“Uh-huh. And Theresa’s right. They’re getting married next Sunday. They’re going to Tolliver’s house to sign the register Sunday afternoon. Darrell’s going to ask Joan to make a cake for them to cut after dinner, here in the dining room. He said the people who would want to be there eat at the castle, so they will be.”
Kevin frowned. “What about Debra and Korman? They don’t eat here. And Thanzer and Yani? And the grandmothers? They’ll be furious if they miss this.” Kevin shook his head. “No, they’ll have to have a party of some kind. I don’t care if it’s here, at Fenway’s, or at his house. But there’s got to be more than a simple announcement.”
“But he doesn’t want that.”
“Maybe not, but he’s going to have to have it. How about a floating reception at his house? Like an open house?”
“Do they have those here?”
“How should I know?”
Chris sighed. “Let me see what I can find out before you say anything to Darrell.”
“Me? I’m not going to say anything. If you don’t want to do it, get Cryslyn to handle it.”
“I’ll talk to her after lunch.”
~~~~
When Isak collected the late mail that afternoon, there were two letters from Shadron, one for Myron and the other for him. Halfway back to the office, Isak stopped and opened his. A slow smile spread across his face. Shadron had formally invited him to apprentice at his farm beginning in January. There wasn’t anything new in the letter, they’d already talked about it, but this made it official.
Chris was on his way to the office when he spotted Isak headed that way, grinning from ear to ear. As Chris opened the door for him, he asked, “What’s with the grin?”
When Kevin heard Chris’s voice, he got up and stepped out of his office,
Isak said, “Nothing,” still grinning.
Kevin frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I got a letter from Shadron today. He asked if I wanted to be his apprentice. It’s official now.”
After they congratulated him, Kevin asked, “Starting at the beginning of January?”
Isak nodded. “If that’s all right with you.”
“It’s fine. We’ll take you up there that weekend.”
“He sent you a message, too.” Isak held Kevin’s out to him.
“Thanks.” Kevin headed for his office with Chris following.
Kevin sat down and opened the letter. “Gildan left Shadron’s yesterday.”
“Wonder where he’s headed now?”
“I don’t know, but I think we need to remind Fenway what Gildan looks like.”
“Why would he come here?”
“I have no idea, but we’re the only ones left. He stayed about a month everywhere else. He was only here overnight.”
Chris nodded. “I’ll go down tomorrow and let Fenway and Ainsley know to be on the lookout.”
Kevin leaned back in his chair. “So? What did Cryslyn say?”
Chris grinned. “She’s going to talk to Serra tomorrow morning. One of us will have to go get Serra’s relatives, but we’re not supposed to know about that until someone asks us.”
Kevin nodded. “Works for me.”
~~~~
Monday morning when Serra joined Cryslyn in her office, Cryslyn said, “We need to talk.”
Serra shut the office door and sat down. “What?”
“I hear you’re getting married Sunday.”
A smile spread across Serra’s face and a blush crept up her cheeks. “I was going to tell you this morning. We didn’t decide until Saturday night.”
“Before I say anything else, let me say how happy I am for you and Darrell. I can’t think of a better match for either one of you.”
“Thank you.”
“But the wedding you’re planning won’t work.”
Serra’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”
“I understand that you want to keep this simple, that you don’t want any fuss, but it won’t work.”
“Why not? It’s not like we’re part of the House of Nordin.”
Cryslyn laughed. “Thank goodness. There’s no way we could pull off a wedding for one of them in a week, but your uncle’s a district minister. There would be repercussions if Myron let you get married without them.”
Serra started to say something, stopped, and thought about what Cryslyn had said. “You’re right. But I still want to do this as quietly as possible.”
“Well, I’ve had a little time to think about it, and I may have a solution.”
“What?”
