Uma was surprised, and perhaps a little embarrassed, when Jax knocked on her door, barging into the maid’s sitting room. “Your Grace? Is there something you need?” She stood up and curtsied next to her desk chair.
Jax sat down on a worn cushion, taking in the small, but tastefully decorated quarters. “Yes, Uma, sorry to pop in like this, but I have something to ask. I was wondering if you could tell me who attended my mother in the banquet hall the morning of the accident. I just want to make sure her final hours here in her home were happy,” the duchess brushed her skirts, fidgeting under Uma’s questioning gaze.
“Soren attends to the banquet hall when there is not a formal meal taking place. She would have overseen and served your mother, I believe.” Uma straightened the papers she’d been writing on, tucking them away at her desk.
“Soren? Where might I find her?” Jax stood up to leave, impatient to get to the next piece of the puzzle.
“I think you’ll find her in the pantry at this hour. She helps the baker when she’s not on the floor.” Uma explained to Jax where the pantry was located, for it had been a long time since Jax had been anywhere near the kitchens to sneak a treat.
With a thankful smile, Jax left her maid to whatever she had been working on. As she shut the door, she vaguely wondered when the girl had learned to read and write.
“I’m looking for Soren. Has anyone seen her?” Jax bellowed as she entered the lively kitchen, the smell of bread and pudding wafting through the air. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she had not yet stopped for breakfast.
“Your Grace!” Her appearance sent the bustling kitchen workers into a frenzy, bowing and tripping over themselves. She waved a hand in greeting, reassuring them all that they should not mind the disruption. “Your Grace,” the executive chef waddled over, covered in flour and cocoa powder, “to what do we owe the honor?”
“Soren. I need a word with her,” Jax reiterated her request, trying to keep her tone friendly and light.
“She’ll be right through that side door, Your Grace. Helping to prepare the pastries for the Pettraud delegation’s breakfast.” The chef pointed at a heavy door in the back of the room.
“Thank you, sir,” Jax didn’t bother reading the name embroidered on the chef’s jacket, squeezing her way through the commotion of flaming stoves, hot trays, and chopped ingredients. The clamor behind died down as she entered the pantry, shutting the heavy door behind her. The pantry was much quieter, the only sound that of dough being kneaded. “Soren? May I have a word?”
Of the six or so people in the room who looked up at her with a startled expression, only one approached her timidly. Soren was a rail-thin, middle-aged woman who must have been almost six feet tall. Her salt and pepper brown hair was tucked under a bonnet, her pale face flushing with color. “Your Grace? How may I be of service?”
Jax looked around, mindful of the ears and eyes narrowed in on them. “Is there someplace private you and I may chat?”
Soren nervously nodded, leading Jax through another heavy door and into a deserted sitting area. “We won’t be bothered in here, Your Grace.”
Jax took in the scene, having no doubt that the entire kitchen staff was waiting eagerly on the other side of the door, thirsting for gossip. “Very well, then. Soren, I was hoping you may recall serving my mother breakfast the morning of her accident.”
Soren looked confused at the direction of her inquiry. “Why, yes, ma’am, I remember my last morning with the duchess as if it were yesterday.”
Jax leaned towards the woman, putting a hand gently on her trembling arm. “Soren, I am desperate to hear of my mother’s final hours before her untimely death. It would give me such peace to know that she was happy and enjoyed herself before…” she trailed off suggestively.
“Of course, ma’am, completely understandable. Your mother was very excited to be going to visit her sisters. She mainly talked about how long it had been since the Mensina daughters had been together in one room. She mentioned she would be meeting several nephews and nieces for the first time.”
Jax nodded with interest, prodding the woman on. “I know Mother loved those apple donuts the bakers make. Is that what she had that morning?”
Soren’s brow furrowed a bit, and Jax knew her question sounded forced. “I believe your mother had toast and eggs, nothing fancy, just like she requested. She had some fruit juice and coffee, and that was about it.”
Jax thought for a moment and pressed for more details. “Anything else you can tell me, anything that might have seemed, I don’t know, unusual?”
“Unusual? I don’t know what you mean.” Soren’s back stiffened.
Jax backpedaled, not wanting the woman to think she was accusing her of anything. “Mother sometimes got herself worked up too much when she was excited about something. She didn’t appear ill in any way, did she? It ruined her spirits when she got like that.”
Soren let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, no, your mother was in perfect health throughout the whole meal. She stayed in the banquet hall reading her morning briefing until she was collected by the duke for their journey.”
Jax walked gracefully around the room, thinking only for a moment. “Wonderful, I’m glad she was untroubled that morning. It’s nicer for me to remember her that way, rather than after the accident.”
Soren bowed once more. “Of course, Your Grace. I am pleased I could be of some assistance.”
Jax dismissed the woman, plopping down on one of the hard-wooden chairs when she was alone. So, her mother had an uneventful morning, too. She needed to get in touch with Vyanti to figure out if her mother would have displayed signs of poisoning. If so, then Soren’s account would align with the belief that her parents had been poisoned after entering the carriage.
