"I look forward to it, Morlekai." Her voice was little more than a breathy whisper, and when Morlekai quickly bent down to favor her with a final farewell kiss, she did nothing to stop him. She welcomed his fierce hungry lips, his warm sensual tongue that sought an entrance she gave willingly, arms instinctively wrapping about his strong masculine frame even as he crushed her close in a fierce embrace, before abruptly breaking their passionate kiss with a ragged gasp as her brother distinctly cleared his throat, whispering about Agda making her way to the door.
With that same confident smile Morlekai gave her a graceful bow, presenting her with a rose she knew not from where he had obtained, leaving her breathless, heart fluttering, as he expertly straddled his horse, armaments safely stored in leather packs, making off at a brisk trot for destinations no doubt exotic and beautiful, and how she wished she could follow him, even then.
“My you do have a thing for the wild ones, don’t you, Jess?” Geoffrey commented dryly, and Jess was about to make a sarcastic retort about someone who had completely fallen head over heels for a certain serving maid who might even now be carrying his child, a fact the poor girl was trying desperately to keep hidden, but Jess just managed to keep her mouth shut, recalling their mother’s approach.
“I believe you have your own affairs to put in order, dear brother,” she whispered curtly to his puzzled expression as she made her way back to her rooms, unable to believe that he was truly so dense as to not understand what his girl's morning tears and haunted expression might be about, her connection to the living manor having made it all too clear to her what Geoff should have sensed at least as well as she. She had tried to approach Rena several times, but the poor girl would only offer her an anxious smile before immediately darting off.
Rena was obviously terrified of being cast out, once she could no longer hide her body's changes. Her brother was a fool not to have already figured it out.
Jess sighed, not knowing how she could protect either Rena or her brother, once she was away at finishing school, their mother having made it painfully clear that she would tolerate no seductions of staff members by either of them. Apple had smirked in bemusement the whole duration of the lecture, free of her mother's glare that time.
Jess sighed, missing Twilight more than ever, great problem solver that he was. If nothing else, he was company to toss around ideas with, ideas and speculations few others would take seriously, let alone see the merit of. No matter, this was one issue she would tackle on her own. With a look of firm resolve after slipping discrete items about the many pockets sewn in what was now one of her favorite gowns, Jess made her way back down the hallway, determined to do what must be done.
It still took a fair amount of walking, and a discrete word with the cook before she was able to track down an anxious looking Rena, presently carrying a pitcher of water. She paled suddenly upon seeing Jess and would have dropped the pitcher, had Jess not been quick to catch it.
“My lady, I do apologize. Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it.” Jess smiled gently. “Rena? We have to talk.”
If she had seemed a bit discomfited before, the delicate serving maid now looked on the verge of panic, her heart shaped face taking on a ghastly pallor, and Jess was suddenly afraid the poor thing was on the verge of collapse. “My lady, I don’t know what you are talking about. Now if you will excuse me, I really must see to my tasks.”
Jess gazed into Rena’s frightened eyes. Delicate and beautiful just like the rest of her, here was a girl Jess could happily wake up beside every day. Really, her brother was a fool not to know. “It's okay, Rena. I know. I want to help you, if I can.”
At that Rena suddenly burst into tears, her perfect porcelain features now scrunched up and beet red. She fell into Jess’s gathering arms and sobbed. “Oh my lady, I don’t know what to do! This wasn’t supposed to happen, and when your mother finds out, I’ll, I’ll be cast out to fend for myself like a destitute beggar! Me and my unborn child both!”
Jess gently shushed her, discretely making sure their nook was private, the exquisitely carved wood paneling assuring her, in its own way, that the area was indeed bare of people. “There, there, Rena, it’s going to be okay,” Jess soothed. “First things first. How long has it been?”
Gently, Rena’s sobs eased, and suddenly she remembered her station, backing hurriedly away as if afraid of offending Jess, for daring to be so familiar with her. She bowed her head. “About three months, I think, my lady.” She stood before Jess, head bowed deferentially, sniffling and wiping away her tears.
