by MJ Haag
“I apologize,” I said. “I didn’t think us late.”
Alec stood as we approached the table and pulled out the chair to his right.
“You’re not. We were early, Miss Hovtel.”
Blye, who sat beside Father, narrowed her eyes at my placement next to Lord Ruhall. I sat and let him push me in. He gave the same courtesy to Ila, who sat beside me and across from Blye.
“Hello, Mr. Hovtel,” Ila said softly.
Father smiled at her.
“It is good to see you again, Ila. How are your sisters?”
“Well, thank you. A few have found husbands since we last saw you.”
Blye’s gaze bounced between the pair before understanding dawned. Her lips thinned in disapproval. I ignored her.
“You should see the dress Ila made me, Father. It is truly stunning.”
“I look forward to seeing it tomorrow,” Alec said, his eyes on me.
Mr. Crow’s arrival saved me from needing to respond. He entered the room slowly, carrying a heavily laden tray. I stood quickly and went to help him.
“Thank you, Miss,” he said. “It wasn’t heavy when I left the kitchen.”
“I had the same problem with the press. The handle turned with ease the first few times.”
I set it on the table and moved aside so Mr. Crow could serve us.
Alec again helped me sit. This time his arm brushed against mine. No one seemed to notice as Mr. Crow began to set our soup bowls before us.
“This looks delicious. Thank you,” I said when my bowl waited before me. Orange and thick, the aroma hinted at squash and onion.
The table grew quiet as we ate. I was surprised when Mr. Crow returned a short while later and held the door open for Kara. She carried in a large platter with a roast surrounded by peeled potatoes.
She set the dish on the table as Mr. Crow took our bowls and replaced them with plates. The first slice of roast she set to the side. The second slice she set on Alec’s plate. The smell made my mouth water.
“Thank you, Kara,” Alec said after she added potatoes. He waited until we each had our portions before picking up his fork. I beat him to the first bite. The last time I’d eaten roast escaped me. While enchanted, the estate or the beast usually fed me finger food.
I chewed slowly, savoring the flavor and remembered. It had been at the Kinlyn’s. Mrs. Kinlyn had served us roast, and I’d met Henick for the first time. I smiled and took another bite.
“The roast pleases you,” Alec said. I noticed he no longer ate but only studied me.
“Very much. It’s been a long while since I last tasted roast.” I took another bite.
“Roast isn’t typically served here?” Blye asked.
With my mouth full, Alec answered her.
“A stew is much easier for the kitchen to prepare while they try to shore the winter stores.”
“I’m honored you had a special meal prepared for us, Lord Ruhall,” Ila said.
Blye’s lips thinned again. Her distaste for Ila was obvious, and I wanted to kick my sister under the table.
“I’m honored you could join us, Ila,” Alec said. “Tell me what news you have from the Water.”
And with that, he let Ila lead the conversation and Blye sulk quietly in her chair.
* * * *
Egrit woke me with a knock on my door. The place beside me still held Alec’s heat. He always managed to come and go without being caught. Too many years prowling as a beast had honed his nocturnal skills.
“Good morning,” she said softly when I opened the door. “I started water heating in the laundry so the children can wash before the feast. Tam is bringing bath water to Lord Ruhall’s room. Would you like him to bring some to your old room, too?”
“Would he mind?”
“Not at all. Mr. Crow said that we have no duties today other than setting up for the feast. Tam and I still milked the goats and collected eggs, though.”
“Tell Tam thank you for his hard work. You too,” I said, reaching out to touch her arm.
“You’re welcome, Benella. The water should be in your room in an hour.”
I nodded, and she walked away. Down the hall, another door opened and Ila stepped out to wave to me. I joined her and saw my dress laid out on her bed.
“Should we take it to your room?”
“I’m going to use the Lady’s room to bathe. Let’s take it there.” Better she thought me overreaching than for her to see I had no bed in my room. She picked up the dress, and I carried the underskirt and matching slippers.
“This is truly amazing.” I spoke softly in the hallway, not wanting to wake Blye or Father.
“I cannot wait to see you in it. Let me know as soon as you have it on.”
I opened the door to the large room. It was just as I’d left it. We set everything out on the bed, and I pulled the tub out from under its table.
“Let’s see if there’s anything to eat in the kitchen,” I said, ready to leave the room before Alec heard something.
Ila agreed, and we left the room to search out food. Giggles echoed in the laundry as we passed the room. I caught sight of Otta in the doorway and waved.
Kara was alone in the kitchen, frantically moving about.
“Where’s Bryn?”
“She hasn’t arrived yet.”
I hoped everything was all right.
“Can I help?” I said, moving to stir whatever bubbled over the fire.
“Please. I have biscuits in the oven, eggs boiling over here, stew boiling over there for the remaining meat pies, I need to roll out the dough...”
She looked ready to cry. Ila stepped forward.
“I’ll watch the biscuits and eggs and set the table for the children. You roll out your dough.”
Between the three of us, we settled the kitchen to its typical morning rhythm. In no time, we had the table set, the eggs in a bowl, a pitcher of fresh milk ready, and the biscuits from the oven. The children started to trail in; and when Egrit saw us, she shooed us to the table.
