by Robin Roseau
"So she could withhold her blessing."
"There is a clause that allows me to petition the queen, if my aunt withholds approval of a match that is clearly good to me."
"I see. And who has she presented to you?"
"Boys. Boys she can control."
"Oh, she is not going to approve of me at all, is she?"
"No."
I smiled. "I like it already. And she would be a fool to let this go before the queen. I believe I have the picture."
"I'm not as predatory as that, Yallameenara," she said. "I truly do admire you. And..."
"And?"
"I know I look ridiculous today, but I know other things."
"Oh?"
"I know I'm not homely. And I know I'm not stupid. I'm not cruel. I'm an accomplish pianist and gifted dancer. I am a good host and can manage a household."
"Those are all good things," I said.
"And I want to ride properly. I truly do. I'd never be as good as you."
"It would be enough we could ride. I imagine you can't post a trot like that."
"Heavens no. But if I had proper clothes, and maybe a teacher, I could learn. Couldn't I?"
"I imagine you could," I said.
"I'd come with lands. An income. My aunt couldn't deny me."
"Could she give you the poor lands?" I asked.
She smiled. "My mother was older. I get first pick. If there is a dispute-"
"Wait. Let me guess. It goes to the queen."
"Yes, it does."
I nodded. "You know you are not my only suitor."
"No."
"And I am not going to be rushed."
"I don't blame you."
"And I'm told that while I am allowed multiple suitors, you are not."
"No," she said, her voice low. "I am not. Pity, that, isn't it? I don't care if you want me or not. Okay, I do. I really do. But even if you don't, do you think you could go along with it, at least for a while?"
I thought about it. I seemed to be collecting orphans and lost children right and left. Lizzie and Betsa, Andro, and now Clareeda.
"All right," I said. "For now, this is what we're going to do. We'll continue to see each other, although I'll have to deny you for a few weeks."
"Why?"
"My suitor from Alteara is coming."
"Oh."
"Don't be jealous. It's not my idea."
"I know. I'll try."
"Don't invite me riding anymore, but I'd love to hear you play piano, and come to dinner, and the other things you like to do."
"But-"
"If you want to go riding, you will do so properly attired, by my standards. If you ask, I will help you pick clothes. But we're not going out with you like this again. Even Zana thought it was ridiculous, and she's outside right now laughing at your horse."
"That's not funny."
"Sure it is," I said. "You can tell your aunt that my barbarian horse was laughing at your prim and proper horse, and that if she wants the queen's foster daughter as her niece-in-law, she might have to flex a little."
Clareeda looked into her mug for a while.
"If you don't want to have that conversation with her, don't," I said. "There are plenty of things we can do. If this progresses, you won't be under her thumb, anyway, and you can do whatever you want."
She looked up at that. "But not if she marries me off to one of those boys."
"I can't promise that much, Clareeda. You know that."
"I know. I hear you play the violin."
"Yes, but it would be a mistake to say I am accomplished." But then I smiled. "However, I frequently play with the queen and the princess, so this could work out quite well for you."
* * * *
I will skip ahead in a way. Clareeda remained a suitor for as long as it was practical. No, we certainly would not marry, but I helped to keep her aunt's choices at bay, and I know for that, she was grateful.
She really was quite the pianist, and yes, she found more than one opportunity to play with Ralalta and Juleena. And me, but my playing hardly mattered.
I liked her. I liked her quite a lot, actually. Of course, her aunt hated me and did little to hide it, but that didn't surprise me. But Clareeda was quite charming, especially when further from a horse. And if at first she was a tentative kisser, she wouldn't remain so.
But the world turns, and our paths diverged.
I do not know if she was left to marry one of her aunt's choices, or if she found another way to break free.
Wine Merchant
I assembled the second official meeting in our plan I called Save Andro. Muranna brought a bottle of wine to share amongst three of us. I didn't have remotely the palate she did, but I thought it was good, and she declared it, "Actually quite respectable. This part of your plan will work, Yalla."
We turned to Mellara. I quietly pulled out my purse and set a modest stack of coins into her hands. "Will that be enough?"
She looked through it and nodded. "I'll learn what I can, Yalla."
Mellara came back two days later and reported. "I couldn't learn much," she said. "Not without being obvious. The servants seem to like her, at least more than her sister. Her mother is deemed brilliant and careful with money, but not stingy."
"So, what we know sounds good, but it's thin," I said.
"One more thing. They do tastings monthly, year round. The next is the day after tomorrow."
I immediately turned to Muranna. "How do I get an invitation?"
"You don't need one," Mellara said. "They're open to the public. You just show up. There's a fee, and by my standards, it's a little steep."
"Andro said he met her at a tasting. I shouldn't go alone. Muranna, do I take you, or do I engage one of my other suitors?"
"Oh, you aren't getting rid of me now."
"Excellent."
"May I come?" Mellara asked. "I mean-" She hung her head. "I'm sorry. I just."
"Of course you may come," I said. "And I'll pay your fee."
"You're paying mine, too," Muranna said. "This is your project, after all."
"Fine. I suppose you want a new hat, but that you can buy yourself."
