| |
Caspar’s prized ram hated me with a passion. He tossed his head and lowered his horns, pawing the snow-covered ground.
“Are you done yet?” I called in through the open top half of the sheep pen to Russett.
“I am cleaning as fast as I can,” Russett replied. The ram charged, and I just barely stepped out of his way in time. The creature crashed into the wooden wall. “What was that?”
“The ram. I told you he hates me.”
The sheep shook off the strike with a snort and rounded to eye me as I attempted to put some distance between us. I ran for the side of the pen, praying I wouldn’t slip on ice.
The creature bellowed.
Taking that as a sign that it would charge soon, I put on speed. Reaching the snow-covered fence, I vaulted the height of it. From the crash that immediately followed, I had barely missed being trampled.
“Wow!” Pip yelled. “I didn’t know you could run.”
I groaned as I leaned over gasping for breath, the icy air making my throat instantly frigid.
“That ram really does hate you,” Hugo observed as he came to stand next to me.
“I have been saying that for weeks.” With Caspar yet to return from his trip south, Russett and I had been caring for his stock and checking on his projects. “You are the first to agree with me.”
“Is he complaining about the ram again?” Russett yelled as he unlatched the bottom half of the door to let the sheep into their shed again.
I groaned and waved toward Russett. “See.”
“He only needs to show the creature who is master,” Russett hollered as the ram trotted peaceably past him into the building.
Hugo snorted. “Insufferable as always, I see.”
I straightened. “It is good to see you, Hugo. Did Father let you in to visit early?”
Hugo shrugged. “More like he didn’t know I visited. I planned on being gone before he knew I had come, but the snow changed my schedule. Then, a happy accident caused Rein to send me to fetch you.”
I frowned between him and Pip.
“Don’t look at him.” Hugo nodded toward Pip. “He helped me find you.”
“Hugo. Just spill it.”
“Ask.”
I sighed. “Hugo, why did Rein want me summoned?”
He studied my face. “A woman arrived at the gate in the middle of the worst of the storm. She claims she was there to see you.”
My heartbeat sped up. Could it be? “Ryda?”
“Lady Ryda?” Pip hollered with the broadest grin. “She came!”
Despite the ruckus, Hugo didn’t divert his attention for a moment. “I take it this Ryda is important.”
“You could say that.” I tried to calm the thrill filling my chest. She came! “I want to marry her.”
“A countess? Whoa, and here I thought I was the rebel of the family.”
“Hardly.” My mind raced. I looked down at my dirty boots and rattiest heavy clothing I used only for the heavy work of caring for my brother’s livestock. My first instinct was to run for the keep, but I was hardly dressed for meeting anyone, let alone my future wife. “I need to change.”
“I doubt you have time. When I left them, Father had already summoned her, and Rein was escorting her to him.”
“How long ago?” I demanded.
Hugo shrugged. “A bit.”
I groaned and started running.
“I am coming too!” Pip pelted after me, but I heard more footfalls than his. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Hugo keeping pace.
“Where are you going?” Russett’s voice bellowed from behind us.
I didn’t bother answering. Saving my breath for running, I put my head down and put on speed. The thought of sheltered Ryda in an audience with my dictator of a father propelled me onward. I reached the bailey wall in record time. Barely avoiding colliding with Conrad as he was coming through the door, I skidded on the slick stone. I managed to stay upright, but Pip didn’t. He slipped and slid across the slippery rock past me. His laughter assured me he was whole and well.
As soon as I came to a complete stop, I ran for the stair to the keep door. Taking the steps two at a time, I gained the entry and burst through.
“Master Crispin—” Corrinand began.
“Not now, Corrinand. Where is my father?”
Looking puzzled, Corrinand frowned at me. “In the solar with your mother, my lord.”
“Thank you.” I took the stairs two at a time.
Behind me, the door burst open again. “Master Hugo, Master Conrad, Pip?”
“Where?” Hugo demanded.
