by Robin Roseau
"Only for brief periods at a time," she said. "Or perhaps not so brief." But then her eyes grew wide, and she clamped her hands over her mouth. It was my turn to laugh, and she turned an interesting shade of red before admitting, "I can't believe I said that. Please don't be offended."
"Do I look offended?" I asked.
* * * *
That afternoon, I brought Mellara and Muranna into my plan. I swore them both to absolute secrecy and then told them about Andro and Valara. "I don't think I can accomplish this alone. I need to know everything we can find out about Valara without it getting out I'm involved, and I need to arrange to meet her. It seems like a tasting might be the opportunity."
"I don't know the particular shop," Muranna said. "I can look into that, though. But I don't think I can learn too much about the girl without being obvious. She's not in our circle, so I can't ask about her. Someone would remember."
At that, we both turned to Mellara. "Me?" she asked with a squeak.
"Only if you think you can help," I said. "And you don't mind."
"I don't mind, Lady Yallameenara," she replied.
"When we're talking about things like this," I suggested, "perhaps you could call me Yalla."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
"Really."
"I'll try. Yalla." She paused. "I don't know what I can learn."
"Maybe if the wine they sell is any good," Muranna said, "then Yalla could have excuse to ask you to acquire some for herself. Would that give you an opportunity?"
"Yes, it might."
"Well then," Muranna said. "We have the start of a plan. But Yalla, it's a slow plan, and it might not work."
"Perhaps not, but I told Andro I'd try."
"Does the queen know about this?"
"Yes."
"All right then," Muranna said. "Oh, intrigue. I do like some good intrigue."
* * * *
My life became a whirlwind.
I had my third evening with Malta. No, we did not have the box alone, although Juleena and Ralalta swore they were surprised to see us. That was only a little awkward. But Ralalta was charming and put us at ease.
I liked the music and paid special attention to the violinist. She was quite gifted, and I could only sigh when comparing my own abilities to hers. Malta held my hand in the dark, but released it when the lights came up during the intermission.
"Juleena," Ralalta said, "Perhaps you and Malta could fetch refreshments for us."
"I'll go," I said. "I invited Malta."
"And yet, you're going to stay here and keep the queen company," Juleena said. "And Malta and I will retrieve something."
"I am warm," said Ralalta. "Something cooling."
"We'll see to it, Mother."
The two women took their leave, and Ralalta turned to me.
"I shouldn't have brought her here."
"Nonsense. We knew you would be here."
I wasn't sure I'd believed them when they'd expressed surprise on first finding us in the queen's box. "Then why-"
"I wanted to see the two of you together," she said. "I was worried about this."
"You do not like Malta?"
"That's not it at all."
"The age difference."
"Yes. The age difference, and Malta doesn't get out much. She has been very careful."
"She said she's worried someone would be using her. She says she's afraid of secrets." I paused. "She said she could trust me."
"Relationships have built on worse ideals," replied the queen. She looked away for a minute then turned back. "Do you wish me to intercede?"
"Between Malta and me? Why would I want that?"
"So that's a 'no'?"
"Correct."
"All right. I will allow this to continue. For now, but you must go slowly, and you must give Larien your attention while she is here."
"Undivided?"
"No, but you must treat her fairly."
"That's why I hurried some of the other suitors," I said. "Do we know how long she's staying?"
"No. I imagine it will depend entirely on how things sit between the two of you."
"She may find me homely."
"She may decide you smell too much of horse."
"She may say something very foolish about my horse!"
Ralalta laughed. "I believe she is likely to be far smarter than that."
"She might not ride."
"It is likely she does. It is unlikely she rides as well as you do."
"Will she ride as well as Muranna?"
"She may only ride as well as Muranna did when the two of you met."
That had been a lot of rides ago, and Muranna was far better than she had been. And so I nodded. "Would she take offense if I tried to make her a better rider?"