She laughed. And yes, she bought a new hat.
* * * *
We were fashionably late and discovered the tastings were popular. Their shop was beautiful, inside and out, and I immediately turned to Muranna, "I like it."
"So do I," she said.
There was lovely, rich wood everywhere, the flickering lights adding to an almost romantic mood, and I decided then I'd come next month, this time with one of my suitors. This would make for a lovely evening.
The shop was filled with rows of wine shelves, of course, and two long counters. It was behind the counters that the servers stood.
Mellara stepped up and said, "From the description, I think that one's Valara." She gestured subtly, and I followed her gaze.
"She's lovely," I said.
"Quite," Muranna agreed. "If Andro didn't want her, I'd give her a go."
"Behave," I said.
"We have to pay our fee there," Mellara said. And so she led our way, standing in line behind another couple before approaching the counter. There was a woman there, clearly a former beauty, her long, dark hair now edged in white, and dressed as elegantly as anyone in the room.
"Welcome to Chinden Street Wines," the woman said. "I am Tarmeen. Is this your first time among us?"
"It is," I said. "I've never attended a tasting before. Have you, Muranna?"
"Once," she said. "Elsewhere."
The woman cocked her head. "Lady Yallameenara."
I inclined my head before sliding crowns across for the three of us.
"Perhaps I can arrange for someone to escort you," Tarmeen offered.
"Don't be silly," I said. "You are busy, and we aren't any more important than your other guests. Maybe, if it grows quieter before we leave, we'll ask for a little tour, but we're not here for a fuss."
"But-"
"Really. No fuss. Please."
"Of course, Lady Yallameenara." She slid three small stacks of tokens to us. "You present one of these for each tasting. We have a variety of wines available tonight, and any of the servers can help describe them. Some of our guests like to select rather willy-nilly. Others make a plan."
"How excellent," I said. "So we can approach any of the servers we wish, or do they serve different wines at each station?"
"They can all help you equally," she said.
"Most excellent," I repeated. "Thank you, Tarmeen. I've been looking forward to this."
We stepped away, and I passed out the tokens. The three of us put our heads together. "Are they wearing nametags or something?"
Mellara looked for me. "I think so."
"Okay, we're going to walk past. Mellara, try to read Valara's nametag, verify it's her, but we'll keep going."
And so I set a path that would cross what I hoped was close enough to the girl in question. She really was quite lovely, with straight, blond hair and slender, gracious features. She was speaking to another of the guests as we passed, and then Mellara whispered, "It's her."
"Perfect," I said, then I drew us to another server, two places further along.
There we learned about their wines, and I let Muranna guide us. Mellara asked for assistance making her first choice, and so Muranna asked, "Do we want to each try the same wines, or each something different?"
They looked at me, and I said, "Whatever the two of you decide."
"Could we do the same?" Mellara asked. "Do you mind teaching me, Muranna?"
"I don't mind at all." She turned back to the server, and a minute later we were walking away with our three small glasses of white.
It was bright and a little bubble and brisk. Muranna talked a little about it, but I only paid half attention while looking about the room.
Then I noticed Tarmeen slipping around the room to talk to the server we'd just visited. I watched her head back, and she didn't speak to any of the others, so I smiled.
"Tarmeen just tattled on us," I said. "I think we should make her work."
We finished our glasses. Mellara looked uncertain. And while I didn't hate it, it wouldn't be my favorite of the night. But Muranna asked how we felt.
"Something different for the next," I said.
"Was this a good wine, Muranna?"
"There are no bad wines here, Mellara, but it can be about the pairing as much as anything else. This is a wine that desperately wants to be consumed over a meal, and I should have chosen better. I'm sorry."
I led us to a different server for the second sample, this time one step closer to Valara. Muranna picked something entirely different for us this time, and I could tell this suited Mellara far better. When I got a chance I whispered to Muranna, "I want to buy two bottles of that for Mellara."
She nodded, and I knew she'd remember which one. "I'm going to buy a case of the first for Lady Griffen," she said. "It really is a good dinner wine."
We roamed the room, and I could feel Tarmeen's eyes upon me. And then I saw her approach our second server.
"Oh, I know that expression," Muranna said. "Valara now?"
"Not quite yet," I said.
And as soon as Tarmeen was back at her station, we skipped over Valara and visited a third server. Muranna collected yet a third wine, and it was clear from the first sip it wasn't to Mellara's taste.
"This is why you come to a tasting, Mellara," Muranna explained. "I picked something daring. This would also be good with a meal, but something very biting. I have to admit, alone, I don't care for it, but I may stock a few bottles for just the right meal. I'd have to leave notes with it so I would remember when to serve it."
"I think Tarmeen is onto us," Mellara said. "She's going server to server."
I looked, and the woman had her eyes on us. I saluted her with the glass, and she grinned, realizing I had been playing with her. But she still went on to speak to the other servers.
"Now we wait," I said. "Valara next."
Valara seemed popular, and fifteen minutes later I was growing frustrated. But then I felt Tarmeen step up.
