand.

Although I’d never planned a formal menu before, together, Sebastian I did quite well, and I submitted our list to Ester who was pleased by our choices and went to work with Patrick arranging for the fruits and vegetables.

All seemed to be in hand until mid-morning of the day of the dinner when Jarrod and Rolf walked into the main hall where I was busy experimenting with centerpieces. Though Patrick maintained fine vegetable gardens, the Volodanes grew no flowers, and I was having to make due with what I could find growing wild.

“Is everything ready?” Jarrod asked with an edge in his voice.

I turned to face him. “Yes, I think so.”

“It better be,” he warned. “I want Allemond impressed by what he finds here.”

I wasn’t certain anything would impress Lord Allemond, but I could at least make sure nothing went wrong. The salmon had just been delivered and were now in cold storage in the cellars.

My mind was so busy on running details through my head that I was caught completely off guard when Jarrod said, “And you know I’ll expect your help with this land deal. I want your best efforts.”

My eyes widened. For an instant, I couldn’t draw breath. My father had told him. Then my shock began to fade. Of course, Father told him. Jarrod had been expecting the beautiful Helena and arrived at Chaumont to find he’d have to make due with me. What better way to sweeten the deal than to tell Jarrod about my ability?

I had so much hoped to leave that part of my life behind.

With my mouth tight, I asked, “Who do you most wish me to focus upon? Allemond himself? Or is his brother handling the financial arrangements for him? I hope Father told you I can only read one person a day, and there are limits.”

Rolf frowned in confusion, and Jarrod’s expression went still.

“What do you mean by ‘read’?” he asked slowly.

In a split second I realized how foolish I’d been. My father hadn’t told him anything. Jarrod’s mention of my help must have referred to me using my manners and family influence to throw Allemond off guard.

“Nothing,” I responded, sounding nervous as I stepped away. “I thought you wished me to gauge his reactions and offer counsel later.”

In a flash, his right hand snaked out and grabbed my wrist. I gasped as he jerked me up against his chest. I’d never had a man use his strength against me before, and the pain in my arm was startling.

Rolf’s face flickered in alarm, but he didn’t move. I could expect no help from him.

“Don’t lie to me,” Jarrod ordered, speaking close to my face. “What did you mean?”

On instinct, I used my free hand to try and loosen his fingers. I don’t think he noticed.

I was terrible at lying, and he was no fool. The only option now seemed the truth.

“I would sometimes read people for my father,” I rushed to say, hoping he’d let go of my wrist. “To see if they were honest. The Chaumont women can sometimes do this. My great aunt could and so can I.”

He jerked my arm again, and I couldn’t help crying out.

“To see if they’re honest?” he pressed.

At this point, the pain in my arm was nearly blinding, and I had no choice but to keep talking.

“I can see the person’s intent and sometimes pick up flashes of images! How else do you think my father borrowed so much money with no one finding out? Before we ever mentioned money, Father would have me read a potential lender to make certain he was discreet.”

Jarrod’s grip loosened slightly. He looked to Rolf and then back to me. “So . . . you’re telling me you can read Allemond at dinner and let me know later if the deal he offers is honest or not?”

“Yes.”

Without warning, his grip tightened again. “And what’s to stop you from using this on one of us?”

“I would never! My father made me swear to only do readings under his direct orders.”

“And you’ll swear the same thing here?”

“Yes,” I answered and then added, “my lord.”

He smiled without warmth. “I think it’s time you started calling me Father.”

* * * *

As soon as he let go, I fled from the hall and hurried down the passage toward the stairs to the tower. I wanted a few moments in my room. In addition to being unsettled by the scene in the hall—and having stupidly given away my secret—my wrist was turning purple, and I needed to change into a long-sleeved dress.

Unfortunately, I made it only halfway to the entrance to the tower when Betty came trotting behind me. “My lady.”

Holding back a sigh, I stopped. “Yes?”

“Lavonia is asking for you in the kitchen. She says the fish has gone bad.”

All other concerns vanished. By some miracle, Lavonia had actually volunteered to prepare and bake the salmon, leaving Ester free to focus on the sauces and other courses. But the salmon was to be the first, and therefore most important, course. I’d paid well for fish caught that very morning, and I’d checked them myself upon delivery.

