The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(54)
“Of course not. He is a boy. What would he know?”
Maia smiled, finishing her bowl of soup quickly. Suzenne was sharing a meal with Dodd across the kitchen, their heads bent low in conversation.
“He is handsome,” Maia said. “He speaks three languages, and he is good with a bow as well as a blade.”
“Do you think Jon Tayt will win the archery contest?” Aloia asked, eyes wide with interest.
“I do not know,” Maia said. She was about to set the bowl down, but Davi took it from her and went to rinse it.
The sun was lingering longer and longer each day, but Maia could see the dying light beyond. She kept looking at the door every time someone arrived carrying a large sack of milled grain or additional ingredients. All day she had hoped to hear from Collier. Jon Tayt had delivered her letter the previous night, but Collier had coolly dismissed the hunter, refusing to read it in his presence.
“If you girls spent as much time working as you did pining,” Collett said sagely, “we would have been ready for Whitsunday three days ago. Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people. Now back to work, you two.” Collett looked at Maia, rolled her eyes in exasperation, and went back to the trestle tables, her hair still tight in its bun despite her daylong efforts. She was a fastidious woman and worked harder and longer than two teams of oxen combined.
The girls sighed and went back to their work, leaving Maia alone with her thoughts for a moment. Her father was coming. She could almost hear, deep in her mind, the sound of hooves, the jangle of spurs, the fluttering of banners. With so many guests arriving at Muirwood, the kitchen had not been much of a refuge. Maia thought about sneaking off to the Queen’s Garden again, hoping to find Collier there, but she had done so earlier to no avail. Soon the entire court would descend on the grounds and there would be no time or space to think.
Maia’s future remained a murky mystery to her. What would it be like to see her father? She wanted to talk to him, but she was also afraid of him—afraid of who he had become.
The door of the kitchen opened again, and Maia looked up and started with surprise when Captain Carew entered. He was a bull of a man, with freshly cut reddish-brown hair. His nose was prominent, but not ugly, and a dusting of pleasant freckles covered his weather-burned tan. He was indeed a handsome man, one who had, according to rumor, caroused with her father.
He was followed by Collier and three other men, one of whom was Jon Tayt. Collett was quick to scowl at the intruders.
“This is the Aldermaston’s kitchen, not a feeding trough,” she warned. “Your supper will be ready when it is ready.” She walked up, folding her arms imperiously. “I do not have time to fix anything extra when men are hungry.”
Captain Carew smiled and gave her an elegant bow. “My lady cook, I will break the fingers of any man who attempts to snitch your delights before they have paid for them. I was seeking Lady Maia, and I have found her.”
Suzenne and Dodd glanced up. Dodd rose from his seat on a barrel and set his bowl down, looking to Jon Tayt for guidance.
Maia rose too, dusting off her skirts. “You did, Captain.”
He smiled at her. “Your travels have only heightened your beauty, Maia. Well met. Would you walk with me in the Cider Orchard?”
Her stomach twisted, but Jon Tayt looked at her from behind the captain’s shoulders, his eyes narrowing. He nodded subtly.
“It will be dark soon,” Maia said, hedging.
“It will not be a long talk,” Carew said, inclining his head. “We may not have another chance to talk before your father arrives.”
He had a message for her then. She clenched her hands into fists, nodded, and followed the men out of the kitchen. The air was brisk outside, and she felt Collier’s eyes on her, the pressure of his gaze making her cheeks tingle with heat. Argus, who had known better than to enter Collett’s kitchen, wagged his tail and padded up to her as soon as she came outside. She reached down and scratched his head.
“The beast does nothing but growl at me,” Carew said. “I heard he piddled on Crabwell’s boots.” He snorted with laughter. “He will walk on that side of you, if you please.”
Maia said nothing as they crossed the grounds together and approached the dense apple orchard. There were small ladders set about and the workers were busy culling fruit from the low-hanging branches.
As they reached the borders of the trees, Carew turned back to their escort, the two guardsmen who were walking with Tayt and Collier. “Jeppson, over on that end. Rowen, that side. Collier and Tayt—wait here for us.”
Maia hesitated. “We go on alone?”
“Yes, but within their sight,” he answered. “I am here to protect you, Maia, not abduct you. I will not risk the Aldermaston’s wrath. If it even exists,” he added with a chuckle. “Pardon me, I can be irreverent at times. The result of being your father’s companion. We were friends, you know. Have been friends all of our lives. I was there when he wed your mother. We passed the maston test together.” He extended his arm, gallantly, and she took it and entered the grove of apple trees. Glancing back, she saw Collier watching her warily, his expression very neutral and composed.
Carew patted her arm. “Thank you for coming willingly,” he said softly. “What I have to say I must say discreetly. Your father knows you are here, Maia. He sent me deliberately. There are rumors that someone is seeking your life. Someone Lady Deorwynn paid to kill you.”