"If she does, then she is as foolish as if she had said something untoward about Zana."
* * * *
Malta was quiet during the ride home. I finally asked her, "What's wrong?"
"Would you tell me what the queen wanted to talk about?"
"She wanted to know if I wished her to intercede."
"Oh. And?"
"I asked her why I'd want that. She's allowing us to continue, but she asked me to tread carefully. And she ordered me to give Larien proper attention."
I felt her stiffen beside me.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"No. It's fine. Jealousy isn't a common emotion for me."
"I'm sorry. None of this is my idea."
"I have had experience, Yalla. Not a lot, but compared to you."
"Yeah," I said. "Compared to me."
"This is important. You should know your options. I can give you things others cannot, but they can give you things I cannot."
"I don't need things, Malta. I have Zana and Hamper."
"Well, I didn't mean those kinds of things," she said. "Someone else might be free to lavish you with more attention, or give you adventures I can't give you."
"Is this about money?"
"No. It's about time. I am devoted to my job, and I haven't left Marport outside the queen's business since I took this position. I don't go for rides in the nearby hills or cruises on the bay."
"I don't go on cruises, either. I can't swim."
"Then don't fall overboard," she said. "But do you see?"
"Would you have time for rides, Malta? Can you even ride?"
"Of course I can ride. I even sit astride and post a proper trot. Liessa insisted I learn. And yes, I could find time for rides, but not as often as you like to go."
"No one wants to ride as often as I do. That's no measure."
"But do you see what I am saying?"
"We would do other things," I said. "I will have growing duties, and I would always have other friends, too. I can ride with Muranna, and you and I can share our evenings."
"About Muranna."
"Oh, oh. What about her."
"She can't stay in your bed much longer, Yalla. You know that, don't you?"
I grew quiet then finally admitted, "I hadn't thought about that."
"You'll always be friends, unless she leaves Marport and returns to Alteara. But the days of your slumber parties are drawing to a close."
I didn't say anything to that, and so our walk to my quarters were quiet. We reached the door, and I turned to her. Then, without a word, and still holding both her hands in one of mine, I opened the door and backed into the room, drawing her with me. Her eyes widened.
"You're not staying," I said, "but you're coming in. Only a few minutes."
"This isn't proper."
"You're not staying long enough for either of us to dislodge her clothing and then get either of these gowns back into place, Malta." Then I relaxed my grip on her hands, although not entirely, and stepped backwards.
She followed me.
The room wasn't entirely dark. Mellara had taken care of my needs. The bed was turned down. There was a fire lit, and it looked like it had been recently fe
d. Perhaps she'd kept watch for my return and hurried ahead. There was a lamp lit, too, but turned to low. I moved to it and turned it up only slightly, enough Malta would be able to see the furniture and not bang a knee.
"I want to tell you something. I enjoy your company. I enjoy our kisses. I want this to continue. Do you?"
"Yes, Yalla."
"Good. I want you to touch me, Malta. Here." I brushed fingers on the exposed skin of my shoulders. "I want you to hold me."
"Yalla," she whispered. But she stepped towards me, and I moved into her arms. We held tightly for a moment, and then I felt her lips brushing my shoulder and neck.
"You feel good," I said. "I don't know the rules, Malta."
"I do."
"Then you will be the keeper of our rules," I said. "I am not promising, Malta."
"But you want to know I am serious," she whispered back. "I am very, very serious, Yalla."
"I don't know if I am, Malta. Guard your heart. Promise me."
"I'll try."
After that, there were no more words. We touched and caressed, almost tentatively. I thought it was sweet, and before she left, I wanted more.
I wanted far, far more.
* * * *
Andro and Lady Clareeda both sent notes the following morning, both inviting me riding for the following afternoon. I drafted one note to Lady Clareeda accepting her invitation and to Andro offering this afternoon or the day after tomorrow. I received his reply over lunch accepting the closer of the two. I immediately turned to Muranna.