“Gone bad?”

“That’s what she says, my lady.”

Poor Betty appeared distraught, and I couldn’t help a rush of pity. She was a good servant and didn’t like being the bearer of bad news.

“Don’t worry,” I told her. “I’ll go and see about it now. I’m sure she’s just being overcautious.”

I wasn’t sure of any such thing, but I did an about-face and headed west toward the kitchen. Upon arriving, I found it a busy place, as it should be with a formal dinner planned for that night.

Ester was rolling crusts for strawberry tarts, and two girls I’d hired for temporary help were scrubbing pots in a large washbasin. Cora sat peeling potatoes.

Lavonia appeared to be supervising.

Relations between Lavonia and myself had not improved, but so long as she followed orders, I had as little to do with her as possible.

“Betty says there is a problem with the fish?” I asked, stepping through the archway.

Lavonia turned with her usual poorly hidden sneer. “They’re spoilt. We can’t use them.”

Ester stopped rolling, and everyone was listening to us.

My nerves were already on edge, and I didn’t have time for this nonsense. “I checked them myself upon delivery. Those fish were caught this morning.”

“They’re down in the cellar, in the coolest room,” Lavonia said. “You want to come down with me to check them?”

Her eyes had narrowed and something in her voice caught my attention. My encounter with Jarrod had given away a part of myself that I would have preferred to leave behind. More, I had just promised him that I’d never read anyone without his orders, and all my instincts went against even considering such a thing.

Reading someone else’s intentions tired me quickly, and I could only do one thorough reading a day before I was spent. Tonight, Jarrod would expect me to do a deep reading of Allemond, so I couldn’t do a deep reading of Lavonia now.

Still, in this moment, I had little doubt that she was up to something.

Reaching out, using minimal effort, I tried to pick up only her surface thoughts, hoping I would see something useful without expending myself too much.

A nearly overwhelming flash of hatred hit me like a wall. I fought to keep my expression still. She hated me with a passion. Her life had been easy before my arrival, and she saw me as an overbearing taskmaster who had changed her life for the worse. Then I saw an image, a plan of her leading me alone to check the fish. They would be the same fresh salmon I’d already checked.

But days ago, she’d charmed the son of a fish monger into selling her four salmon—for a low price—that she’d let spoil in the sun. I saw an image in her mind of her preparing and sending out the spoiled salmon for tonight’s dinner, and then in the aftermath, claiming she had warned me in front of all the kitchen staff, and that she’d shown me the spoiled fish, and I had insisted she serve it anyway.

She was going to ruin Jarrod’s dinner party and blame me.

I pulled from her thoughts and stared at her for a moment. She began to fidget.

Looking to Ester, I said, “If I send you Matilda to help chop vegetables, can you manage the dinner with the girls you have here, but without Lavonia?”

A flash of something nearly unreadable, possibly hope, crossed Ester’s eyes. “Yes, my lady. I can manage.”

I turned back to Lavonia. “You are dismissed. I’ll make sure you have a month’s wages, but if you are not gone from this house within an hour, I will have a guard escort you out the gates.”

Her mouth fell open, and her features twisted. “You can’t do that! I’ll tell Lord Jarrod!”

I briefly wondered if the girl was sharing Jarrod’s bed on occasion, but it hardly mattered. “And what if I show him the spoiled fish you’ve hidden behind the hen house?” I countered, “And of your plan to ruin his dinner for Lord Allemond?”

Ester’s face registered stark surprise but not disbelief.

Cora’s shone with guilt. She knew.

Lavonia went speechless.

“You have an hour,” I told her. “I’ll make sure you receive your wages.”

Going pale, Lavonia fled the kitchen, and my gaze drifted to Cora. “Do you wish to go with her?”

She drew in a sharp breath. “No, my lady.”

I looked about the room. “Ester is in charge here, and you will all address her as Miss Ester from now on. Anyone who cannot follow her instructions without complaint will follow the path of Lavonia.”

I nodded once to Ester and left the kitchen.

Even though I’d not probed Lavonia’s thoughts very deeply, I felt drained, knowing I should never put myself in a position to attempt two readings in a day. My head hurt. So did my wrist.

