Page 84 of A Most Forgettable Girl

“And is she married?” Suddenly it was imperative that Gunnilde knew this.

“She was married to a farrier at one point,” James replied, crinkling his brow. “I do not remember seeing him in a good while though, and she goes by her father’s family name so...” He shrugged.

“Oh.” She did not know if she was reassured by that or not.

He approached her with a slightly self-conscious air and lifted her hand, kissing her wrist and holding it for just a little longer than was strictly necessary. Gunnilde’s spirits rose. Words appeared to tremble on his lips. She held her breath. At this moment Kit cleared his throat and James seemed to snap out of it, releasing her and taking his leave without more ado.

Hal swiftly volunteered to accompany Gunnilde to the Queen’s rooms that morning, and though she initially suspected it was because he wished to catch the eye of some lady or other, it soon became apparent he had another motivation.

“Had a letter from our father this morning,” he started portentously once they had left the courtiers’ quarters behind them. He winced. “He’s cutting up rough, truth be told.”

“Over my marriage?” Gunnilde’s heart sank though she was not entirely surprised to hear this. Father could be difficult at times.

“Yes,” Hal agreed. “His nose is properly out of joint. It’s mostly bluster but he’s saying the gates of Payne Manor are barred against to you at present.” He cast her a sympathetic look. “He’ll likely be over it in a couple of months, you know what he is like.”

Gunnilde huffed. “You would think he would be glad of the fact I’ve a husband now. He certainly did precious little to bring my married state about!”

“I know,” Hal agreed. “And it’s not as though Wycliffe is a poor prospect. He’s pretty decent, all told.”

Gunnilde felt the color creeping into her cheeks. “You approve of him for a brother-in-law?” she asked in a carefully casual tone.

“Aye, I do,” Hal agreed absently. “He’s not who I would have chosen for you, mind, but you could have done a lot worse.”

As Hal had already told her of his own candidates for the role, Gunnilde disregarded this as a valid criticism. “I myself was not initially convinced we were ideally suited, but since then, we have rubbed along quite admirably together.”

Her tone sounded stifled to her own ears, for she did not want Hal to know the fresh turn her feelings had taken. He might think her fickle or simply dazzled by the male beauty of James’s face and form. She cast a sidelong look at his face, but her brother did not look unduly critical of her words.

“Aye, you’ve both been sensible and made the best of it,” he agreed readily enough.

Strangely, his words did not please her. She would have preferred a ringing endorsement of their compatibility but perhaps that was too much to hope for. “Yes,” she agreed flatly.

“Conway would likely not have made you much of a husband, in truth,” Hal continued consideringly. “His mother and sister have the sway of him, and you would have had a battle on your hands to rank higher with him than them. I know you and Mildred were always friends but...”

“Muriel,” Gunnilde corrected him. “His sister’s name was Muriel.”

“But she always liked to have the upper hand of things, did she not?”

Hal was strangely perceptive at times. Muriel had indeed always been the leader and Gunnilde her follower. “It’s been an age since I spent any time with her,” she sighed. “Those girlhood days seem an age ago. Since her marriage she has not bothered to correspond with me at all. I invited her and Sir Christopher to my banquet, but I doubt whether they will attend. They are not much at court it seems.”

“You have other friends now, in any case,” Hal said dismissively. Did she? Gunnilde considered this. She wished Eden was at court. “You will invite your fellow ladies-in-waiting I expect.”

“Oh, them.” She could not muster much by way of enthusiasm.

“Estrilda would certainly attend,” he said airily. “And perhaps Emma Thackeray.”

Emma Thackeray? Gunnilde looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Was this a new favorite of his? “Oh yes? I will have to invite them, then. What say you to Mistress Stanhope?”

“A most amiable girl,” he replied at once. “But I say you should ask ’em all! Why not? The more the merrier, I say.”

Gunnilde gave a laugh. “I can see why you’re so popular, Hal.”

“That’s better,” he said approvingly. “Now you look like your old self. You were too quiet at table. Not really ill, are you?”

“No, I just don’t feel very excited about the banquet anymore. I hope the Conways don’t come,” she admitted in a rush. “I don’t really care about seeing them again, even if the Queen does desire it.”

Hal looked surprised by this, but when he opened his mouth it was not to question the Queen’s motivations but to ask if Sir Ned would receive an invite.

“Sir Ned?” Gunnilde prevaricated, as though she could scarcely recall him to mind.