Chapter 4
By the time the Monvílles were ready to leave the following morning, of course, Jarrod hadn’t committed to any sort of meeting to inspect the trees for bark beetles.
He simply told Lord Allemond, “I’ll send word to you as soon as we can arrange the spare time.”
While this answer must have frustrated Allemond, it wasn’t a refusal, and so he offered a strained smile. “Let me know any time that is convenient. I’ll look for your message.”
With that, we said our polite good-byes. Lady Rosamund hypocritically kissed my cheek. She cast one long glance at Sebastian, and then their retinue mounted up and rode from the courtyard.
Afterward, I wondered if Jarrod would wish to speak more on what I’d seen in Lord Allemond’s mind.
He didn’t.
I wondered if he would make mention of me having dismissed Lavonia.
He didn’t.
Instead, all four of the men proceeded into their normal daily tasks. Sebastian headed off to the barracks, most likely to play cards. Kai had a sparring session. Jarrod and Rolf rode out to check the state of the apple orchards.
I headed off to the kitchens for a task I believed would be expected of me, something my mother had always done the day after a banquet.
As I entered the kitchen, Ester smiled. “Was the meal last night to Lord Jarrod’s liking?”
“It was perfect. He could not have been more pleased. Thank you so much.” I looked at the other girls, including Cora. “And thank you. I know you all worked hard.”
Cora had been watching me nervously, but she appeared to relax at my words. This made me glad, as it convinced me she wanted to keep her position and that perhaps without Lavonia’s influence, she might work out well.
I turned back to Ester. “So, how much food is left? How many of us will be needed to carry it down?”
She looked back at me in puzzlement. “Carry it down?”
“To the village.”
I wondered about her confusion. It was common practice for the lady of any noble household to have all the leftovers collected the morning after a banquet and then help take them down to the nearest village to be given to the poor.
Ester didn’t appear familiar with this custom.
Quickly, I explained it.
“Oh, I don’t think so, my lady,” she said, shaking her head. “The master wouldn’t like that at all. He’d be angry.” She paused. “Did you ask Lord Rolf?”
I hadn’t. It had never occurred to me. In my previous world, this practice was tradition.
“No.”
“You’d best ask him.”
Jarrod and Rolf were both gone, but for the first time, I felt uncertain regarding the limits of my power in the realm of the kitchen. If Ester said Jarrod would be displeased, even angered, by a charitable act, I felt I ought to listen.
After nodding, I moved on to other duties.
However, that night, we were served the leftover beef and chicken for dinner, and I decided not to ask Jarrod or Rolf after all. They did things differently here, and I would need to adjust.
The days began to pass, and no one mentioned the Monvílles again. Rolf and I continued to come to know each other a little better, but the only time we spent alone was in my room at night. He never sought my company otherwise nor offered to take me riding on the land. I wasn’t unhappy, but I wondered when I might once again leave the confines of the manor.
Two weeks following the banquet, Jarrod came home earlier than usual and sent for me. I found him the dining hall. The day was warm, and so no fire had been lit, but he stood by the hearth.
“You wished to see me?” I asked absently. I’d been taking stock of the larder with Ester and wanted to get back.
Turning, he studied my face for a moment. “You’re a Volodane now, girl. Not a Chaumont.”
Suddenly, he had my full attention.
“Of course,” I answered cautiously.
“At the end of summer, the Council of Nobles convenes at the castle in Partheney.”
I already knew this. The council of twelve always met in late summer, and the king attended as well.
After a pause, he added, “I want an invitation.”
“Why? There is currently no open seat on the council.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to be there for the gathering,” Jarrod said flatly. “I want an invitation.”
“I can’t arrange that for you.”
“Your father can.”
At this, I walked over to him, tilting my head up to see his hawkish features. “He can, but I’m not certain he would. Do you wish me to ask him?”
“No, I want you to make sure. Write and tell him that unless he gains us an invitation, I’ll spread word that the Chaumonts are nearly bankrupt, that he had no dowry to give you, and that I paid him for your hand.”
“I can’t tell him that.”
His eyes narrowed. “Oh, I think you can, and I won’t even need to bruise your arm this time. I think you’ll do it for Rolf.”
We stood watching each other without speaking. My mind flashed back to Rolf’s tenderness the night of the banquet, of the things he’d said to me.
You and I could go so far together. I could gain a seat on the Council of Nobles. We could shape the nation’s policies.
“I trust you have paper and quill?” Jarrod asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
That evening, I wrote to my father.
* * * *
While I awaited an answer, a message arrived for me.
