“Oh, Orlando, you mustn’t force this lovely flower to cook for you. Surely, she is your treasure and you will cherish and care for her.” Veserry put her hand on Mariana’s cheek. “She is too beautiful to soil her hands working.”
Gavril and Orlando exchanged glances, and Zilka clicked her tongue. “Come on, Ves. It’s time to get ready for your suitors. Won’t they be coming this afternoon?” She took hold of her sister’s arm and led her toward Veserry’s house.
“Suitors?” Mariana asked, looking at Orlando and Gavril, who shook his head.
“Ves hasn’t had a suitor in fifteen years, but she doesn’t always know where or how old she is. We took her to doctors in the capital city but they don’t know why she stopped living in reality.”
Orlando patted Gavril’s shoulder. “You and Zilka take good care of her.”
“She’s our blood. Well, I should go help.”
“And we need to get our errands run.”
Mariana watched Gavril go to his sister’s house. “That’s sad.”
“It is.” Orlando considered her through narrowed lids as though waiting for something. “Is that all you have to say about it?”
She met his eyes. “What did you want me to say?”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t the Queen have some kind of program for people like Veserry? I guess I thought you’d suggest she be taken away.”
Mariana scowled. “You must think me very cruel. She is clearly not a danger to anyone, and there are people to care for her here. Why would I want her to be taken away?”
Her husband put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “I’m sorry. Of course you’re not cruel. I guess I keep forgetting you’re not like your father.”
She wanted to rush to the King’s defense and say he’d not want Veserry put away, but at this point, she wasn’t sure what he would want. He hadn’t been too concerned about Elnys, even though there was no evidence against him.
Then she pushed these thoughts out of her mind. Today, she was with her new husband, starting her new life, and she was going to make sure it was a good one.
Chapter Nineteen
She had wanted to believe the rumors were false, but here was the evidence right in front of her.
Her stepson was married to the Progenna.
Honoria closed the curtain on the carriage door and sat back on the bench. Her companion had not watched the scene out the window, but now he tilted his head.
“Now you have seen it for yourself, what do you propose we do?”
Honoria took her kid gloves off and laid them carefully on the seat beside her. “He is not my son. He is not my responsibility.”
“You are a member of the Brotherhood and have a responsibility to the kingdom.”
She shook her head. Why did this man plague her so? “I am not the only member of the Brotherhood, and it seems to me you are in a better position to see to this.”
The smile never left the man’s face. “You are a smart woman, Honoria. You know why I can’t act directly. None of us can, but I trust you know of a way to advance our cause.”
With a sigh, she removed her veiled hat and pretended to study it. “How can I approach my husband with this? For years, I have avoided even mentioning his son. What excuse would I give for bringing him up now?”
When the old man across the carriage laughed, it was a dry sound, like the crackling of leaves when she walked through her beloved orchard in late autumn. Normally that was a sound she loved, but when it came from Kylan, she wanted to scream.
“The Sahdeer’s son just wed the Progenna. Certainly this would be a good time to mend any broken relationships.”
“You are a wily old man. Why does the King keep you in his employ?”
“My dear Honoria, you know why. No one can do what I do, and his Majesty fears the secrets I could reveal if I so chose.”
She shook her head. “And she is the salvation of Valborough? Untrained as she is? Ignorant, even.”
“The Progenna may be the best hope our country has of regaining the honor it once had.” His face grew serious, and something in her heart cracked.
For as long as Honoria had known Kylan, which was most of her life, she had only seen him this serious twice before today. Both times had involved the Progenna, and his words now sparked the love for Valborough that had once filled her entire being.
She sighed and put her hat back on her head. “I suppose it would be natural for Andreas to invite his son and daughter-in-law to join us in our box at the Eltano Cup races.”
“Sahdess,” Kylan said as he gathered his robe around him, “I think that is an excellent idea. Your husband is blessed by the Elements to have a wife as wise as you.” He leaned forward, took her hand, and kissed it. “Until we meet again.”
“Just go, you old goat.”
With another dry chuckle, the Abilities Trainer left her alone in the carriage.
The driver stepped to the door before it closed behind him.
“Shall we go home, Sahdess?”
Honoria shook her head. “The Sahdeer is staying with his brother. Please take me there.”
****
As Mariana and Orlando walked to the shop where he said they’d find the freshest dairy products, they approached a woman who sat on the ground between two buildings. She had a tattered blanket on her lap.
“Mama Betatlina, how are you this morning?” Orlando asked her, as he crouched down to her level.
“The weather’s getting colder,” the older woman said. “My hip’s been aching these last few days.”
“Where are you sleeping at night?”
“Mistress Emmarine has been letting me sleep in her pantry as long as I clean her kitchen after the restaurant closes.”
Orlando nodded, but his expression was still solemn. “And the cleaning isn’t too much for you with your hip?”
Betatlina dropped her eyes to the blanket. Orlando’s expression darkened.
“What if I have a talk with Mistress Emmarine?” he asked. “Maybe there’s something a little less strenuous you can do for her? Maybe I can find a place you can sleep without having to work so hard.”