"Is there something wrong, Lady Yallameenara? Perhaps one of the servers can help you."
"I wanted to speak with her next," I said with a gesture. "She seems the most popular."
"Ah, that is Valara," she said. "I'm sure one of the others-"
"We're not in a hurry," I said.
"But-"
"You have a lovely location," I said. "Muranna is really the expert here, but I can already tell we'll be placing an order. I presume you can arrange delivery."
"We can," she said. "Are you sure-"
"I like the way she gives attention to her guests," I said. "We can wait."
We didn't have to wait much longer than that, as Tarmeen helped to clear the crowd from in front of Valara. And so, with a smile, the three of us stepped up to her. Tarmeen provided an introduction.
And Valara gave me the cold shoulder. Interesting.
I let Muranna make our selection, sampled it, and smiled. "Valara, as you have a temporary reprieve, perhaps you could offer me a small, private tour."
"I'm sure one of the others-"
I leaned closer and spoke very quietly. "You."
She looked into my eyes. "Fine," she said and turned her back.
Muranna and Mellara stayed behind, and I followed along in Valara's stiff wake. She showed me about and talked about where they got their wines, what makes a good wine, and everything wine.
"Valara."
"And over here."
"Valara."
She turned to me. "Why are you here? Why me?"
"Andro."
She grimaced.
"Ah," I said. "He is mistaken. He believes you return his affections. I am sorry to have bothered you. I'll find a way to tell him you reject his suit."
I turned away, embarrassed, and began to stride from the room, but from behind me, she said, "What?"
I stopped, and she ran around in front of me. "What do you mean, I reject his suit."
"I assumed your expression at his name was dislike."
"Yes. At you."
"Me? We have barely met."
"You would take him from me."
"On the contrary. I am here to arrange quite the opposite."
"What?"
"Perhaps you do not want my help."
"Your help? His mother is making him court you."
"To be quite blunt, Valara, if I had my choice, it would be you before Andro."
Her eyes widened.
"I haven't the slightest interest in him, and the only way we would marry would be if the queen ordered it. And she has indicated she will do no such thing. Andro and I will not be marrying, and he will be courting me only as long as it takes us for Britneé to relent."
"What?"
"Assuming you really do return his affections."
"Of course I do!"
"Well then," I said with a smile. "Perhaps you would do me the honor of becoming me new, close friend." I set an arm around her shoulder. "Do you think I could have that tour now?"
We walked slowly, talking. She taught me a little about their operations. I talked a little about my plan. Before we returned to the public areas I admitted, "I don't know if this is going to help. It might hurt. I do not have the best reputation for this, and I can't grant you a title. I don't know if she'll relent for anything less. What does your family say?"
"They would allow his suit," she said, "but not if he is penniless. And."
"And?"
"I love it here, Lady Yallameenara."
"Now, now. We're the best of friends," I said. "My closest friends call me Yalla."
"I couldn't."
"You're going to have to if we're going to pull this off," I said. "Get used to it."
She smiled. "Yes, Yalla. Why are you doing this?"
"Because maybe I can help, and Andro looked so sad, and because, well,
because maybe I can." I smiled. "And I like making new friends. Now you were talking about loving it here."
"Oh. Andro doesn't know anything about the wine business, and he's hopeless besides. My aunt will have to grant me a portion of the business. She's said so. She can't stand the idea of me breaking away and becoming competition for her. And it would be enough for me, but Andro has a title, and those are expensive to keep."
"To be honest, I don't know how that works," I said. "But you wish to remain tied to the family business, and Andro can't defy his mother."
"I've told him we could be happy. I'd make enough. We wouldn't be rich, but we'd have a roof, clothing, and wouldn't starve."
"But he needs to contribute his share or it is an uneven relationship."
"Yes, and it won't be in the wine business."
"I understand entirely. Valara, I have to admit. I know very little about wine. It goes in a glass and you drink it. I like some more than others. Muranna says your wine is respectable. What I don't know is if it's respectable enough for the palace."
"You want to serve our wine in the palace?"
"I don't know. I can't make that offer. But I can give you the chance to present it at the palace. The thing is, if you aren't going to measure up, or measure up only for the most informal of occasions, then we should do so privately. On the other hand, if Ralalta could safely serve your wine for formal events, then a public presentation would be better for you. But I can't tell, and Muranna hasn't been willing to say."
"We're served in some of the great houses in Marport," she said. "But the palace. I don't know, either." She paused. "Does this need to be secret? If we're talking about our wine at the palace, we can't do this behind my aunt's back."
"Tarmeen?"
"Yes."
"I like her. She was fun to vex."
She laughed. "She's not used to being played with."
"Oh, she's going to hate me."
"Not when she knows you're trying to help."
"Look. Can you ride?"
"Quite well, actually. Not like you, though."
"Why does everyone say that?" I asked. "Can you win your freedom for a few hours tomorrow? I'd like to go riding. They say it might snow, and I love to ride in the snow." I narrowed my eyes. "You don't do something foolish like ride sidesaddle do you?"
She laughed. "No. And yes, I'd love to go. Afternoon? Where do we meet?"