I knew it probably wouldn’t be from my father, as not enough time had passed, and I somewhat taken aback to see it was from Lady Violette Cornett.
My dear Megan,
Or should I call you Lady Volodane now?
How pleased I was to hear of your marriage! The baron and I have planned a brief house party, only three days, beginning the week after next. We should so like to see you and your new family. The manor will be bursting, but we have plenty of guest rooms.
Do let me know if you can attend, and be certain to tell young Kai to bring his sword as the baron is planning lively entertainments.
With affection,
Violette
I read the note twice, nonplussed. She wrote as if we were friends, and I barely knew her. I had seen her while accompanying my father in Partheney, but I didn’t recall her ever speaking to me. She and her husband, Henri, were minor nobility, but they were widely known for giving lavish house parties that lasted for days. Although I’d never attended such an event, my parents had. These parties were one of the few social engagements where my father claimed he didn’t need me—or my ability. Later, I learned from my sister that she and I didn’t take part because the Cornett house parties had a rather wild reputation, with guests sometimes waking up in the wrong beds.
Why would Violette invite the Volodanes to one of their house parties? Did they believe Jarrod and Rolf’s star was on the rise due to a mix of wealth and new social connection? Did they wish to establish a friendship in the early days? It was possible.
That night, before dinner, I took the note to Jarrod and let him read it.
His eyes scanned the paper, and he looked up. “Henri Cornett isn’t on the Council of Nobles.”
“No, but I’d guess there will be several men in attendance who are on the council. This is a sign you’re being accepted into society.”
Slowly, he nodded. “Write back and accept.”
Over dinner that night, he made the announcement that we’d all be attending, and the reactions from his sons were varied. Rolf appeared quietly interested. He glanced at me as if I were to thank for the invitation.
Sebastian was openly pleased. “The Cornetts? Really? We’d best keep our wits about us. The rumors of some of their gatherings are scandalous.”
But he said “scandalous” as if it was something to be anticipated.
Only Kai balked. “I’m not going. That sounds like three days on the fourth plane of hell to me.”
“You’re going,” Jarrod stated flatly. “Lady Violette mentioned you by name and told you to bring your sword.”
I’d wondered about that line in the letter. For one, Kai would never go anywhere without his sword. Still, no one explained it to me, but Kai stopped arguing and didn’t seem so reticent anymore.
The next week was a blur of activity as Miriam and I spent hours each day sewing new clothes for everyone, and I made packing lists.
Jarrod nearly had a fit when he saw the gifts I’d had loaded into a wagon: casks of wine, fine tea, and early apples from the Volodane orchard.
“It’s expected,” I explained. “We’ll look like peasants if we arrive empty-handed.”
He frowned but thankfully deferred to my knowledge of such matters.
Finally, the day of our departure arrived.
The Cornetts’ estate was to the east of ours, and Jarrod estimated that if we left early in the morning, we could reach our destination by that same evening.
He and Rolf rode at the head of our party. Kai rode with the guards, and I rode beside Sebastian with Miriam directly behind us. The day was fine, and I enjoyed the ride. It felt good to be outside again.
“You look happy,” Sebastian observed.
“I am.” Then I grew thoughtful. “Or at least I am right now. But I haven’t the faintest idea what we’re heading into or exactly why we were invited. I’m hoping the Cornetts simply believe your family is on the rise and they wish to make early inroads.”
“I couldn’t care less why we were invited,” he answered. “I intend to have a good time.”
As Jarrod had gauged, we arrived in the early evening.
Even in the fading light, I could see the Cornetts’ manor was large and exquisite, with a white-painted stucco façade and a stylish black front door. At the sight of it, Jarrod expressed a flash of hesitation, but it came and went quickly.
Upon dismounting, we were met by several servants and shown inside the manor. A tall woman in a starched white apron approached us in the entryway.
“My lord and lady and the other guests are dressing for dinner. Please follow me, and I’ll show you to your rooms.” She paused and looked to me. “Is it acceptable for you and Lord Rolf to share?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Not all married nobles shared rooms, even as guests.
Dressing for dinner was nothing unusual to me, but it still was for the men, and they all followed my lead, remaining silent and following the tall woman, who I assumed was the housekeeper. We were shown our various rooms. We changed into evening attire and were shown back downstairs.
As we walked toward the back of the manor, I saw a large archway leading to a great dining chamber, and my stomach tightened.
I was about to represent my new family to a pack of nobles who were all probably hoping the Volodanes would provide entertainment by behaving like the brutes everyone thought them to be.
Tonight, I wore a red velvet gown and Helena’s diamond pendant.