“Eat,” she said. “I wonder where Bryn is. I saw her walking down the lane earlier.”
I frowned, wondering what might have happened to her, and sat at the table. The children were excited for the feast. Otta and Retta spoke in quiet tones about the possibility of dancing with boys their ages.
“I promise there will be a few in attendance,” I said, thinking of the Kinlyn boys.
As soon as Ila and I finished, we started the trek back to our rooms. When we passed the dining room, I stopped short at the sound of both Bryn and Blye’s voices. I waved Ila to go without me and waited until she was out of hearing before I stepped into the room.
They both sat at the table, one on each side of where Alec usually sat.
“Is breakfast almost ready?” Blye asked.
They were waiting to be served breakfast. I closed my eyes and took a calming breath.
“Benella? Are you well enough to fetch Blye and me a tray?”
I opened my eyes, looked at them once more, then turned to leave, swallowing what I would have liked to say to Bryn.
When I spotted Mr. Crow in the entry, I hurried to his side.
“Bryn is sitting in the dining room while Kara is struggling to prepare the feast.”
“I will address the issue immediately, Miss Hovtel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Crow. If more help is needed in the kitchen, please let me know. Kara looked near tears this morning.”
I stalked to the ballroom, seething because my sisters were so arrogant and selfish. After closing my eyes and counting backward for several moments, I calmed enough to view the progress within the room. Tables lined the wall near the north parlor. Linens already covered the tables. A mountain of napkins and small plates waited at one end.
Chairs lined the wall near the fireplace and several more near the garden doors for the musicians. Someone had thoughtfully gathered fall’s last wildflower blooms and placed them in vases on the tables and around th
e base of each wooden candle stand. The simple decorations were beautiful.
Satisfied everything was ready, I went to my room to grab my brush and hair oil. With the items in hand, I returned to my old room. The tub waited, full of steaming water. Setting everything within reach, I stripped my clothes and slid into the water with a sigh. Less than a minute later, a door opened.
I turned my head and met Alec’s gaze. While he crossed the room, I cursed myself for not thinking to lock the door. Ila’s company had too successfully distracted me from my troubles with Alec.
“Stop there,” I said quietly.
“It has been more than two months since I watched you in the bath.” He stepped close and circled the tub.
I crossed my arms to shield what held his attention. It only encouraged him to squat beside the tub.
Keeping my gaze, he leaned close.
“You are most precious to behold as you are, without clothes and pink from the water.” Closer still he came, his intent clear when his gaze dipped to my mouth.
I lifted one hand and flicked water in his face.
Angrily, he leaned in, held the back of my neck, and pressed his lips to mine. I turned my head, unwilling to part with a single bit of affection for the impertinent man, and splashed him again. He quickly stood and stepped out of danger.
“Behave yourself tonight,” I said in a harsh whisper. “There will be plenty of cider for me to douse you.”
“Me?” He plucked at his wet shirt. “I will behave if you behave,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“If you cause issues, such as throwing anything at me, or disagreeing with me in front of the assembled, I will ruin the feast.”
With that, he left me. I frowned after him, trying to understand his threat. What did my behavior have to do with the feast? His was under scrutiny, not mine. And why threaten with the ruination of the feast when that would result in the return of the enchantment?
Still puzzling over it, I continued my bath.
* * * *
I didn’t attempt to put on the dress until I’d combed my hair dry, which seemed to take ages. The soft material danced upon my skin as I let it fall down my raised arms and over my head. The bodice had a double panel, so I went without my bindings. The lacings, once tightened, pushed my breasts up so they mounded ever so slightly over the top. Even through the stretched material, I could see the shape of each breast. The full underskirt provided a bit more modesty.
After stepping into my slippers, I left the room to show Ila. She opened the door after my first knock. Her dress was equally beautiful. Dyed a deep red-brown, the fine material was edged with cream lace at her sleeves. White threads created a swirling pattern along her hem.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. “Perfect for fall or winter.”
She smiled, stepped aside, and waved me in. “Your dress fits nicely. Come in. Let me braid your hair.”
I sat on a low stool while she stood behind me and patiently created braid after braid within my loose hair. Then she swept the mass up and started pulling out the braided sections to weave them into unbraided sections. When she finished, she handed me a mirror.
“Ila, you are very talented. I would offer to help braid your hair, but it would look nothing like this.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to wear mine in a simple braid. You should go now and check that everything is ready.”
Chapter 10
Mr. Crow stood ready at the door but waved me over when he saw me.
“You are most lovely, Miss Hovtel.”
I smiled at his sincerity.
“Thank you, Mr. Crow. You look very fine yourself.” He wore his usual dark jacket and pants but had taken care to polish his shoes until they reflected even the tiniest bit of light.
“I want to keep you apprised of your sister’s behavior. She has been warned. If she ignores her duties again, she will be dismissed. She also lost half a day’s wages.”
“A fair consequence for her actions,” I said. “I’m going to check on the kitchen and see when Kara thinks we should start bringing out the food. How much longer until you expect guests to arrive?”
“Within minutes, Miss. There are always those who want to be early.”