Leaving the kitchens through a side door, Jax avoided the rampant gossip that was no doubt taking place amongst the servants. She wound her way through a myriad of corridors, directing herself towards the banquet hall where she would be hosting breakfast. She replayed her findings in her head, so consumed with determining when the poisoning occurred that she collided into a distracted Lord Pettraud.
“Goodness, Your Grace, my sincerest apologies!” Perry exclaimed, helping Jax steady herself with his strong grip.
“No need to apologize, Perry. I was the one at fault. I was lost in thought, I didn’t even see you there.” She tittered girlishly, hating to appear frazzled in front of a guest. “I was just on the way to breakfast. Would you like to join me?”
Perry bowed, extending his arm. “Of course, but I’d like to have a word with you privately beforehand, if you wouldn’t mind?” His kind, lavender eyes were lined with worry.
“By all means, what is it? Were your rooms not acceptable?” Jax asked, unsure where the conversation was going.
“My new apartment is fine, thank you so much for the hospitality.” Perry stuttered his words nervously. “I actually wanted to speak to you about last night’s events. I am, of course, ashamed by my reaction, but I am actually more abhorred that my father would be so callous as to extend a marriage proposal while you are in mourning. I hope you can forgive Pettraud for the imprudence.”
“There is nothing to forgive. I am sure the duke had the best intentions,” Jax cooed, although she doubted the sincerity in her words.
At this, Perry chuckled darkly. “Oh, the Duke and his intentions. I’m still stunned that he would send his youngest son off as an offering, like a chest of gold. I knew he was not pleased with my behavior of late, but I never thought he’d punish me in such a way.”
Jax responded coolly to his statement. “I’d like to think that my hand in marriage would not be a punishment, but rather an honor, Lord Pettraud.”
His tanned face drained of color, and he comically slapped himself on the forehead. “Oh goodness, Jax, that’s not what I meant to imply at all.” He looked at her with such sadness in his eyes that she was momentarily speechless. “I’m sure you have heard about the death
of my mother.”
The duchess nodded, sympathetically. “Yes, I am very sorry for your loss, Perry. My parents attended her funeral last month to represent the duchy. I, unfortunately, was visiting the southern shore of Savant, and could not attend the service.”
If he heard her excuse, he did not acknowledge it. “My mother was the one person who believed I was worth something. Being the seventh son, the last in the line of succession, my father hardly had any time for me, always training and working with my older brothers. But my mother, virtues bless her, she loved all her sons equally, no matter their standing. She was the only person in my family that encouraged me to be a better man than I was the day before. And with her gone, it all seems hopeless.”
Jax appraised the young man before her and for the first time, saw past his charisma to see a lonely little boy who yearned for his father’s approval, knowing deep down, he would never achieve it. That was a vicious side effect of ducal rule. “I’m sure your mother is looking down upon you, Perry, and she wants you to be happy. You cannot give up just because she isn’t physically here anymore. I’m sure you’ll find your worth, and as long as you are here in Saphire, I will help you. Now, what are you passionate about in life? That is always the best place to start.”
Perry examined her eyes thoughtfully, and seeing the emotion within them, pondered her question. “Well, my mother knew how much I loved riding horses as a young boy, so she convinced my father to allow me to joust. It’s not the fighting I enjoy, as much as riding those majestic beasts.”
“Our stables here are world-class, Perry, you must take advantage of them.” Jax suggested, delighted to see a spark of interest in his gaze.
“I’m also very fond of painting, as silly as it might sound.” At this, Perry looked to the ground, blushing.
“Not at all. You and Arnie must chat with one another, and she can lend you some supplies. She enjoys the art, too. In fact, she’d painted a few royal portraits that hang in these great halls,” Jax motioned an arm to the high walls around them, showing off the extensive collection the duchy of Saphire had accrued.
“Excellent, yes, I must speak with her. Although, I prefer to capture the beauty of nature. You know, when dawn stretches across an undisturbed field, or stars singing across the tops of mountains. Saphire’s lands are magnificent, so I’m sure I’ll find something worthy of my canvas.” Perry’s eyes glazed over as he detailed for her what he longed to capture.
“I cannot wait to see what you create,” Jax chirped, leading Perry towards the banquet hall. She squeezed his arm affectionately, looking him over. Considering his extremely good looks and affable manner, she felt a touch of hope that this marriage would actually make her happy in the end.
Upon their arrival at the banquet hall, the rest of the Pettraud group fell silent, Rence’s raised eyes prominent in the crowd. She could see the glee in his expression, for he’d be able to report back to Duke Pettraud that his son was already wooing the Duchess. While she skillfully planned for the courtier to witness her fawning at the young lord’s side, she found that her admiration was not entirely forced. Perry’s candidness about the devastating loss of his mother pulled on her heartstrings, and she was moved by his resolution to make her proud. Rence would, no doubt, report to Duke Pettraud that their courtship was moving quickly in the right direction.