As I entered the dining hall on Rolf’s arm, numerous heads turned. I judged there to be about forty people and focused my attention entirely on the smiling woman walking toward me.
“Megan, my dear,” Lady Violette exclaimed, kissing both my cheeks.
She was beautiful, tiny and pale with black hair. Though she must be in her late thirties, she looked ten years younger. Both her greeting and her kisses felt different from Lady Rosamund’s.
I almost believed Violette was delighted to see me, and that we’d been friends before tonight.
She greeted the men with me just as warmly, and I could see Jarrod was somewhat thrown off-balance by her beauty. That surprised me. I’d never seen him affected by a woman.
But Violette stopped on Sebastian, taking in the sight of his face, clothing, and dark hair. “Goodness, where have you been hiding?”
“Cast off in the wastelands.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled.
I could see right away that those two were kindred spirits, both of them loved wit and pleasure above all else. She took his arm and led him into the room. We followed.
The next few moments were a blur of greetings or introductions. I knew most everyone by name and face. My parents were not in attendance.
Rolf did well, greeting men and asking about pending crops. In a different way from Sebastian, he was becoming a natural at conducting himself among the nobles. I could see the other men responding to him as one of their own.
Jarrod and Kai both managed to nod politely, but I could see Jarrod felt out of his element and Kai was nearly overwhelmed.
“Megan, darling,” said a female voice to my left.
Turning, I was rendered speechless for a few seconds by the sight of Lady Rosamund Monvílle.
Looking over her shoulder, I saw Lord Allemond chatting with his brother, Phillipe.
“My lady,” I said, recovering myself and letting her kiss me.
Violette released Sebastian’s arm to join us. “Rosamund was the one who suggested I invite you,” our hostess confessed. “I must say I’m so glad she did.”
I blinked. Rosamund had wrangled this invitation?
“It was Lord Allemond’s idea,” Rosamund put in with a strained smiled. “He insisted.”
“Well then, I’m glad he did,” Violette answered, not appearing to note any tension. Perhaps she didn’t. I was beginning to like her, but a warning bell sounded in the back of my mind.
Why would Lord Allemond insist that his wife arrange an invitation for us? He hated the Volodanes. I’d need to look for a way to speak to Jarrod quietly as soon as possible.
Rosamund’s eyes raked over Sebastian, and the dinner gong sounded.
Unfortunately, I was seated between Baron Cornett and an aging gentleman, Viscount Bretagne. Jarrod was seated well down the table. I would never read Lord Allemond without Jarrod’s instructions. My father had trained me well in this regard for good reason. As I could only do one deep reading tonight, there may be someone else Jarrod might wish me to read, and he’d be displeased if I couldn’t accommodate his wish.
The room was filled with men with whom he may be seeking connection. I did notice him glancing at Allemond once or twice, but he didn’t appear concerned. Whatever Allemond’s agenda here, he was no great danger to any of us at the dinner table.
I was tired from the long day’s ride and nearly winced when Lady Violette announced dancing after dinner. Somehow, I stayed on my feet and kept a smile on my face as I danced with Rolf. I got Kai out on the floor twice, and to my surprise, he seemed to enjoy himself. Perhaps he liked having something to do.
Nothing about the evening struck me as remotely scandalous. I did notice a few men and women in low conversations with people to whom they weren’t married, but that was all. Even Sebastian, who’d expressed a plan to enjoy himself, spent much of the night speaking with Viscount Bretagne’s handsome son, Richard.
Finally, people began to drift away, and I felt it late enough to say our good nights.
Soon, with great relief, I found myself in bed beneath a down comforter with Rolf beside me.
“I found out Lord Allemond initially suggested our invitation,” I told him.
“Truly?” He frowned. “Perhaps he thought to provide us with another chance to embarrass ourselves.”
“Perhaps. I hope it’s nothing more. Remember he’s not above violence.”
“I doubt he’d try anything here, but I’ll speak to my father first thing tomorrow.”
Feeling better that this was out of my hands, I leaned back into my pillow.
Propping himself up on one elbow, Rolf touched my face. “Allemond or not, we wouldn’t be here without you, and I very much want to be here.”
Again, I couldn’t help drinking in his value of me.
“You did well tonight,” I answered. “Everyone saw you as one of their own.”
“I never thought I’d have the chance to try.”
“Surely you’ve been invited to some dinners or events.”
“No. Never. We’ve sometimes gone to Partheney when Kai’s entered a tournament, but none of the other noble families had much to do with us.”
“Tournaments?” I asked. “As in competition via combat?”
He kissed my forehead. “You’ll see tomorrow.”
Then he kissed my mouth, and we spoke no more.