“There are three groups you’ll have to include in some way: the guards and soldiers who’ve worked with Darrell, the housekeeping staff who have worked with you, and your families. The guards and soldiers could celebrate with Darrell at Fenway’s Saturday night while the housekeeping staff celebrates with you up here. Then, on Sunday, instead of signing the register at Tolliver’s, you could have him bring it to Darrell’s house and sign it in front of Debra’s family, your grandparents, Thanzer, and Yani, and Darrell’s family. Then, after you sign the register, you could have refreshments, maybe a cake, and be done with it.” Cryslyn leaned back in her chair.
“Darrell doesn’t have any family.”
“What about the people he came into town with?”
Serra shook her head. “They’re not his family.”
“Ask him about it. See what he says,” Cryslyn said. “So what do you think about the plan?”
“It’s a little more than we wanted, but it’s not as bad as it could be.” Then she nodded. “We could do that.”
“Good. I’ll talk to Cpt. Kort and get him to make the arrangements at Fenway’s. I’ll take care of the party up here, and the two of you can take care of inviting your families.”
Serra nodded. “I’ll need to get a letter sent off right away.”
Cryslyn shook her head. “You can’t tell them something like this in a letter. Do they even know you and Darrell are betrothed?”
“They know we’ve been seeing each other, but I haven’t said anything about getting married.”
“Then you definitely need to tell them in person. In fact, it would be a good idea if both of you went up there and told them together.”
Serra shut her eyes for a moment. “I’m going to love breaking all this to Darrell, but you’re right. And we need to go this evening, before they hear about it from someone else.”
“Who would tell them?”
“Mother, for one. But I need to tell her first. She’ll kill me if she finds out anyone knew about this before she did.”
“Then you’d better get a move on,” Cryslyn said. “After all, I didn’t hear about it from you.”
“Right. Do you mind if I take the morning off?” Then she sighed. “I’ll need to talk to Darrell at lunch if we’re going to Ridgeville this evening, and then see if Myron can take us.”
Cryslyn laughed. “You’ll need the whole day.” As Serra got up, she added, “After you talk to Darrell, let me know if he’s all right with this. If he is, I’ll get started on the plans.”
“I will, and thank you.”
~~~~
By the time Serra met Darrell for lunch, she’d told Debra about the wedding and talked to Chris to make sure someone could take them to Ridgeville that evening. Darrell was already seated when Serra made it to the dining room.
“Hi,” Darrell said as she sat down. “Busy morning?”
“Yes, but not in the way you mean,” Serra answered. “We need to talk.” Then she told Darrell about her conversations with Cryslyn and Debra.
When she finished, Darrell chuckled and shook his head. “I knew we’d never get away with it, but it was nice while it lasted.”
“You’re not mad?”
Darrell reached across the table and took her hand. “As long as you’re my wife by the time the sun goes down Sunday, I don’t care how it happens. At least this way everyone will be happy and you and I won’t have to do anything.�
��
“How can you say that? All this stuff has to be planned.”
“But not by us. Cryslyn said she’d take care of the party with the housekeeping staff, and Kort will handle the arrangements at Fenway’s. As far as Sunday’s concerned, our mothers will want to plan that one. All we’ll have to do is show up.”
Serra shook her head. “I can’t let Mother do it all by herself.”
“She won’t have to. Joan’ll help her. In fact, if Debra would agree to it, Joan would be fine doing the whole thing by herself.”
“Joan? Why would she do it?”
“Because she’s sort of like my mother.” At Serra’s puzzled look, Darrell explained. “You know I arrived with Kevin.” Serra nodded, so Darrell continued. “In our little group, Karl and Joan were like the parents, Steve was like a favorite uncle, and Kevin, Chris, Theresa and I were like brothers and a sister.”
“And you think she’ll want to help plan it?”
“I know she will, and if we’re lucky, she’ll take care of the food as well as the cake.”
“I don’t know…”
“I’ll go by her office after lunch and tell her about it. What do you want to bet she’ll say she’ll get with Debra and the two of them will take care of Sunday?”
Serra shook her head. “I feel like we’re imposing on her.”