* * * *

That night, I sat at the dressing table in my room as Miriam curled my hair with her small heated iron. Instead of piling it up tonight, she let it hang loose but drew several strands in the front over my forehead and pinned them with a small jeweled clip. Finally she put touches of kohl at the corners of my eyes and beet juice on my lips.

I stood.

She’d finished my new gown that morning, and looking at myself in the mirror, I could hardly believe the results. The gown was of burgundy silk with a v-neckline. Tight at the waist, it swept down into a voluminous skirt that moved gracefully when I walked. Thankfully, it was long sleeved and covered my now black and purple wrist. I wore a ruby pendant with matching earrings—that had once belonged to Helena.

“I don’t look anything like myself anymore,” I commented.

“You look beautiful,” Miriam answered simply. “You should go down.”

“Thank, you, Miriam,” I said. “For the dress.”

She smiled tiredly. I knew she’d probably been up half the night.

Leaving my room, I headed downstairs and heard voices in the hall. My mother always allowed the guests to arrive before making an entrance, so I had decided to follow her example.

Stopping at the entrance to the hall, I looked in to take of stock of what awaited me. All four Volodanes were there, wearing the new clothing Betty and I had made for them—with some input from Sebastian.

I thought Kai looked especially fine in a sleeveless black tunic. It suited his tall form, and his long hair hung down past his shoulders.

Sebastian wore a high-collared jacket over a white shirt, and he cut a dashing figure. My husband and Jarrod both wore new tunics with long sleeves, and they looked well too.

The hall was clean and properly arranged. There were white cloths on the table along with porcelain plates, silver cutlery, and pewter goblets. I’d made centerpieces from wild growing roses and lilacs. For tonight, I’d had the cheerful spaniels housed in the barracks with several of the guards who’d promised to look after them.

My gaze drifted to the guests: Lord Allemond, his wife, Rosamund, and his brother, Phillipe. Several of the Volodane guards stood discreetly near the walls, along with several of the Monvílles’. This was customary.

Lord Allemond glanced at the table several times with what I could only describe as consternation. He was a striking man, in his late forties with an impressive head of waving silver hair. Lady Rosamund had once been considered lovely, but now her generous curves were thickening and her face was heavily lined. She wore diamonds and a velvet gown of dark green.

With a deep breath, I stepped forward and entered the hall.

Allemond was the first one to see me, followed shortly by everyone else, but I couldn’t help a stab of satisfaction at the flicker of uncertainty that passed over his face. “Megan?”

He recovered quickly.

I smiled and held out one hand—as my mother would have done. “My lord. It’s been too long.”

Jarrod stared at me as well. He’d never seen me with my hair down loose or wearing a v-neck dress.

Lady Rosamund must have been equally surprised by the sight of me, but she was a creature of my mother’s ilk and showed nothing besides false pleasure. “Megan,” she said, kissing my cheek. “We were saddened to hear of your sister’s passing and surprised to hear of your marriage.”

Her words were intended as sharp barbs, to point out that I was a secondary replacement in an unfortunate match, and even so, only here by virtue of my sister’s death. I smiled and kissed her in return. “Thank you for your kind thoughts. It’s so good to have guests in the hall.”

Phillipe, who was younger than his brother, leaned over and kissed my hand. “My dear,” he said, although in my entire life, he’d never taken notice of me before.

At the sight of this, Rolf’s face darkened, which surprised me. I’d hardly thought him capable of feeling jealousy. Perhaps it was merely ownership.

“Shall we all sit and enjoy some wine before dinner?” I asked.

This was the signal for everyone to be seated. Wine was always served before dinner at these gatherings. Jarrod said nothing and took his cues from me. He sat at the head of the table, and I made suggestions for everyone else.

Smiling at Lady Rosamund, I said, “I fear we are outnumbered by the men.”

At this, even her expression flickered with uncertainty. She’d sat across from me at a table many times, and she’d certainly never heard me attempt a playful comment. Until that moment, I’d not realized how much I had changed. Though it was not a change I’d wanted or asked for, I had been greatly altered by the expectations of Jarrod and even quiet Rolf. He never made requests, but I knew he wanted me to please his father.

