The Beautiful Pretender (A Medieval Fairy Tale #2)(43)

“That is kind of you,” Avelina said.

He stared down into her eyes. If Magdalen had not been present, she would have thought he was thinking about kissing her, the way he seemed to be staring at her lips.

How he would hate her if he found out she was a servant, that he was opening his inmost thoughts to someone so far beneath him.

Lord Thornbeck drew back and cleared his throat. “I need to have someone build a wall over the doorway to the burned balcony, and close off that entire corridor. But in the meantime—” He focused his eyes on Avelina. “Do not go near it.”

“How did you know we were there?” Avelina asked.

“I didn’t. Odette came to tell me the servants couldn’t find Endlein, so I went up there to look for her.”

“Lord Thornbeck?” Chancellor Jorgen rounded the corner. “Are you ready to sign these documents?”

“Ladies, excuse me.”

He went to attend to his duties, while Avelina and Magdalen went back to their bedchambers. He did have a temper. She had seen it displayed when her horse had those sharp shards of pottery underneath its saddle and he’d shouted at his servants and guards, and she’d seen anger in his eyes and heard it in his voice when he found them in the west wing. What would he do if he discovered she’d been deceiving him all this time?





16



AVELINA SAT LISTENING to the local musicians and singers Lord Thornbeck had invited to the Great Hall. A woman sang and was accompanied by a man playing a hurdy-gurdy, another playing the lute, as well as a flute player and drummer. They were quite good, and Avelina enjoyed the music. It was not often she was allowed to listen in when traveling musicians came to Plimmwald Castle, though she usually found a way to sneak into the shadows to hear some of it.

Magdalen, seated beside her, looked so peaceful as she listened to the music with her eyes closed. Avelina closed hers too. The music seemed to surround her. It was as if she could hear each instrument separately, as well as together. The woman’s voice sounded richer, fuller, and she found herself taking a deep breath and sighing without even meaning to. She sighed again.

When the song was over, she opened her eyes—and Lord Thornbeck was standing several feet away, watching her.

Her heart skipped as his lips twisted up on one side and he turned away.

She glanced over at Magdalen. She was speaking to the Duke of Wolfberg, who sat on the other side of her.

She wanted to shake her and say, “Don’t talk to Wolfberg! You are supposed to be making Lord Thornbeck love you.”

She needed to have a talk with her friend. There were only three more days left!

Just then, Endlein wandered in. Her gaze roved around the room, and she wore a very confused, frustrated look.

Avelina rose and quietly walked to where Endlein was standing at the back of the room. “May I help you, Endlein?” she whispered.

“I am looking for my daughter, Annlin. But I don’t understand. Who are all these people?”

She looked so thin, Avelina said, “Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen and I’ll get you something to eat.”

“Oh. I never feel hungry. I’m looking for Annlin.”

But she allowed Avelina to lead her out and down the stairs toward the kitchen.

“Where are we going?”

“To the kitchen, to find some food. All is well, do not worry.” Avelina tried to speak soothingly. “After we get some food, I will help you to your room.”

The kitchen servants looked up when they entered.

“Can we have some food, please? Whatever you have.”

Two of the servants gathered some cheese and bread and some fruit pastries and brought them to a table and coaxed Endlein into sitting down to eat. Avelina thanked them, then stayed with her while she ate and the servants went back to work.

Endlein actually ate quite a bit. Then she suddenly stood. “I need to find Annlin.”

Avelina touched her arm and said gently, “We cannot find her tonight, Endlein. Can I take you up to your room? Come. Let me take you there.”

The only problem was, she didn’t know where the woman’s room was. She asked one of the servants, who explained, and Avelina took her arm and led her up.

When they finally reached Endlein’s narrow little bedchamber, Endlein turned and smiled at her. “When I find my daughter, we shall do something kind for you. What is your name?”

“Av—Dorothea. Dorothea.”

“Dorothea.” Endlein turned and went toward her bed.

Avelina closed the door. It was sweet of Endlein to want to do something for her. Poor Endlein.



Avelina meandered back to her bedchamber after praying alone at the chapel. Only two more days until the ball.

She had prayed for forgiveness for all of the half-truths and deceptions of the past two weeks, and for favor with Magdalen, that she would not hate her when Avelina told her the truth. And she prayed that she would not embarrass herself with tears at having to leave this place—at how much she would miss Lord Thornbeck and Lady Magdalen.

When she opened her bedchamber door and went inside, she saw a familiar-looking piece of paper on the floor. Another note under her door. Avelina picked it up and read it. Meet me on the balcony at the end of the gallery next to the ballroom after dark.

Her heart leapt at the thought of seeing him again. She had not seen Lord Thornbeck all day. Probably he was spending time with some of the other ladies. But she only felt slightly jealous thinking about that. Now she would see him on this clear night, with the moon and stars above.