So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(89)

While the two seamstresses, Norah and Marthe, helped Brigitta into the new gown, she motioned to the empty pitcher on the nearby table. “I’ve completely run out of wine. Would you mind bringing me some more, Hilda?”

With a frown, the older woman peered inside the pitcher. “You drank it all already?”

Actually, she’d poured half of it down the privy hole when Hilda had gone to check on the seamstresses an hour earlier. “I was thirsty. And I’m hungry, too. All these fittings wear me out. Could you bring us some food? Please?”

Hilda huffed. “Very well.” She gave the seamstresses a stern look as she headed for the door. “No gossiping. Stay on task.”

“Whew.” Brigitta heaved a sigh when Hilda the spy left. At last she could fish for some information. Of course there was no guarantee that the seamstresses weren’t spies, too. Even the guards outside the door were probably listening. Good goddesses, she was becoming paranoid. She would have to do her fishing very carefully. “I hope the contestants will like this gown.”

“Oh, I’m sure they will.” Marthe tugged at the laces on the back of the bodice. “You look beautiful in it.”

“I can’t believe the competition begins tomorrow morning,” Brigitta continued. Shouldn’t Rupert be arriving soon? “I’m so looking forward to it.”

Sister Fallyn exchanged a look with her, then continued hemming a white silk shift. “I heard there are six contestants.”

“That’s what I heard.” Norah knelt on the floor to pin the hem of the skirt. “But only the first three matter. They’re the king’s favorites. No one will be able to defeat them.”

Brigitta tugged at the bodice, wishing the neckline wasn’t cut so low. “They must be very strong.”

“Oh, yes,” Marthe agreed. “The first one is the captain of the king’s personal guard.”

“Oh, you mean Captain Mador?” Brigitta feigned a smile. “I’ve met him. Who are the others?”

“The second one is the head general,” Norah replied as she worked her way around the skirt. “And the third one is the admiral of the king’s navy.”

“Then who are the other three contestants?” Brigitta asked.

Marthe waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about them. I heard the king doesn’t even want to acknowledge their names. So all the men will be given numbers during the competition. It’s supposed to keep it anonymous and fair, but of course, everyone knows who the first three are. The last three will simply be Four, Five, and Six.”

“I see.” Brigitta drew a deep breath. So when Rupert arrived, he would be called Seven. And just as the Telling Stones had predicted, she would have seven suitors vying for her hand. “I know the other contestants can’t win, but I can’t help but be curious about them. After all, they’re risking their lives.”

Norah nodded. “They must be very brave.”

Sister Fallyn shook her head. “Or foolish.”

Marthe placed the matching headdress over Brigitta’s hair, then made some adjustments. “I suspect their fathers have forced them into it. After all, the winner gets to be the father of the heir to the throne. There are plenty who would risk their lives to be powerful at court.”

Hilda burst into the room, followed by two servants carrying trays of food. “That’s enough talk.” She stopped to eye the gown. “That one will do for this evening. Marthe, have it finished in two hours.”

“Yes, madam.” Marthe inclined her head.

Brigitta swallowed hard. “Is there something happening this evening?”

“His Majesty is hosting a feast to celebrate the competition that begins tomorrow morning,” Hilda explained. “King Gunther plans to present you to the court, so you must look your best. I have requested several maids to see to your bath and arranging your hair. I suggest you eat quickly before they arrive.” She shooed the two servants who had brought food out the door. “Marthe, remove that gown from her and get back to work.”

“Yes, madam.” Marthe untied the laces while Norah gathered up their supplies.

Brigitta’s heart raced. “Will the contestants be at the celebration?”

“Of course.” Hilda pursed her lips in disapproval. “But there will be seven now. A foreigner has arrived at the last minute.”

Rupert. Brigitta took a deep breath, careful not to show any reaction. But inside her heart was pounding.

Rupert was here, and she would see him tonight.





Chapter Twenty-Three

Rupert hoped Brigitta had a better room than he did. He and Stefan had been relegated to a small room in the basement of the older west wing. But the first part of the mission was accomplished. He was safely ensconced in Lourdon Palace, and no one had questioned his identity.

When he had arrived with a small troop of soldiers and servants, he’d been immediately taken to the office of Lord Argus, who was King Gunther’s chief counselor and the man in charge of the finer details of the competition.

Argus had examined Rupert’s papers, written by King Leofric and the Duke of Vindalyn and introducing him as Baron Suffield, an Eberoni nobleman from the Duchy of Vindalyn.

“You are qualified enough to enter,” Argus had said while returning the papers. “But can you afford the entrance fee?”