Page 42 of A Most Forgettable Girl

“Well, that is what they say in my home county.”

Mistress Bartree cleared her throat. “I believe Sir Christopher is one of the Hamford Lellands, Your Majesty,” she said, casting down her eyes.

“What is a Hamford Lelland?” the Queen asked. “It sounds like a kind of loaf cake.”

Her lady-in-waiting looked pained. “His uncle played a prominent role in the battle of Adarva,” she said gravely. “Being a childless man, Sir Christopher is his heir.”

“Ah, I see. So, his uncle garnered glory in the late war and Wymer rewarded him with land. This Sir Christopher, is he a warlike man like his uncle?”

“Not at all!” Gunnilde replied. “He is tall but stooping man and mild of speech and manner. He is several years older than Muriel. Why, his hair is already quite gray!”

The Queen nodded. “I see it all clear in my mind,” she said dreamily. “And Sir Arthur, after he did not honor his late father’s arrangements with your own, he married another?”

“I believe his sister had high hopes of securing him a grand heiress, but I have not heard if she actually managed to find him one yet,” Gunnilde admitted.

“You should find out,” the Queen said emphatically. “If her husband brings her to court, then you should hold some select gathering and invite this Muriel who thinks so highly of her brother’s prospects. Then she will be forced to acknowledge you as hostess and bear witness to your triumph. I will attend as your guest of honor,” she said generously.

“Your Majesty!” Gunnilde breathed. “Would you really?”

“I would. You must invite Sir Arthur also and his bride if he has one. It would be amusing to see him discomforted by your superior status. You could reserve one of the function rooms here at the palace for the purpose. This former suitor of yours, he is good-looking?” she asked.

Gunnilde considered this. “I always thought so, Your Majesty,” she admitted. “His features are not distinct, but he has a pleasant smile and a neat, short beard and manners that have the distinction of a true gentleman born and bred.”

Armenal looked underwhelmed by this description. “So then, he will be as nothing compared to Sir James.”

“No, but few men would bear such a comparison,” Gunnilde said fairly.

A bell chimed in the distance, signifying it was midday. The crowds of courtiers started moving unhurriedly in the direction of the door.

“You will not go to the Great Hall to break your fast, Gunnilde,” the Queen decided. “Instead, you will accompany me back to my private rooms and join myself and Magnatrude.”

Gunnilde flushed with gratification, though she dared not look toward Mistress Bartree to gauge her reaction to the invitation.

13

James returned from the Gregorys’ house at midday. After finding their quarters empty and no sign of Bennett or any food about the place, he decided he would have to brave the Great Hall in search of sustenance. Yanking the door open, he found Hal Payne stood there, his hand raised as though about to knock.

“Oh, there you are, Wycliffe,” he said, lowering his hand. “We thought we would come and see if you were coming down to eat.” Hal was flanked again by two friends, though Kit had been replaced by a newcomer. All of them looked flushed and tousled as though they had been running exercises all morning. The new boy had grass stains up the right leg of his yellow hose.

“This is Hadrian Kellingford,” Hal said, pointing his thumb toward a tanned-looking youth who was staring at James with open curiosity.

“How do you do,” James said, extending his hand.

“Very well, as it happens,” Hadrian asserted, shaking his hand. “You really married to Payne’s sister?” he asked cheekily.

“I am.” Kellingford, thought James. Was that not another of Hal’s friends he had thought would do for Gunnilde? James shut the door behind him and locked it. “We’ll go down together, then, shall we?”

“Where’s my sister?”

“She had plans to wait on the Queen this morning.”

“Oh. What about Neville?” Hal asked, looking about as though James had stashed him somewhere.

“I have not the faintest idea,” James admitted. “I have been out all morning in the city.”

“Maybe we’ll see them down there,” Hal said, looking faintly disappointed.

“Hal wants to show you off,” Cuthbert said, as they started down the corridor. “He’s been telling the fellows about you all morning.”