As we all took our seats, Lord Allemond examined the porcelain dishes and pewter goblets.

“From Chaumont Manor, I assume?” he posed, sounding every inch a snob.

“Part of my dowry,” I answered diplomatically, “and I think they grace my new father’s table well.”

Allemond shifted in his chair. It was clear that none of this was playing out as he’d expected. He’d most likely expected to find me a shadow of my painfully quiet former self, abused and cowed by the brutes of Volodane Hall. He’d expected an embarrassing show on Jarrod’s part in attempting to host a dinner—a peasant with money playing at being a lord.

Betty and Matilda poured wine. It was from the best cask my parents had sent, but I made a mental note to talk to Jarrod soon about acquiring more. He would need decent wine if he planned to continue entertaining.

Phillipe and Lady Rosamund both took a sip, and I could see they were not pleased at its good quality.

Not long after, the fish course arrived. Again, Betty and Matilda quietly served.

I was so nervous that I wasn’t certain how much I could eat, but I did taste the salmon. It was perfect, just barely cooked through and still slightly moist. Lord Allemond tasted it and the displeased expression on his face brought me an embarrassing amount of satisfaction. He’d not expected the food to be perfect.

Glancing down the table, I could see Jarrod enjoying his guests’ smug disappointment. Seeing that, I tried to amend my attitude. It was unkind to take pleasure in the discomfort of others. But I knew my role here.

After that, as further courses were served, Sebastian took over the conversation. Neither Jarrod, Rolf, or Kai had anything to say to the Monvílles, but Sebastian was better at small talk, and he kept our guests suitably entertained. Lady Rosamund hung on his every word, and I couldn’t help noticing how her eyes continued to move from his hair, over his face, and down to his arms.

Poor Kai appeared especially uncomfortable in the mix, and he brightened only once when Phillipe spoke to him directly. “I’m sorry I didn’t arrange any matches for entertainment here tonight. There wasn’t time, but I’ve always been astonished watching you in the ring at Partheney.”

I had no idea what he meant by “match” or “ring,” but Kai actually smiled at him. “Thank you. Next time perhaps. We have plenty of room here.”

Before I could learn more about this, Rolf entered the conversation to ask about their wheat crop.

Somehow, we made it to dessert. No one had mentioned the land deal as of yet, but I knew the men would not discuss it over the table.

Then, just as we were finishing strawberry tarts with cream sauce, one of the Monvílle guards carried in a small harp. Watching this, Allemond frowned at his wife.

“Oh, my dear,” she said, sound strained. “I had quite forgotten.”

They must have given the guard instructions earlier.

“You brought a harp?” Sebastian asked.

That did seem odd.

“Yes . . .” Lady Rosamund began. “As a wedding gift. We have not heard Megan play in some time and hoped to impose upon her.” She looked at Jarrod. “Forgive my presumption, but I did not think you would posses such an instrument here.”

The Monvílles were then rewarded by the moment of discomfort on the part of the Volodanes, and I raced to think of what to say. No one had told them I played the harp. Of Helena’s many, many talents, music was not among them, and I had often entertained my parents’ guests. Even then, getting up in front of people had been difficult for me, but I obeyed my parents.

Once again, the Monvílles had hoped to embarrass Jarrod, probably thinking that I would be too shattered by my newfound existence to consider such a public display of myself. Even more, that the harp would look ridiculously out-of-place at Volodane Hall.

Looking directly at Jarrod, I said, “Father, would you like me to play?”

In this way, I placed him back in control of the situation, as if the decision to hear music tonight was entirely his.

He nodded.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at me quizzically.

Standing, I went to the harp and settled myself. Then I drew upon the strings to test them. It was a good instrument. First, I played a lively, cheerful tune—or as lively as one can play on a harp—and I glanced over to see the astonishment on Jarrod’s face.

I should have told him before, but it had never occurred to me.

When I finished, Phillipe called out, “Sing us a ballad. The one about the girl who drowns.”

Lady Rosamund smiled tightly. “Of course. Megan has such a sweet, clear voice.”