"We need a fourth," I said. "Whom can you drum up in a hurry?"
"An hour. You could give a girl a warning." But she smiled. "Leave it to me, but I better run."
With that, she was off.
We met in the stable. When I arrived, Muranna was already there along with some boy. I wracked my brain and remembered this was Briton Garlin, the son of one of Lady Griffen's friends. Briton was untitled, but an easygoing fellow.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Lady Yallameenara," he said graciously.
"Drop the 'lady' thing, Briton," I said. "It's good to see you. Let me see to Zana."
"Here she is, Lady Yallameenara," I heard, and I turned to see one of the grooms bringing Zana to me. "Hamper needs a good ride, though."
"Yalla, could I?" Murana asked. "We're not going for a run, are we? Would he listen to me?"
"He doesn't speak Framaran, Muranna," I said. "You know that."
"The basics are the same, right? I can neck rein him?"
"Yes. But don't try the same weight shifts you do. He'll throw you."
"Would he really?"
"Probably not, but I don't speak Framaran Horse, either, and if I rode your horse, I'd have to neck rein. So I don't know for sure. He's a sweet boy."
She laughed, and then the groom went to retrieve Hamper.
Andro showed up before Hamper was ready, leading his own horse. He actually looked quite the dandy, which didn't impress me, and I let my expression reflect my opinion.
"Mother," was all he said.
"Has she seen how I dress when I ride?" I asked. "Show up looking like a peacock again, and I'll be vexed. This is a serious ride, Andro."
"I know, I know. But I can't tell her that, Yallameenara."
"Fine," I said. "But if Hamper throws Muranna, it's your mother's fault."
"Hamper?"
"My second horse," I said. "Muranna wants to ride a real mount, not one of those giants you breed around these parts."
Briton didn't know what to make of the conversation, and I'm not sure Andro did, either, but he and Muranna both laughed, and Briton joined in late.
It only took a few more minutes, and then it was time to mount. Muranna looked annoyed when the groom held Hamper's head, but I'd signaled for him to do so, and I'd do it myself if we dismounted later.
He danced around under her once she was atop, and he kept it up until I offered a whistle to settle down. But he showed her far more moxie than he typically gave me. I had no idea what she was doing to cause it, so I couldn't help her.
We rode up the coast, four friends out and about. Andro and Briton didn't really know each other, so of course, Muranna and I made sure they had the opportunity to talk. In other words, we rode side-by-side, which left no room beside either of us to engage us in conversation.
But finally Muranna said, "Yalla, I think asking to ride Hamper was a mistake. He won't settle down. He's not like this for you."
"You must be sending him signals he doesn't know," I said. "He's not any more spirited than the horses you normally ride."
"Can you make him stop?"
"I can switch with you, Lady Muranna," Briton offered in a gallant tone.
"I have another idea," I said. "Briton, would you help Muranna to dismount?"
I climbed down myself and let Zana's reins drop. Then I moved to Hamper, freshly divested of one rider from his back. "You've been naughty," I told him in Arrlottan. "You like Muranna. Why have you been teasing her so?" But then I tied up his reins so he wouldn't trip on them. "I need all of you to stay here. Control your mounts." Then I hopped back onto Zana's back.
"Hai!" I called. "Zana! Hamper. Hai. Hai!"
We took off into a field, resting for the winter.
I ran them both hard. Of course, Zana was carrying me, so she grew tired before Hamper did. She could ride a trot for hour after hour, but this was a full gallop, her best speed, and this wasn't what my horses did best.
And so when we returned, they were both blowing hard, Hamper following along and still dancing about a bit.
"Andro," I said. "Take Zana." I dropped the reins to him and climbed down, then I collected Hamper, who quieted for me, although he was still breathing hard. I looked into his eyes and then tugged him forward to take Zana back from Andro. I looked back and forth between them.
"Which of you is going to be friendly and let Muranna ride you?" I asked in Arrlottan.