I didn’t hear the answer because I had reached the solar door. Not bothering to knock, I pushed it open.
“Father, I must protest,” I declared before fully taking in the room.
Father and Mother stood across from each other. The bright glare from the freshly fallen snow filled the room with a sharp white light through the window at my mother’s back. Her features were difficult to see in the shadow the light cast, but her stiff shoulders and crossed arms were clear. She was displeased about something. Father, hidden in the shadows of the far corner from her, glared at me.
Between them stood Rein and Ryda.
The sight of her made me ache. It took every bit of self-control not to cross the room and touch her. Instead, I took inventory of her appearance. She was dressed for snow. The layers of wool and fur disguised her form, but nothing could conceal the thinness of her face. She had lost weight. She met my gaze with pale and wide-eyed grief. Tears glistened in her green eyes.
Anger flared through me. “What have you done, Father?”
“It is more like what you have done, son.” He gestured toward Ryda. “You led her on to believe that you love her.”
“He didn’t promi—” she began.
“But I do love her,” I declared.
The door behind me opened, and multiple people entered.
“Have I missed the fireworks?” Hugo asked jovially.
Surprisingly, Mother was the first one to speak. “There will be no fireworks, will there, Alonz?”
Father grunted and turned away from his wife.
Mother continued. “We have come to a compromise. If the countess is willing to renounce her claim as an heir of Corewill and complete the three tasks outlined, your father is willing to consider making an exception.”
“Truly?” Russett’s excited voice sounded unnaturally loud in the ensuing silence, but no one answered him.
Ryda curtseyed to both my parents, wobbling slightly. It was a far cry from her perfect motions when we were in Worthenave’s library. It could be nerves, but I feared it was something else. I searched what I could see of her pale features. Was she well?
“Enough of this farce.” Father stormed through the midst of us and through the door out into the corridor. The door slammed behind him, the sound bouncing about the rafters. Then there was silence.
Once again, my mother spoke first. “Please excuse my husband.” She crossed to Ryda and embraced her. “I will go and see to preparing your accommodations within the keep.” She drew back and studied Ryda’s face for a moment. “And food. Yes, you look hungry.”
“My men—” Ryda began, but Mother waved her to silence.
“Of course, the boys will see to them.” Mother started toward the door. Touching my shoulder as she passed, she moved on. Only when she came to Hugo did she stop to hug him. “Stay. Considering what is ahead, it is best you stay. I will have your room prepared.” Then, she left.
Barely had the door closed than the questions started.
“Who is she?”
“Did I hear countess?”
“I never expected you to be the one to break our oath.”
I ignored them all and crossed to Ryda. “You came.”
She smiled sadly up at me. “I guess I forgot to tell you I can be impatient.”
Pulling off my gloves, I reached for her with my bare hands. Where I planned to stroke her cheek, she stepped into my arms, slipped her hands beneath my open cloak front, and hugged me.
“I smell of sheep dung.”
“I don’t care.” She pressed her cheek against the front of my tunic.
As my arms folded around her of their own accord, I found I didn’t care either. Ryda was there and in my arms; that was all I cared about.
Conrad cleared his throat next to my ear. “Care to make introductions?”
I didn’t care to, but to refuse would be rude. We needed allies. The more of my brothers Ryda charmed, the better. Reluctantly, I drew away from Ryda and began the rounds of introductions required.
“Brothers, this is Rydaria Lowellyn, Countess of Corewill.” I turned to Rein. I suspected he had already introduced himself. “My elder brother and next Duke of Areyuthia, Alonzian Rein.”
Rein bowed over Ryda’s extended hand. “My lady, I have rarely seen anyone stand up to my father with so much success.”
Ryda frowned in obvious confusion, but before she could speak, Conrad was at my elbow. He grinned at Ryda.
“Since Crispin is taking too long, as usual, I am going to take the liberty of speaking for myself. The name is Conrad. I am the second youngest of the clan.” He bowed deeply over Ryda’s hand, adding a kiss to the back of it.
