Page 5 of An Ill-Made Match

“You don’t need to be worried, milord,” Cuthbert said, raising his head and dropping the metal gauntlet he had been cleaning. “I already did her a reading with the bones. Nothing but good omens for her delivery. Twin golden suns with long rays and no shadows.”

“So she told me, Cuthbert,” said Oswald. “She was much reassured.”

“Cuthbert,” said Roland severely. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re a knight’s squire now. You can’t be running around reading palms and telling fortunes like some old hedge-crone.”

Cuthbert spat onto his breastplate, and then calmly polished it with his cloth.

Roland narrowed his eyes “Is he trying to be impudent?” he asked his brother. “Because I can’t quite make up my mind.”

“Don’t annoy him,” recommended Oswald quietly. “His Granny’s a witch.”

“Wise woman,” Cuthbert corrected him, not even looking up from his task.

“And he has excellent hearing,” added Oswald.

Roland rolled his eyes. “You’re no more superstitious than I.”

“I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mother Ames,” said Oswald. “She’s still journeying up for Fenella’s lying-in, isn’t she Cuthbert? Only I thought she’d have arrived by now.”

“Aye, she’s well,” said Cuthbert looking up. “She’ll be here by Wednesday.”

“Wednesday next week?” echoed Roland. “What if Fen drops tomorrow? She’s big as a house!”

“Next week,” repeated Cuthbert sagely, nodding his head. ”She’ll be here in plenty of time. You’ll see.”

**

One month later, Hallam Hall, seat of the Montmayne family, Vetchfield

“I thought you’d be wearing the blue gown,” exclaimed Eden in surprise as her cousin turned from the looking glass in a dusky rose damask. “Is the blue not your current favorite?”

Lenora shrugged. “It doesn’t really signify.”

Eden regarded her beadily. “It’s your betrothal feast,” she pointed out.

“I thought you might wear the blue,” said Lenora, with a studied casualness which made Eden’s spine stiffen.

“Me?” They hadn’t worn each other’s gowns since they were girls, and then not in public. “Why on earth would you think such a thing?” Eden looked down at her own gown, which was her customary black. “I am very well as I am.” Her gaze sought out Hannah, the maid she and Lenora shared and she rose her eyebrows speakingly. Hannah shrugged, as she started to comb through Lenora’s blonde locks.

“Of course you are,” agreed Lenora calmly. “I just thought, as it was a celebration you might make an exception.” She shrugged. “Will you at least let me lend you my pearls?”

“Your pearls?” echoed Eden. “Certainly not. I am very well with these glass beads. It is you who will be the focus of all attention, as the bride-to-be. I am merely your attendant.”

“I’ll just braid the front sections and leave the back down loose, like the pretty maid you are,” said Hannah with satisfaction.

“Will you pass me up Griselda?” Lenora asked Eden, ignoring her maid’s words and holding out her arms for her cat.

Eden looked down and found Lenora’s white cat rubbing herself against her skirts. She scooped her up and deposited her on her cousin’s lap.

“Where are her kittens?” asked Eden. “Did you leave them at court?”

“Oh no,” said Lenora looking shocked. She waved a vague hand in the direction of her bed. “They’re all sleeping.”

Eden glanced over and saw the four little balls of fur snuggled up inside Lenora’s best hat. “I hope you weren’t planning on wearing that pearl-encrusted toque,” she said dryly.

“Oh milady,” tutted Hannah, following the direction of her gaze. “You didn’t ought to let them ruin your nice things.”

“Leave them be Hannah, they’re quite comfortable there after the long journey home,” said Lenora. “Unless you wanted to borrow it, Eden?”