Zana turned her head and nudged my friend, and that was the answer.
Five minutes later, with Muranna atop a well-behaved Zana, she asked, "She understood you, didn't she? I heard my name."
"It appears she did. And she's tired, but she'll be well rested by tomorrow."
* * * *
Lady Clareeda sat her horse well. For sidesaddle. It was the most ridiculous thing I'd seen since arriving in Framara. She wore a dress with layers and layers of petticoats underneath, and a stylish but hopelessly impractical jacket. And she came with chaperones, two of her father's men, who rode along at a small distance. At least that wasn't as ridiculous as her seat and clothing choice.
And she quickly grew cold. We rode away from the city, but were only fifteen minutes outside the gates before she was clearly shivering. Thankfully it was only another mile or so further to a village with an inn. "Could we stop and warm up, Lady Yallameenara?"
"Only if you stop calling me Lady," I said. But I smiled, slipped from Zana, and then helped her from her own horse. She'd need one of the men to help her get back up.
Entirely ridiculous.
But she was pretty, and I would discover not entirely dull-witted. She took my arm and led me into the inn, then immediately moved in front of the fire.
We weren't the only patrons, but it was quiet. A serving girl hurried over and told us we could take any seats we liked.
"Something warm," I said.
"We keep the cider warm in the winter," the girl said. "And we have stew if the lady is hungry."
Clareeda didn't answer, so I said, "Let's start with two of the ciders," I said. "Thank you."
Clareeda let me move her to a table, but she didn't meet my eyes. When the cider came, however, she gave the serving girl a smile and thanks, and then she warmed her hands over the mug.
Finally she looked up. "I must disgust you."
"No," I said. "Puzzle, though."
"We couldn't be more opposite."
"That is not true. You seem bright, and you were kind to the girl."
<
br /> "But this-" she said, breaking off. "And you-" She broke off again. "You're not cold at all, are you?"
"The Hippa is far colder in the winter, and the clothes here are so much better than what we have, although I've not seen anything that would compare for the coldest of weather. We bundle in furs."
"The Hippa?"
"I should call it Garneer. You know where I'm from."
"Oh. Yes." She looked down at her mug.
"Was this your mother's idea, or your father's?"
"Mine," she said. "My mother is dead."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"I live with my aunt. She wasn't pleased when I asked my grandfather to offer my petition."
"Because I am a woman, or because I am not everyone's first example of how a woman ought to behave?"
"If you weren't the queen's foster daughter, my aunt wouldn't have allowed it."
I thought that was my answer. "I'm not going to apologize for who I am, Clareeda."
"I don't want you to," she said firmly. "Oh Yallameenara, I want to be you."
"The outrageous talk of the town?"
"No. Look at you," she said with a gestured. "You're so dashing and beautiful at the same time. And look at me. I try so hard, but Aunt Barlotta has standards."
"And I do not fit those standards."
"It's ridiculous," she said. "Who rides a horse in a dress and petticoats so she must ride sidesaddle?"
"I imagine your aunt doesn't ride at all."
"No, she doesn't, although she used to, and she rode like this." She hid her face. "Oh, I'm making such a muddle of this."
I reached over and pulled her hands away. "Please don't hide from me, Clareeda," I said. "It's not that bad. Okay, today is a little awkward, but we can get past it."
"What must you think?"
"I think there are things you haven't told me. Why are you under your aunt's thumb?"
"She holds the lands. Even Grandfather is dependent upon her."
"How did that happen?"
"They were my grandmother's lands, and when she died, she willed them to her daughters with certain stipulations."
"Ah. Tell me of the more interesting stipulations."
"My grandfather receives a stipend, enough to maintain his station, and my aunt cannot withhold it."
"That still has to be galling for him."
"I suppose it is. And then there's me. My aunt holds her share of the land, and my mother's, and mine passes to me only if I marry with her blessing."