“Good morning, I hope you all slept well,” Jax let her voice float musically to all her guests. She directed Perry to sit by her right, whilst Arnie emerged from the back of the hall and took a seat at her left.
“I thought you’d never get here and I’d be stuck with these buffoons all morning,” her lady-in-waiting murmured, her eyes annoyingly directed at the congregation of tourney knights.
Before Jax could sneak a snarky reply, Rence sat down beside Perry. “A most good morning to you, Your Illustrious Highness.”
Jax fought back a snort at the ridiculous use of her title. “Greetings, Courtier Rence. I hope you feel rested for your journey home.” While her tone was friendly and light, she could see that Rence understood her true intentions. She was ready for the delegation to return home and leave her be.
“Yes, a good night’s sleep on a dovetail mattress has done wonders for these aging bones,” Rence lowered his head in understanding. “Lord Pettraud, I trust your permanent quarters were to your satisfaction?” He inquired after the welfare of his charge.
“Quite. I was telling the illustrious Duchess here that I have never seen such splendor.” Perry sent a conspiratorial look her way, grinning mischievously.
Beside her, Arnie struggled not to spit out her juice in a laugh. Jax placed her napkin on her lap, not making further eye contact with the incorrigible crew.
Perry turned toward his courtier. “I expect that we’ll be receiving news from Father once you’ve explained the arrangement the Duchess has agreed to?” At this, his mood darkened a trace, a change not lost on Jax.
Rence cleared his throat, clearly aware that he was at odds with this end of the table. “I’m sure your father will want someone to check in on you to make sure all is going well.”
Perry frowned. “You mean, to check to see if the Duchess has thrown me in the dungeon for my lack of decorum?”
Rence sputtered at the assumption, but Perry did not allow him to continue. “I trust it won’t be a burden, Duchess, to host another party from our duchy? Duke Pettraud is very particular about how things play out, you see.”
Jax understood immediately what Perry was alluding to. Duke Pettraud, despite her verbal agreement, would be sending representatives to watch them throughout this period of courtship to ensure his son did nothing to upset his chances of marriage. Where she couldn’t very well refuse accommodating these visitors, she was basically going to be under a microscope the entire time. She shouldn’t have expected anything less. “We will be honored to welcome any delegation of Pettraud, whenever they see fit.” She directed her words to Rence, hoping the courtier would share her willingness to comply with the Duke.
The rest of breakfast was rather quiet, the whole room too afraid to poke a hole in the budding relationship between the lord and duchess. Jax was thankful that Rence announced he and the knights would be leaving after the meal concluded, and she bid him goodbye from the banquet hall, putting Arnie in charge of seeing the group on their way. Perry also said his farewells to his companions, noticing that he was much more familiar with the rowdy knights than his courtier.
“I hope you don’t mind some constructive criticism, Perry,” Jax broached the delicate subject, “but when you sit as a guest of my ducal table, I would suggest you keep your temper in check.”
Strolling the gardens, taking in the brilliant spring sunlight, the young man turned to look at her head on. “Are you about to lecture me on my behavior?” Surprisingly, his tone was that of amusement and not annoyance.
Jax blushed, wringing her hands nervously. “Perhaps?” She hated that she felt that she had to sugar coat what she had been dying to say since last night.
“All right, then. Let me have it.” Perry crossed his arms, expectantly.
“Well, it’s just, if you ever speak to any of my personal guests the way you spoke to Rence or behave like the child you were last night, I will have you thrown in the dungeon.” She delivered her cutting words dryly, hoping to be crystal clear for the young lord. She watched his face redden as he processed her statement, but to her surprise, he released a long sigh.
“Rest assured, I will be on my very best behavior, Your Grace,” he used her title in a defeated way.
Jax reached out to him. “Oh, Perry, please don’t be like that. You must realize that there are times when I must speak as a Duchess and not your friend. Going forward, the stakes will be much higher than they were at last night’s dinner. I will be hosting rulers from across the entire realm, and I cannot have flippant remarks made by the man I intend to marry.”
Perry looked at her strangely. “You really do intend to see
this through? It’s not just an act to keep my father at bay?”
Jax’s eyes darkened. “I gave Courtier Rence my word that, after a time, I would be ready to accept this marriage arrangement. I am a woman of my word, Lord Pettraud.”
At the use of his title, Perry cringed. “I almost feel bad for you that you’re stuck with me.”
“Almost?” Jax raised an eyebrow.
Perry grinned, poking her playfully in the side. “Well, I am stuck with you, after all.”
Chapter Six
Jax and Perry spent much of the day together, getting to know one another and touring the castle grounds. She wanted Perry to feel free to roam as he pleased, and felt that a guided tour would help him grow accustom to the layout. She joked that she still got lost these days, since she’d spent so much of her life away from the palace.
The Ducal Detective (Ducal Detective Mysteries Book 1) Page 5