“No, please, Orlando.” She clutched his sleeve. “I want to earn my keep. When things warm up again in the spring, I’ll be able to do more around the restaurant. If I can just save up enough money, I’ll be able to find a room somewhere.”
“Spring is a long time away, Mama,” Orlando said. “Let me at least ask around. Maybe someone has a room in their home you can stay in during the day. It would keep you out of the cold.”
A tear ran down the woman’s face. “I don’t want to trouble you. You do so much for all the people around here. If it weren’t for you—”
“Now, Mama, you must be hungry. Why don’t you come with Mariana and me? I was just going to show her the cheese shop.”
The older woman shook her head. “I can’t go in there. I don’t have any money. Donya and her children just went in. I don’t want—”
Again, Orlando cut her off. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Mama. I’ll take care of everything.”
Without waiting for her to respond, Orlando helped the older woman to her feet. The process took several minutes as Betatlina moved quite slowly with a lot of groans and stops to catch her breath.
Mariana wondered how long she’d been out on the street with no one to care for her. Where was her family? Surely, there was someone who could take her into their home. What about the Queen’s programs that help the poor?
“Is this your bride?” Betatlina asked, smiling even as she gasped trying to catch her breath. “I’d heard you married the King’s daughter.”
“Indeed.” Orlando took Mariana’s hand. “Mariana, this is Betatlina. She was my father’s friend.”
“Orlando is exaggerating. I was his father’s housekeeper.”
Mariana stared at her husband in surprise. He’d grown up with a housekeeper? Neither he nor Adindira gave any indication they’d come from a background
of money.
“My father thought of you as more than just a housekeeper,” Orlando said. “He treated you like family.”
The older woman didn’t say anything for a few moments. She leaned against him, breathing deeply.
“That was because he loved your mother. You know that, don’t you?”
Orlando patted Betatlina’s hand. “Let’s not talk about the past. It’s a beautiful day, and I have to show off my new bride.”
“Of course, son. Of course.”
The three of them walked slowly down the street toward the storefront Orlando indicated.
They arrived at the cheese shop, but Mariana could see as soon as she walked in that it sold more than just cheese. The aroma of something sweet teased her nostrils, and her mouth began to water.
“What is that?” she asked, and Orlando chuckled.
“Gindira’s been baking today. Smells like her famous apple cranberry turnovers.”
They walked further into the store, and Mariana saw tables and chairs, some of them occupied. Orlando led Betatlina to a nearby seat and helped her into it.
“Would you like something to eat?” he asked Mariana when he returned to her. She surveyed the room.
All the people sitting at the tables were watching them, and while she felt a little self-conscious, her empty stomach growled as the smell of the baked cranberries and apples hit her again.
“You didn’t get any breakfast,” Orlando said, smiling. “Sit here with Mama. I’ll go get Gindira. She’ll be eager to meet you.”
Mariana sat and almost immediately, a woman in a dark blue tunic that reached to her knees and covered an ankle-length skirt in yellowish brown hurried over to stand next to the table.
“You’re Orlando’s wife, aren’t you?” the woman asked.
“Donya,” Betatlina said. “How are you?”
Never taking her eyes off Mariana, Donya ignored the older woman. The rude behavior made Mariana hope Orlando would return, but he’d left her alone, disappearing behind a set of double doors.
“I’m Proge…Mariana.”
The woman nodded. She had dull blonde hair cut to just below her ears and light brown, almost amber, eyes. “I’m Donya. I’m married to Odel, one of Orlando’s men. Are you really the King’s daughter?”
Mariana blinked. “One of Orlando’s men? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he had workers at the farm.”
Betatlina touched Donya’s arm. “Won’t you at least say hello to me?”
Donya pulled away and opened her mouth to say something, but she wasn’t looking at Mama. Adindira approached the table. Mariana was grateful to see a friendly face.
“Donya, I see you’ve met my new sister,” Adindira said, putting her hand on Mariana’s shoulder. “Good morning, Mariana. I want to apologize for my brother’s behavior this morning. I hope you set him straight.”
Mariana was grateful to her sister-in-law for the distraction. “Thank you. I don’t think he’ll do that again.”
Donya glanced back and forth between the two women, a scheming glint in her eyes. “What did Orlando do? Anything to do with the extra guards who have been patrolling the village?”
Extra guards? Mariana hadn’t noticed anything different, but then she hadn’t lived here long. Why would there be more guards? If her father wanted to see how real her marriage was, surely he wouldn’t send guards? Wouldn’t he talk to her neighbors?
“Donya, my dear.” Adindira touched the other woman’s shoulder. “I think you should be more concerned about why your mother is working for Emmarine and sleeping in her back room than about how my brother and his wife are adjusting to married life. I’m sure there must be space in your house for a small cot for Betatlina.”
Donya sniffed and stared down her nose at Adindira. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. My mother has made it clear to me she can take care of herself.”
She hurried back to her table where one of the children, a little red-haired boy, had apparently torn a muffin into dozens of chunks, which he was currently tossing into the air and giggling.
“I’m sorry about that, Betatlina,” Adindira said, sitting. “I know that had to hurt.”