“Not if she volunteers,” Darrell insisted. “Besides, if we don’t let her, she’ll be hurt. Do you really want to hurt her feelings? Your future mother-in-law?”
Serra laughed. “Fine. You talk to her and let me know what she says. And by the way, Mother said she’d talk to Tolliver about bringing the register to the house.”
“Good. One less thing to worry about.”
“According to you, we’re not going to have to worry about any of it.”
“And that’s the way I want it.”
~~~~
Darrell had called it as far as Joan was concerned. She immediately offered to get with Debra and plan the whole thing, including the food and wedding cake. Meanwhile, Cryslyn had talked to Kort and he’d agreed to take care of the arrangements with Fenway. Then Cryslyn talked to Miranda, and between the two of them, the party for Serra was taken care of.
Serra’s family in Ridgeville was thrilled Serra was getting married and the two grandmothers were eager to get to Milhaven to help with the planning. Serra assured them there wasn’t a lot of planning involved, but someone would be there to pick them up Friday morning.
By the time Darrell walked Serra to her room that evening, everything was settled and all of the details were in the hands of other people. As he told her good night, he said, “See? All we have to do is show up.”
“I still can’t believe how this worked out. It was going to be so quick and easy. Now…” She shrugged and shook her head.
“Whatever it is, it’s not our problem. We’ll show up, sign our names, and when everyone leaves, we’ll begin our life together, and that’s the only thing that matters, you and me, together.”
~~~~
During the week, plans were made, food was cooked, cakes were baked, but none of it involved Serra and Darrell. They went about their week as usual, working, eating meals together, and walking in the evening.
When the grandmothers arrived Friday, Cryslyn gave them things to do to keep them busy and out of Serra’s hair. Tonnie came when they did, but she spent the weekend with Debra and Korman.
Thanzer, Yani, and Arden joined them Saturday afternoon, in time to get in on the parties. Then that evening, Darrell enjoyed the good natured ribbing by the guards and soldiers down at Fenway’s while Serra drank tea and opened gifts up at the castle.
Sunday mornings were quiet around the castle, and Darrell and Serra usually had a leisurely breakfast in the dining hall and then spent the day together. But on that Sunday, everyone seemed determined to keep them apart. Shortly after Darrell got up, Joan sent him off with Karl and Steve, while Debra insisted that Serra join her in Milhaven.
By mid-afternoon, everyone began gathering at Darrell’s house. Joan had refreshments set up in the kitchen with a three-tier wedding cake as the centerpiece. Karl had made some ice cream to go with the cake and Chris had picked up a barrel of scog. Kevin left around three to pick up Theresa, and once they were all there, Tolliver presented the register for Darrell and Serra to sign. No one spoke while the two of them signed, but as soon as Tolliver picked up the register and closed it, the whole place erupted in cheers and congratulations and the party was in full swing.
Two hours later, as things began to wind down, Serra leaned back against Darrell as she watched their families mingle. Darrell stroked her arm. “We did it. We’re married.”
Serra laughed. “Before the sun goes down.”
Darrell gave her a little hug. “And all we had to do was sign our names.”
~~~~
The next Friday was New Year’s Eve, Isak’s last day at the castle. The pages, Cameryn, and Elin threw a party for him that afternoon. Laryn and most of the staff dropped by to tell him goodbye and wish him luck. He was the last of Badec’s pages to leave the office, so there were tears mixed in with the smiles.
When Kevin got back from taking him to Shadron’s, the office had been cleaned up and the pages were gone. Chris and Nikki were on the couch waiting for him.
Kevin sat down in one of the chairs at the conference table. “Guess that’s that. They’re all taken care of now.”
“The pages?”
Kevin nodded.
“No, Elin’s still here.”
“But not as a page. She’s Joan’s executive assistant at this point. And if I’m not mistaken, Joan’s planning to keep her and make that a permanent position.” Kevin thought for a moment. “How are the new ones working out?”