Ryda’s eyes met my gaze over his head. An amused smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but she hid it before Conrad straightened. He didn’t let go of her fingers, though. Instead, he said, “Your eyes are like the finest emeralds.”
For a moment, it took all my self-control not to smack his hand away. I took a deep and slow breath instead. It wasn’t his fault he spoke the truth or that I had wished to say exactly that to her so many times. Still, it stung that he had said it first.
“That is not how you compliment a woman, pup,” Hugo declared with a backhanded whap at Conrad’s head. “Now stop pawing the countess’ hand and use the manners I know you have been taught.”
“Hugo!” Conrad dropped Ryda’s hand, which she immediately tucked beneath her fur-lined cloak.
Hugo grimaced. “I taught you how to behave around women. Find one who doesn’t mind you talking about cheese constantly.”
“None of them want to talk about cheese. They all wrinkle their noses and sniff when I bring it up. One would think that it was impolite to even mention it,” Conrad complained.
“I would love to hear you speak about your cheese-making,” Ryda offered. “I have to listen and learn what each of you values, after all. However, with other women, I recommend beginning with what they are interested in first. They will be much more receptive.”
Conrad considered this for a moment. “How would you know what other women would like? According to Crispin, you were trapped in a tower for decades.”
Hugo made a move to backhand Conrad again, but my younger brother ducked.
During the following scuffle, I turned to Ryda. “What exactly was the deal you struck with Father?”
“I have never seen Father handled so masterfully,” Rein volunteered. “Between Mother and Lady Ryda, he didn’t have hope.”
“Well, he didn’t exactly completely give in,” Ryda protested. She rested her hand on my arm, drawing my attention to my hand fisted in frustration. I purposefully relaxed my fingers, flexing them to ease the strained muscles.
“Still, I have never seen him managed so well,” Rein insisted.
“I assume that means there is hope for us.” I covered her fingers with my own.
“That is yet to be seen.” Ryda’s sad smile didn’t bode well. “It is a lot to accomplish in two weeks. Even then, there are other matters.” She met my gaze expectantly.
I had no idea what she was alluding to, but I would happily give it to her if she just remained there at my side. Before I could formulate the words to ask her what she sought, though, the door to the corridor opened. Corrinand entered. He bowed to each of us before addressing Ryda directly.
“The duchess has arranged for your chambers, my lady. Shall I guide you there so that you might refresh?”
Ryda nodded. “Yes, please.” Offering all of us a curtsey, she departed.
As the door closed behind her, Rein nudged me in the ribs. “This is going to be fun.”
“What is going to be fun?” I rounded to face him. “What exactly happened here?”
Rein groaned. “Father ranted and raved about her presumption of assuming she would be welcome after seducing his son and not bothering to travel with Crispin to meet his family. He demanded to know why he should let her stay beneath his roof. He called her a purse-leech and—”
“—said she was power greedy—” Conrad added.
“—harpy—” Conrad volunteered.
“Then Mother said a word.” Rein frowned. “It made no sense to me, but suddenly Father restrained himself.”
“What was the word?” I asked.
“Tomas,” Conrad responded, looking as confused as the other two. He shrugged. “No matter what it means, Father finally settled down enough to be sensible. And Mother demanded what Ryda could do to prove herself.”
“The end result of their debate was that Lady Ryda needs to complete a series of tasks.” Rein motioned to the rest of them. “She has to get to know us, get our approval, and demonstrate her skills.”
“Skills?” I frowned at him.
Rein shrugged.
“Don’t you know her skills?” Hugo asked.
“That isn’t my question. What skills is Father expecting?” I mulled over what I knew of Ryda’s abilities and doubted any of her academic prowess or language skills would impress Father. She did possess experience in more traditional feminine talents, like music, sewing, and such, but they were not to an exceptional extent from my understanding. “What is he looking for in her? Father always has a purpose behind his requests.”