Jess nodded. “All right. Not so long as all that. We have time. Plenty of time. Next question. And I know it’s a tough one. Have you talked to Geoffrey about it?”
Rena shook her head. “No, my lady. I don’t have the heart to. I am just… afraid. So afraid of what his reaction will be.” She sighed. “We have our pillow talk, I let him know how precious he is to me. I even told him that, that I’m in love with him.” Her eyes filled with tears once more. “He just, he just laughs and holds me and tells me what a wonderful girl I am,” she sniffled. “Oh my lady, I can only imagine what his response would be if I told him I was carrying his child. I just know he would castigate me, blame me, throw me out, he and his mother would both hate me.”
Her body shook with panicked sobs, and Jess held her close, comforting her.
“It's going to be all right, Rena, you’ll see.” Jess favored her with a gentle smile. “Of course we are going to talk some sense into Geoff. But let me ask, do you have family nearby?”
Rena took a deep breath, collecting herself. “Yes, my lady. My aunt and cousins live less than a day’s horse ride away. She is an herbalist, much like yourself, my lady.” She braved a trembling smile. “In truth, my aunt was hoping I would take to the art like she did, but her children are far more gifted than I.” She sighed. “I know how to make some basic tinctures, but for this... problem…” She sobbed. “I just don’t have the heart! No matter where she came from, no matter the disgraceful circumstances of her conception, she is still my baby! I could never hurt her. Never.” These last words were said with a fierce resilience that inspired a hug from Jess.
“It will be all right,” Jess whispered into the girl's ear, even as Rena cried in her arms. Jess stepped away, smiling gently into Rena’s eyes, hoping that their conversation was providing a measure of relief. She could tell the poor girl was overwhelmed, with no one to talk to or take comfort from.
“I know it’s a hard question to ask, Rena, but if circumstances proved... less than ideal here, could you take shelter with your aunt once more?”
The very thought made the poor girl burst into fresh tears. "Oh, my lady, I could, but the shame! I can only imagine what she'd think, and I fear my parents would find out as soon as the next letter carrier leaves town." She sighed, crestfallen. "I had so hoped to prove myself here, to establish winning references and maybe, one day, to run a household as the headmistress. Now, though, oh gods. What am I to do?"
“First things first. We do what needs to be done in any difficult situation. We consider our options and we plan accordingly.” Jess raised her fingers. “One, without disclosing specifics, we assure that your aunt’s house is an option. Two, we talk to my thickheaded brother. Three, I’m letting you know that our family won’t abandon you.” She gave Rena a gentle hug. “I seriously doubt my mother would truly cast you off to make your way without resources or contacts in this big cruel world, especially carrying her grandchild. No, Rena. The warning was mostly for Geoff and me. She knows how we can be."
Jess gave a sheepish smile. “And no matter what else happens, I’m not going to see my niece or nephew living in dire straits.”
With that, Jess solemnly handed Rena a small silken purse, gently placing it in a wide-eyed Rena's hands. "Consider this a gift from your little one's aunt. Keep it close, Rena. Tell no one that you have it. Should disaster befall and all plans be cast awry, you can go quite far on th
is, certainly share a home with other ladies who look after one another's children, and apprentice yourself to most any craft, or start a small shop of your own, perhaps."
“My lady, I don’t know what to say!” Rena was speechless, gazing at the small purse with awe. “My lady, how much did you give me?”
“Shh. It doesn’t matter. Don’t look at it now. Just save it. And if you are smart, save half of it in a second hiding place that you know is secure or, better yet, bring me a wooden lockbox, and I shall assure it opens only to my touch or yours. And if anyone finds out about it, or questions your possession of it, tell them it was my gift to you. And if they take umbrage, they may challenge me upon the field of battle, and I shall be quite thrilled to beat my displeasure for the difficulties they caused you all about their body!”
Jess’s grin turned savage for but a moment, Rena gasping and stepping back, before Jess closed her eyes and firmly put that part of herself aside. “But no matter, dear Rena. Just keep that safe, and no matter what happens, you shall have means to care for your child.”