Chris shrugged. “Hard to say. They’re new. But I think they’ll be okay. Jenni’s quick, but quiet. Anya’s more outgoing now that she’s able to be herself, but she’s not as focused as Jenni. Still a little early to say on Trystan, but I like what I’ve seen so far. He’s between the two girls in personality, but as far as focus, he reminds me of Ariel.”
“We’ve had a lot of staff changes since we got here.” Kevin shook his head. “Sometimes it seems like as soon as I get used to who’s who, the roster changes.”
Chris laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
Kevin stood up and stretched. “Let’s hope we don’t lose anyone else anytime soon. I’ve had enough goodbyes for a while.”
Chapter 59
Chills of Winter
The first week of the new year was quiet around the castle. By the end of the week, Kevin began to wonder if Marcus had stayed so busy because he was a sorcerer or because he was an excellent carpenter.
Kevin’s first job as Sorcerer of Milhaven came on Wednesday of the second week by way of Sister Agnes. She dropped by his office on her way back to the chapel after treating one of the local farmers for a broken leg.
“How did he break his leg?” Kevin asked.
“He fell off his ladder while he was carrying wood up to repair his barn roof.”
“Why didn’t he ask me to do it?”
“I asked him about that. He said he didn’t want to bother you, that he didn’t mind asking Marcus, but you’re the Master Sorcerer and have better things to do than worry about his roof.”
“We’ll get his roof fixed tomorrow morning.”
Sister Agnes frowned. “Do you know how to fix a roof?”
Kevin shook his head. “But I know people who do, and I’ll take a couple of them with me.”
“Good.” Sister Agnes stood up to leave. “And make sure no one else falls. I don’t want any more broken legs around here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kevin walked her to the door. “Do we need to do anything else? Send some food out or anything?”
“I’ve already taken care of that. You just tend to his roof.”
Thursday morning, Kevin took Rigel and a couple of the soldiers out to the fa
rm, and by lunchtime, they’d repaired the roof and chopped and stacked a week’s worth of firewood. Before they left, Kevin asked the man’s wife to send word to his office if she needed anything else. Then, after they got back to the castle, Kevin asked Rigel to make sure someone checked on them a couple of times a week until the farmer was back on his feet.
His next job came Monday morning by way of one of his pages. Jenni had spent her weekend off at home and while she was there, her father and brother talked about moving some boulders out of one of the fields so they could plow it in the spring.
During a lull, Jenni told Petri about it and asked if she could leave a little early that afternoon. “I want to run home and check on them. I’m afraid someone will get hurt.”
“Why don’t you ask Myron to take care of those boulders? That way no one would get hurt.”
Jenni shook her head. “He’s the Master Sorcerer. He doesn’t have time to do stuff like that.”
Petri turned to Chris. “Does Myron have time to help Jenni’s father move a couple of boulders?”
Chris shrugged. “Probably. Go ask him.”
Petri looked at Jenni and tilted his head towards Kevin’s door.
Jenni’s cheeks flushed as she shook her head. “I couldn’t.”
“I can.” Chris got up and headed for Kevin’s office. “Come on, Jenni.”
After he opened the door, Chris asked, “Have you got time to run out to Wanda’s farm and help Jenni’s father with some boulders?”
“When?”
“Now.”
“Sure, but I don’t think I’ve ever met your father, Jenni. You’ll need to go with me and introduce us.”
While Kevin was at the farm, not only did he remove the boulders, he took care of a couple of big tree stumps, too.
Tolliver brought him his next job. He showed up at the castle early Wednesday morning and told Kevin the man who delivered most of the goods for the store said he was not making any more deliveries until someone fixed the bridge on the road from Canterville. “Harden said the bridge was so rickety when he came across it yesterday he was afraid it was going to collapse and dump him and his wagon in the river. We need to get it fixed now, while the weather’s good. Can you take care of it or do I need to contact Dylan in Fall Creek?”
The Rambling Spy Page 60
