Page 59 of The Darkland

Within an hour, a messenger was speeding for Quernmore Castle.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Clad in abright blue surcoat that, even with its simplicity, was the very best surcoat she owned, Mara was escorted to the evening meal by Niles. The sun had set and an expensive display of torches lit the corridors as she was led from her comfortable chamber to the smoky and crowded hall below.

Kirk had remained with le Vay all afternoon, affording Mara a good deal of time alone. A chambermaid came late in the day to help her with her surcoat, the only surcoat she had packed, and the woman pressed it as Mara sat in a big copper tub. Lady Lily had sent her a bar of scented soap and Mara felt like a hypocrite for accepting a gift from a woman she had sworn to hate. But her guilt did not prevent her from stashing the bar in her satchel.

The chambermaid had styled her hair, brushing it until it gleamed with auburn highlights. Pulling it away from her face, the woman secured it with an old clip that had once belonged to Mara’s mother. Dressed in a surcoat that was far too thin for the winter air, Mara passed the time until supper gazing from the window overlooking a neat bailey and very high walls.

Twice, she saw Sir Spencer. He waved to her and she responded weakly, retreating from the window until he moved on. He was a nice man, but she truly wasn’t interested and she was coming to regret her attempts to make Kirk jealous. She suspected, if Spencer persisted, that it would be necessary to inform the man he was barking up the wrong tree.

The afternoon had passed into evening and still no Kirk. Niles appeared at her door shortly after sundown, his eyes gleaming with appreciation at the sight of her. Cold in the thin surcoat but without anything to wear other than her mother’s worn cloak, Mara braved the chill and allowed him to escort her to the hall where a great feast had been set.

Having never attended a lavish supper, other than the meals at Anchorsholme, Mara was entranced with the beauty and warmth. Banks of tallow candles graced the corners of the room and a massive fire blazed in the hearth. Several people were already seated, including Lady Lily’s women. But she turned her nose up at them as she passed their table, snubbing them for having paid attention to Kirk. Niles grinned when he saw what she was up to.

“If you put your nose any further into the air, a bird will nest in it,” he murmured in her ear.

Mara struggled not to crack a smile. “I am sure I have no idea what you mean.”

He laughed softly. “You cannot blame them, Mara. Kirk is like a god to them. Instead of showing your disregard, mayhap you should show your pity. You have, after all, what they want.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way. Her stance began to soften. “But Lady Lily….”

“Lady Lily is to be married at the end of the month, to a great knight in Henry’s court. You needn’t worry over her, or the rest of these women. Kirk has eyes only for you.”

Her smile broke through, weakly. “And I have eyes only for him.” Her smile suddenly faded as her gaze moved across the room. “Oh… my goodness, Niles. I see Sir Spencer. And he is waving to us.”

Nile’s head snapped in the direction she was indicating and his eyes narrowed. “I think it would be best if we sit over here, away from him.” He stopped at the next available space, seating Mara while still keeping check on Spencer. “All we need is for the man to pay you more attention and we shall have a bloodbath on our hands.”

Mara’s back was to Spencer. “Kirk would really kill him?”

Niles took his seat. “You have no idea what the man is capable of when provoked.” He motioned for wine. “I have seen him… well, it does not matter. But he is most protective of you and I….”

“So you have chosen to sit here?” Spencer was on her other side, helping himself to the vacant seat. “Then this will suit me fine, as well. Good eve, Niles.”

Mara smiled weakly as Niles cast the man a heady look. Spencer, however, ignored the knight, bringing Mara’s hand to his lips.

“My lady looks ravishing tonight,” he said smoothly, his pale eyes glittering. “I trust you have a healthy appetite for tonight’s fare? Wild boar I killed myself.”

Mara pulled her hand away as discreetly as she could manage, glancing about to see if Kirk had entered the room. “How… how impressive, Sir Spencer. I am sure your skill is amazing.”

He shrugged modestly, taking a chalice offered by a serving wench. In the balcony, a cluster of minstrels began to play and Mara glanced up, watching the performance. Across the swell of her breasts, Niles and Spencer exchanged glares.

“I have always been rather fond of the hunt,” he said, still hexing Niles with his stare. When Mara looked away from the musicians, he smiled warmly. “And you? Do you hunt, my lady?”

She shook her head. “I do not. But I am rather good at catching rabbits. Unfortunately, they are so cute that I have a difficult time killing them.”

Spencer laughed, deep and hearty. “Take heart, my lady. Boars are ugly, so you may be guilt-free when consuming their meat.”

Mara smiled at his humor, noticing over his shoulder that one of Lady Lily’s women seemed to be glaring at her. Her smile faded and, without tact, she pointed at the woman. “Sir Spencer, who is that lady? She is frowning at me.”

Spencer glanced over his shoulder, clearing his throat when he realized who Mara was indicating. “That is the Lady Juliet.” He turned his back on the woman. “And it is not you she is frowning at, but me.”

“You?” Mara lifted an eyebrow. “Have you angered her somehow?”

Spencer wriggled his eyebrows, turning his attention to the guests filling the hall. “I suppose so. I rejected her suit.”

“Oh.” Mara looked at the lady again, rather small and average-looking. “No wonder she is frowning.”