Again, her words were barbs, for my voice would certainly never fill a large room, and she meant to point this out. But I could carry a tune and hit the highest notes with a pleasing sound as opposed to the screech of many young noblewomen.

Rolf and Kai glanced at each other in open surprise, as if uncertain this scene was playing out in their own hall.

When I began to sing, everyone fell silent. Even Betty and Matilda stopped moving. The ballad was a sad one about two star-crossed lovers who tried to escape their families, each one taking a different ship to meet up on the shores of another country.

The girl’s ship is caught is a storm, and she is lost.

In the last stanza, she speaks to her love:

When you look at the harsh waves

When you look at the sea

When your long life is ending

You will still see me

I allowed the final note to hang in the air. When I looked up, Rolf stared back at me, and then he began to clap. The others joined him quickly, even Kai.

“I think that might be enough music,” Lady Rosamund said.

By way of answer, Jarrod stood, and I was glad he knew enough to cue the others. It was customary after dessert and entertainment for the guests to walk about a dining hall, sipping wine, looking at tapestries, and visiting with one another.

I also knew this was the time the men would conduct business, and I quietly made my way to Jarrod, Rolf, and Lord Allemond where they stood near the hearth.

Discussion of the land purchase was already underway.

“I do think you should ride the day after next and meet me at the old hunting lodge,” Allemond was saying. “My gamekeeper swears some of the trees have bark beetles. I haven’t seen an issue, but with such rumors, it would be wise for both of us if you and Rolf come out and check for yourselves before money changes hands.”

Jarrod was a cautious man by nature, and he listened carefully. “The day after tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m free that afternoon.”

The situation appeared straightforward enough. There had been a report of bark beetles, which would damage the value of any lumber taken out, and Allemond wanted Jarrod and Rolf to check trees at random themselves.

I was nervous. In the past, I’d occasionally tried to do two readings in a day and had sometimes failed in the second attempt. Though I was still drained from my reading that morning, I had no choice but to try here. Focusing my mind, I reached out to connect with Allemond’s, and as had happened with Lavonia, a wall of emotion hit me. It was so strong I nearly lost my composure. Hatred and fear seethed through him. Bracing myself, I reached deeper until snippets of his thoughts grew clear.

No such men on the Council of Nobles . . .

Cannot be allowed to happen . . .

Nearly lost inside his mind, I felt the things he felt. He feared the Volodanes rising to greater power, and the events of tonight had driven his fear into panic. He saw Jarrod and Rolf as a threat, as brutish, uneducated men who could never be allowed to push themselves into the realm of civilized men or decisions that affected the nation.

His thoughts rolled forward to the suggested meeting, and I saw a clear image of a lodge surrounded by oak trees. He envisioned himself out front of the lodge, on his horse, with two other men, one on each side of him, and a few guards behind. Inside his mind, I took note of the two men at his sides.

One was enormous, with a dark beard and black leather armor, on a bay warhorse. The other was wiry with a scar on his forehead. He rode a great roan stallion.

Jarrod and Rolf soon entered his vision of what would play out, and they rode up with perhaps ten guards.

As they approached the lodge, dozens of men suddenly charged from the trees on horseback, swinging swords and surrounding them. Allemond envisioned himself just watching, but the two men with him rode into the fray.

The large, bearded man charged straight at Rolf, coming at him from behind as he fought two attackers on his right. This man took Rolf’s head off in the first swing. Several other men were rushing Jarrod . . .

I stumbled backward and pulled out of Allemond’s mind. I couldn’t look anymore. He dreamed of murdering Jarrod and Rolf. He was planning their deaths.

Rolf stepped toward me and reached out with one hand. “Are you all right?”

Faint from overtaxing myself, I tried to smile. “It’s nothing. Perhaps the fire is too warm?”

Neither of the other two men had even noticed.

“You’ll ride to meet me?” Allemond pressed. “The day after tomorrow?”

Though it was deftly done, Jarrod glanced at me. I shook my head once at him.

“I’ll have to check and see what needs our attention that day,” Jarrod answered. Then he yawned. “Let’s talk over breakfast.”

