Through a Dark Glass

by Barb Hendee

  “I’ll have to check and see what needs our attention that day,” Jarrod answered. Then he yawned. “Let’s talk over breakfast.”

  As the Monvílle border was a half day’s ride, they would need to spend the night here and ride out in the morning. This was one area where I could not do much to make Jarrod appear as a proper host. The old keep didn’t boast many guest rooms, but I had managed to have several rooms prepared on the third floor of the tower. At least the bedding was clean.

  However, Allemond seemed taken aback by Jarrod’s response. He’d expected a quick assent to his sensible suggestion.

  “I don’t see why we cannot decide this now . . .” He trailed off as Jarrod walked away from him.

  “It grows late,” Jarrod announced. “Time to retire.”

  This was clearly an order, but Lady Rosamund and Phillipe took the time to say proper good nights before joining with Lord Allemond and leaving with Betty to be shown to their rooms. Allemond’s face was dark. I doubted anything about this evening had gone as he’d planned.

  Once our guests were out of the hall, Jarrod looked to Sebastian and Kai. “Out. Both of you.”

  Sebastian glanced at me. “You did well.”

  “So did you,” I managed to answer, but I felt so drained I had trouble staying on my feet.

  A few moments later, Jarrod, Rolf, and I were alone in the hall, and Jarrod turned to me.

  “Well?” he demanded.

  Too weary to even attempt to soften the blow, I answered. “He plans to have you and Rolf murdered the day you go to meet him at the hunting lodge.”

  It was difficult to shock Jarrod, but his eyes widened.

  “What?” Rolf asked.

  “He has men waiting in the trees,” I went on, “and two men at his sides who he envisions joining the attack. You would be outnumbered.”

  Regaining his composure, Jarrod leaned close. “What did the two men at his sides look like?”

  “One was large, with a dark beard and black leather armor. The other was smaller . . . with a scar on his forehead.”

  My description produced an immediate effect.

  Rolf drew in a harsh breath. “Father, there’s no way she could ever have met Magnus and Berrick.”

  Both men were silent for a few seconds, but I could see they believed me. They believed I had seen Allemond’s plans in his mind.

  “What do we do?” Rolf asked his father. “Kill them first?”

  Jarrod shook his head. “No, murdering the Monvílles won’t progress our cause. We let them go in the morning. I’ll put off the meeting at the lodge, but I’ll find a way to buy that land.” He sounded so determined I did not doubt him.

  Reaching up, I touched my temple.

  “She’s tired,” Rolf said. “Let her go to bed.”

  “What?” Jarrod asked, coming from his thoughts. “Oh, yes.” He waved one hand. “Off with you, girl.”

  Grateful to Rolf, I left the hall.

  * * * *

  Once upstairs, I was equally grateful to get undressed and have Miriam help me into a nightgown. Just being alone with her in my room eased the throbbing in my head.

  “Did the evening go well, my lady?” she asked.

  How could I possibly answer that? From Jarrod’s perspective, it had been a grand success. From the Monvílles’ perspective, it had been an unmitigated disaster.

  So, I supposed the answer to Miriam’s question would be yes.

  Before I could speak, the door opened and Rolf walked in. I gave Miriam a quick nod. She hurried from the room, closing the door behind herself.

  “Megan,” Rolf breathed.

  I looked over at him, as he’d never spoken to me in such a soft tone. He stood there watching me in a kind of wonder.

  “I almost couldn’t believe what was happening tonight,” he said. “The greenish tinge on Allemond’s arrogant face . . . the dinner . . . you at that harp.” He shook his head. “I’ve gone along with Father these past years to humor him. There was nothing else I could do. But I never thought we had any chance to reach the heights he’s imagined, not until now.”

  I listened, frozen, as he stepped closer.

  “You are everything I have lacked, and I had no idea until tonight,” he went on. “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.”

  My breaths were shallow. No one had ever spoken to me like this before. I’d had no idea Rolf was capable of speaking so many words. Looking into his face, I didn’t see love or desire, but I did see respect, admiration, and value.

  Reaching out, he touched my face and then leaned down to kiss me. This time, it felt different. He was not performing a duty, and when I kissed him back, neither was I.

  His words echoed in my ears.

  You and I could go so far together.

  I touched his chest and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him more easily. We might not have fire or passion or love, but perhaps we were developing mutual respect and need.

  And for me—who’d never once been valued—the prospect of respect and need could be just as seductive as love.

  For the first time since arriving here, I couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

  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.

  Dressi
ng 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.