Hugo crossed his arms over his chest. “I, for one, would like to know what the name Tomas means and why it brought Father to heel.”
“Regardless,” Rein declared, “we should be cooperative.”
“Why?” Hugo demanded. “What is in it for me, for example?”
“The potential for freedom for the rest of us to choose our own wives should we desire.” Conrad grimaced. “Should I ever find one who can stand the taste of cheese.”
“How long does she have to accomplish these tasks?” I asked.
“A fortnight,” Rein informed me.
“What of Caspar, Iwan, and Blaize?” I listed the traveling brother as well as the two remaining brothers. They had already escaped the confines of Father’s dictates.
All three of my brothers appeared to mull the matter a moment. Rein spoke first. “I will see that a message is sent out to Iwan and Blaize as soon as the storm lifts. Finding Caspar will be more difficult. None of us know where he is.”
“I hate the idea of just waiting for him to appear.” Hugo rubbed his jaw.
“Then let us help until he shows up.” Conrad motioned to where Father had been standing. “We can’t gain his approval for her, but we can help her learn about him like Father requires.”
“Perfect!”
Just then, the midday gong struck, signaling the beginning of the meal.
“After we eat, though,” Hugo declared. “The mind works better on a full stomach.”
~~~~~
I WOKE TO LATE-AFTERNOON sunlight pouring in through a large, glazed window. The distorted diamonds of light fell across my skirts. A few moments of disorientation passed before I recalled where I was. I lay in the keep of Crispin’s childhood home.
I closed my eyes with a groan at the memory of the interview with Crispin’s parents. Despite Crispin and his father being so physically similar, the two men had been nothing alike in temperament. I sat up. Shedding blankets that I didn’t recall pulling over me, I scooted toward the edge of the bed. A soft thud of something falling off the bed brought me up short.
I scanned the bed. Four parcels crowded the side of the bed opposite where I had lain. A wax-covered lump of something, two ceramic bottles with stoppers tied together with a leather cord, a hefty stack of paper bound with cord, and a small wooden box carved with trailing vines and trumpeting flowers crowded me. After navigating cautiously off the bed and searching the floor around it, I discovered two more parcels. A jar of fruit preserves and a pouch full of hard oblong things completed the collection. I stared at the odd group of objects. Who had brought them? What were they for?
The door opened behind me.
“Oh, my lady, you have risen.” A smiling woman, perhaps twice my age, strode into the room with her arms full of what appeared to be three gowns. “You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t have the heart to wake you.” She crossed to some hooks on the wall and hung up her burden. “The duchess sent over some clothing since your luggage hasn’t been located yet.”
“Who brought all of this?” I motioned toward the collection on the coverlet.
“Oh, that?” The woman smiled. “The counts have been busy already, haven’t they? There should be a note. Where is it?” She bustled about, straightening the bedding as she went, until she crowed with triumph. “Here it is.” She pulled a square of paper from the edge of the bedding. “It must’ve fallen at some point.” She offered it to me.
I accepted it with a hesitant smile.
“Now, I will go and fetch you some water so you can clean up before the evening meal.” With that, she headed back out into the corridor, leaving me alone to read the message.
Crispin’s handwriting greeted me when I unfolded the page.
Dearest Ryda,
The gifts are from the others. I dare not share mine yet. Each contains clues to help you on your journey. Only a few of us aren’t represented. We will rectify that soon. Until then, I suggest you start asking questions.
Your Crispin
I viewed the odd collection in a new light. The wax-covered lump was probably cheese from Conrad. I struggled to remember any other hints I might be able to use. For the first time, I had hope of accomplishing this impossible task. If Crispin, Rein, Conrad, and Hugo could convince the rest of the brothers to cooperate, I should be able to grow acquainted with all of them quite quickly. Though I did wish I could spend the time with Crispin instead.
Soon. Soon, I promised my impatient self. If all happened as I hoped, Crispin’s presence would be my prize for the rest of my life.