As the Monvílle border was a half day’s ride, they would need to spend the night here and ride out in the morning. This was one area where I could not do much to make Jarrod appear as a proper host. The old keep didn’t boast many guest rooms, but I had managed to have several rooms prepared on the third floor of the tower. At least the bedding was clean.

However, Allemond seemed taken aback by Jarrod’s response. He’d expected a quick assent to his sensible suggestion.

“I don’t see why we cannot decide this now . . .” He trailed off as Jarrod walked away from him.

“It grows late,” Jarrod announced. “Time to retire.”

This was clearly an order, but Lady Rosamund and Phillipe took the time to say proper good nights before joining with Lord Allemond and leaving with Betty to be shown to their rooms. Allemond’s face was dark. I doubted anything about this evening had gone as he’d planned.

Once our guests were out of the hall, Jarrod looked to Sebastian and Kai. “Out. Both of you.”

Sebastian glanced at me. “You did well.”

“So did you,” I managed to answer, but I felt so drained I had trouble staying on my feet.

A few moments later, Jarrod, Rolf, and I were alone in the hall, and Jarrod turned to me.

“Well?” he demanded.

Too weary to even attempt to soften the blow, I answered. “He plans to have you and Rolf murdered the day you go to meet him at the hunting lodge.”

It was difficult to shock Jarrod, but his eyes widened.

“What?” Rolf asked.

“He has men waiting in the trees,” I went on, “and two men at his sides who he envisions joining the attack. You would be outnumbered.”

Regaining his composure, Jarrod leaned close. “What did the two men at his sides look like?”

“One was large, with a dark beard and black leather armor. The other was smaller . . . with a scar on his forehead.”

My description produced an immediate effect.

Rolf drew in a harsh breath. “Father, there’s no way she could ever have met Magnus and Berrick.”

Both men were silent for a few seconds, but I could see they believed me. They believed I had seen Allemond’s plans in his mind.

“What do we do?” Rolf asked his father. “Kill them first?”

Jarrod shook his head. “No, murdering the Monvílles won’t progress our cause. We let them go in the morning. I’ll put off the meeting at the lodge, but I’ll find a way to buy that land.” He sounded so determined I did not doubt him.

Reaching up, I touched my temple.

“She’s tired,” Rolf said. “Let her go to bed.”

“What?” Jarrod asked, coming from his thoughts. “Oh, yes.” He waved one hand. “Off with you, girl.”

Grateful to Rolf, I left the hall.

* * * *

Once upstairs, I was equally grateful to get undressed and have Miriam help me into a nightgown. Just being alone with her in my room eased the throbbing in my head.

“Did the evening go well, my lady?” she asked.

How could I possibly answer that? From Jarrod’s perspective, it had been a grand success. From the Monvílles’ perspective, it had been an unmitigated disaster.

So, I supposed the answer to Miriam’s question would be yes.

Before I could speak, the door opened and Rolf walked in. I gave Miriam a quick nod. She hurried from the room, closing the door behind herself.

“Megan,” Rolf breathed.

I looked over at him, as he’d never spoken to me in such a soft tone. He stood there watching me in a kind of wonder.

“I almost couldn’t believe what was happening tonight,” he said. “The greenish tinge on Allemond’s arrogant face . . . the dinner . . . you at that harp.” He shook his head. “I’ve gone along with Father these past years to humor him. There was nothing else I could do. But I never thought we had any chance to reach the heights he’s imagined, not until now.”

I listened, frozen, as he stepped closer.

“You are everything I have lacked, and I had no idea until tonight,” he went on. “You and I could go so far together. I could gain a seat on the Council of Nobles. We could shape the nation’s policies.”

My breaths were shallow. No one had ever spoken to me like this before. I’d had no idea Rolf was capable of speaking so many words. Looking into his face, I didn’t see love or desire, but I did see respect, admiration, and value.

Reaching out, he touched my face and then leaned down to kiss me. This time, it felt different. He was not performing a duty, and when I kissed him back, neither was I.

His words echoed in my ears.

You and I could go so far together.

I touched his chest and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him more easily. We might not have fire or passion or love, but perhaps we were developing mutual respect and need.

And for me—who’d never once been valued—the prospect of respect and need could be just as seductive as love.

For the first time since arriving here, I couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.