I hoped the candle maker was among them. While heading toward the kitchen, I checked the rooms I passed and found everything in order. After weeks of preparation, it seemed the estate was ready to hold its first feast in fifty years. I hurried my steps.
Kara stood alone in the kitchen. Trays of carefully stacked meat pies crowded the table.
“I sent Bryn to get ready with your other sister,” she said as soon as she saw me. “I’m just waiting for this last batch of pies to come from the oven.”
“It smells like heaven in here,” I said, leaning over the pies. Heat radiated from them. “How did you get so many done so quickly?”
“I under baked several batches yesterday, so I would only need to brown them today. I had crust ready in the cellar, too, for rolling this morning.”
Flour dusted her apron and face.
“I will watch the oven. Go ready yourself. Mr. Crow says he expects guests soon.”
“I have everything right in here,” she said, pointing at the servant’s room. “Call out if you need anything.”
After Kara ducked into the room, Ila entered with her hair plainly braided. I was glad for her company. Worry over Alec’s threat kept churning through my head, and I needed a distraction.
“I thought you might be here,” she said, studying the meat pies as I had.
“Though I have no love of cooking, I do so enjoy eating,” I said with a grin. “Kara is dressing while I watch the oven for her.”
Ila kept me company until Kara reappeared. She wore a plain, light grey dress very similar to the one she’d worn before. Her hair remained in its typical bun.
“Do you have any hair ribbons?” Ila asked.
“Yes. A black one and a grey one. Do you think I should use one of them?” She reached up to touch her hair.
“Yes, but not in your hair. Let me show you.” Ila stepped into the room with Kara and a moment later Kara reappeared with a black ribbon tied around her neck with the bow in the back.
“Lovely,” I said. “That such a simple thing can so enhance one’s appearance amazes me.”
“I agree,” said Kara. “Where did you learn this?”
Ila gave a small smile.
“I have many sisters who are well traveled.”
“You are lucky, then, to have them.”
“I agree,” Ila said.
“Are we ready to start carrying the food to the ballroom?” I asked.
“Yes,” Kara said. “The cider should probably go first. I imagine the guests who choose to walk will be thirsty.”
Ila stayed in the kitchen while I went off to find help. Tam and the other men returned with me and carried up more than a dozen small barrels before starting on the trays.
Outside the kitchen door, I heard the rumble of a wagon and went to see who had arrived. Edmund waved at me then set the brake and jumped down from his seat. Beside him, the candle maker held several thick pillars in his arms.
The men, having just returned from the ballroom, helped Edmund unload his pastries and took the pillars from the candle maker. Satisfaction coursed through me at seeing everything coming together so nicely.
“Where’s Bryn?” Edmund asked after the last of his trays disappeared. Kara and Ila were carefully arranging the last meat pies on a tray.
“Dressing with Blye.”
“Shouldn’t she be helping?”
“Kara said she could dress.”
“You’re dressed and helping.”
“I am.” I patted his arm. “How have things been going without the extra help in the bakery?”
“Fine. It’s quiet, though.” His expression said he missed her.
“If you’d like, perhaps your wife should stay home with you for the next few days. I expect i
t will be quiet enough here.”
“I would like that. I think she would, too.”
“Go find her and tell her. And enjoy yourself tonight, Edmund.”
He walked out, leaving Kara, Ila, and me in the kitchen.
“Are we ready?” I asked them.
“We are,” Ila said, coming to hook her arm through mine.
“Thank you for your help. I truly appreciate it.”
“It’s what a friend would do.”
We walked out of the kitchen and soon heard the buzz of voices from those guests who had already arrived. In the main entry, I gave a warm greeting to the butcher and introduced both Ila and Kara. His daughter found Retta, and the pair went off to the ballroom.
The general gaiety of the crowd had me smiling at everyone who stopped to say hello. I spotted Sara and her family in the crowd and followed Tennen’s narrowed gaze to Bryn, who stood beside Edmund. Edmund had his arm around Bryn’s waist, and she was looking up at him with complete focus.
“Miss Hovtel,” Alec said from behind me, “you look lovely.”
I turned to look over my shoulder and found him just inches from me. He wore a dark jacket and matching pants. Like Mr. Crow, his shoes were highly polished. His neckcloth was precisely tied and set against his neck. He was devastatingly handsome and looked every inch a lord. However, the heated gaze he raked over me stole the respectability given by his clothes. And it made my pulse flutter.
Tonight he must announce his intent to wed, I reminded myself. The sting of that realization helped ground me in the reality of our relationship. I would leave, and he would wed. Hopefully, in that order.
“Might I return the compliment, Lord Ruhall,” I said politely.
“Lord Ruhall,” a man I’d never met before said, claiming Alec’s attention.
I quickly moved away and spoke with several of the students my father used to teach.
Before long, the sounds of music drifted from the ballroom, and the crowd slowly migrated that way. As we moved, I caught sight of a woman in a pale pink dress tiered with ruffles. The volume of the skirt was so much that no one could walk too close to her. Though the dress was pretty—if one had an affection for ruffles—it was far too overstated for such a simple gathering.
