The Queen's Rising(77)

There was the alehouse, the servants’ quarters, the stables, the sparring turf where Tristan and Oran had once practiced. And just on the rim of the pasture, there sat the Mairenna Forest, swathed in dark green pines and yellow aspens, crowned with fog. Not much had changed over the past one hundred and sixty years. It was a gentle reminder that this land, this people, was built in fortitude and tradition, that change happened slowly, gradually.

My plans were to get near the forest by requesting a tour, a tour I expected would be deterred since all of the men were going to be hunting. But I needed to show my curiosity in the land so it would not appear strange to see me walking about on my own.

I felt the weight of the spade in my dress pocket; I felt the weight of the rebellion in my heart.

I shivered against the uncertain chill and told myself that if these plans failed, I would revert back to exploring the secret passages that night, even though I had no knowledge on how to navigate them and there was a greater risk of me opening the wrong door than the right one. . . .

I was imagining the horror of getting lost within those dark passages when I heard the lilt of a beloved voice behind me.

“I hear that you are a passion of knowledge.”

I turned to look at Merei, fiercely suppressing the urge to throw my arms about her. I think we had the same expression on our faces, for her dimples set little valleys in her cheeks as she tried to restrain herself.

“I am. And you are a mistress of music?”

“Yes. Merei Labelle.” She swept me a little curtsy.

“Amadine Jourdain,” I returned, just as graceful. I felt Allenach’s eyes on me from the other side of the courtyard. Good, I thought. Let him see me introduce myself.

“Well, Amadine, it seems that we are vastly outnumbered by men. Perhaps you and I might spend the day together?” Merei asked, her eyes bright with questions.

I held my breath, my mind rushing through the sudden possibilities. I had not planned on Merei’s involvement—the last thing I wanted was to risk her safety—but I suddenly realized how much I could use her assistance.

“Yes, I would love to. But I planned to ride the land today,” I said as we meandered back into the crowd of men, toward Allenach. From the corner of my eye, I saw Cartier standing in a loose circle of Valenians. My heart quickened as I asked Merei, “Perhaps you could ride with me?”

“Of course!” Merei agreed as we came to stand before Allenach.

“My lord,” I greeted him, dropping a dutiful curtsy. “I was hoping for that promised tour of the land today.”

“I fear that I must ride with the men and lead the hunt,” he replied.

“Would one of your sons be willing to escort me?” I inquired, praying that he would give me gentle, polite Sean, not Rian, who I had sensed was suspicious of me last night.

As if he felt the tugging of my hopes, Sean appeared in the courtyard with sleep still in his eyes, his short hair ruffled. He was wearing his father’s colors, a maroon shirt beneath a leather jerkin, and black breeches tucked into knee-high boots. A quiver of arrows was slung over his shoulders, as was a long yew bow. When he felt my stare, he glanced to me, and I smiled at him. Just like that, he approached us.

“Good morning,” he greeted. “I did not think you were a hunter, Amadine.”

“I am not,” I concurred. “But I was hoping to tour the property today, to see more of your father’s lands.”

Allenach was very quiet, watching this interaction between me and his youngest son. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but my stomach clenched as I realized that the lord scarcely let me drift from his sight. I yearned for a shield, a flicker of magic, a way to hide myself from him and his keen observations.

“Your father is unable to escort me, though,” I said. “So I guess I shall have to wait for tomorrow?”

Sean shifted his weight. “I could take you,” he said, looking to his father. “Couldn’t I, Father?”

And here came Rian. He moved like a snake in the grass, as if he could smell my secret intentions from across the courtyard.

“What is this about?” the oldest brother inquired, his eyes remaining on me, hard and dark and suspicious.

“Sean is going to take Amadine on a tour,” Allenach stated, and again, I could not decipher if he was annoyed or bored. His words were carefully articulated.

“What?” Rian objected. “No, not Sean. Let me take her.”

My palms began to sweat, but I held my ground, praying, waiting. . . .

“You are supposed to lead the hunt with Father,” Sean objected.

“And you are supposed to bring up the rear.”

“Enough,” the lord said, a quiet but sharp word. His sons instantly obeyed. “Rian, you will come with me. Sean, you will take Amadine.”

I scarcely could believe it, that the lord of the House of Allenach was playing directly into my hands, directly into my wishes.

Sean nodded, evidently pleased, but Rian scowled, his face darkening as he finally removed his gaze from me. But I heard what he said to Allenach, his words striking me as pebbles as he muttered, “You are treating MacQuinn’s wench like a princess.”

I didn’t hear Allenach’s response, but my throat tightened.

“Come, mademoiselles,” Sean said, holding out an arm for each of us. I took his left, Merei his right. “And you would be?”