“What’s going on?” Mariana asked. “Surely, she can’t be your daughter. Why would she treat you like that?”
Adindira and Betatlina hugged, and the older woman wiped a tear from her cheek with the hem of her sleeve. “My daughter and I don’t see eye to eye on some…of the things the King has done in the last few years.”
Mariana swallowed and nodded. She’d have to get used to people expressing negative opinions about her father. “That doesn’t seem to be enough to force you to live on the street.”
Betatlina shook her head. “Oh, that’s not Donya’s fault. I had my own home up until last year, when I got sick and was unable to take care of my garden and the few animals I kept for milk and eggs. Orlando and his…friends helped me out, but when the property taxes came due, I didn’t have the money to pay them. The…” She stopped talking, stared at Mariana with wide eyes, and bit her lip.
“Don’t worry about it, Mama,” Adindira said. “Mariana is one of us now.” She turned to the Progenna.
“The King’s Guard threw her out of her house when she couldn’t pay her taxes. Donya and her husband said they didn’t have room for her to stay with them.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I don’t want to cause my daughter any trouble,” Betatlina said. “So I sleep in Mistress Emmarine’s pantry.”
Adindira stood up. “Why don’t you come to my house with me, Mama? I am going to bake some bread this afternoon. I could certainly use your advice. Orlando tells me you used to bake the best bread he’s ever tasted.”
Betatlina thanked her and the two of them left the store while Mariana watched.
It wasn’t until they were gone she began to wonder why, if Betatlina worked for Orlando’s father, Adindira hadn’t tasted the older woman’s bread before.
****
Orlando came back in the dining room just in time to see his sister leave.
“Adindira was here?” He sat down. “Where’s Betatlina?”
“She went with Adindira to her house. I guess they’re going to bake bread.” Mariana tilted her head. “If Betatlina was your father’s housekeeper, why hasn’t your sister tasted her bread before?”
“What?” Orlando asked. “What are you talking about?”
Before Mariana could explain, the proprietor of the little restaurant came out of the kitchen. Delicious smells followed her. She gave Mariana a nod and set two plates on the table. Each held one of the warm turnovers and a handful of small cookies.
“I thought you might want to try something I’m experimenting with,” she said. “You must be Mariana. I’m Gindira, and I’m so pleased to meet you. It’s about time Orlando met a nice girl and settled down.”
His face grew red, and he cleared his throat. “Experimenting, Gin?”
She nodded. “I have been thinking about putting dried cranberries in my raisin cookies for the autumn festival. They aren’t out in the display case. I’m not sure they’re good enough yet. Try one.”
Mariana picked up one of the cookies, which were about the size of a crown silver piece, and took a small bite.
The cook at the palace sometimes made cookies for the princesses when they were small, but the queen considered them more a commoner kind of food and forbade them at official functions.
However, Mariana was sure if her mother had ever tasted anything like this, she’d change her mind.
“These are amazing,” she exclaimed. “I think these could be served at the palace.”
Gindira and Orlando exchanged glances. “Thank you. I’m glad you like them. I should get back to the kitchen. Enjoy the turnovers.”
Orlando popped a full cookie in his mouth. “They are good,” he said. “She is practically a magician at baking.”
“Does she have a Sensitivity?” Mariana didn
’t know which one it could be. “Flora, maybe, or Water?”
He rolled his eyes. “People here don’t have magic, Mariana. You know that. She just understands how some things go together and how to make them delicious. I don’t know how she does it, but as you can see she’s quite successful at it.”
“Did I say something wrong when I mentioned the palace? She didn’t seem to take that as a compliment.”
“I’m sure you meant it as one, but people here don’t live their lives based on what the royalty think about things. Your family and most of the other nobles only come to this province in the autumn. It can be quite the disruption to lives here.”
“A disruption?” She shook her head. “No. We bring in gold and silver. We have parties and balls and buy gowns and things. Surely, that’s good for the people here.”
He nodded once. “That part is, but what about when the king commands half of my pigs have to be confiscated for one of his feasts? That doesn’t help me much.”
“You must be paid for them. We wouldn’t just take them.”
“Paid? You think I’m paid. If I’m very lucky, the king’s stewards might give me a tenth of what I could get if I sold them on the open market. If I’m not, instead I’ll get a lecture about how I’m serving the king, and I should be grateful for the opportunity.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Believe what you will, Mariana. How about if I get Gindira to wrap this up, and we’ll take it with us. We should get on with our errands for the day.”
Orlando led Mariana out of the restaurant and pointed toward a building that was set apart from others in the village.
It was nearly three times as big as his house and had a steeply pointed roof. On the top of the roof stood a large iron weathervane in the shape of a soldier pointing a sword, presumably at an enemy.
“I need to speak to Emmarine about Betatlina. Why don’t you head home with the roast?”
“I can’t go with you?”
He took a deep breath and considered his next words carefully. Emmarine was an ardent supporter of the King and his policies. She openly mocked and berated the rebels, calling them traitors and accusing them of keeping the villagers in chains by forcing the King to punish all of Talla. Consequently, she and Orlando rarely were in the same room at the same time, and even more rarely spoke to one another.
Pigsty Princess Page 20