Gazing at Jess with a look of awe and gratitude such that it made Jess feel suddenly self-conscious, Rena nodded solemnly before tucking away the silken purse filled with gold.
Some aspects of accounting and economics Jess could appreciate well enough, she thought dryly. If five gold eagles would buy all the arms and armaments needed to fully equip a knight or purchase acreage sufficient for a good sized farm, then ten gold should take care of Rena quite well for quite some time. She and the baby should be very well off, even if Rena did nothing with it, save find an honest merchant and make use of the Royal Bank.
“Do you know about the Royal Bank, Rena?” Jess queried, remembering well her father's lessons regarding that hallowed institution which had not defaulted upon depositors for over a century, though the Crown did have the right to borrow against half the deposits for a full year before having to pay it out again. Thus Erovering’s citizens had access to a safe and extremely secure method of storing their coin, as well as allowing the Crown a considerable source of coinage to borrow against at need. Of course one could also entrust coin directly to the Crown for a period of ten, twenty, or a hundred years, receiving yearly interest of between one and two percent, the coinage returned to the depositor or heirs when the duration ended. Yet Jess thought the Royal Bank was the better choice for Rena at this point.
“Yes, my lady,” Rena nodded. “My father made considerable use of it in his business. I recall that from childhood. My brothers and I had accompanied him more than once, and I believe I know where the local chapter is.”
Jess nodded. "Excellent. Well then, all that's left is for us to have a much-needed conversation with my dear brother.”
Rena quailed, shaking her head fiercely. “Please, my lady, I beg of you. Let me handle this in my own way, in my own time, gently.” She gave Jess a trembling smile. “Please, my lady. I am ever so grateful for the kindness you have shown me, in both word and deed, but this is something I must handle in my own way. I beg of you, my lady, please understand.”
Gazing into Rena’s tear stained eyes, moved by her plea, Jess felt her righteous anger ebb and sighed, knowing in her heart that Rena was right. “Very well, dear Rena. But this is something you must do, and the sooner the better. And if you have need of anything, please let me know.
Rena curtsied as low as she could before giving Jess a grateful hug. “Thank you so much, my lady. Your warm heart soothes my own. I promise I shall speak to him very soon, and I thank you again for caring about the fate of one such as I!”
Jess quirked a smile. “Come now, dear Rena. I'm sure you heard that visiting bard waxing poetic about all my supposed heroic feats, just the other day? How could anyone burdened with that honor not come to the aid of a beautiful damsel in distress?” Jess laughed playfully at Rena’s bemused expression, bowing down to gracefully kiss the girl's hand. “I am here whenever you need me, just say the word,” Jess assured a gently smiling Rena before making her exit.
The tumultuous feelings coursing through Jess necessitated relief of some sort, and since neither the enticing Morlekai nor her shieldbrother Malek were there for her to truly unleash herself in a no holds barred sparring match against, the only other alternative was the soothing comfort of her garden.
For a time Jess lost herself, forgetting all her cares and worries, even about her ambivalence regarding finishing school, for all that she was relieved that her mother had reverted back to her far gentler teaching techniques; assuring, as always, that there was a fresh supply of crepes and perfectly poached fish awaiting her and her familiar's perusal every morning before lessons.
The sharp crisp scents of peppermint and thyme brought a smile to Jess’s face as she gathered her small basket of herbs, both medicinal and culinary, picked at the peak of their freshness and potency. It had been a good hour spent caring for her plants; sensing their needs, soothing their hungers with carefully turned soil and love. And they loved her in turn. She could sense this, and she liked to think that any true gardener worth their salt could as well.
“My lady, these herbs! By all the gods above you have a talent. Come, Joplin, smell these herbs. Taste them. Fit for the king’s table, no less!” The head chef they had been gifted with by the Turnsbys and her assistant had taken one whiff of Jess’s cuttings and gazed upon her with a look unabashed admiration.
Jess grinned. “Come now, haven’t you picked plenty of fresh herbs yourself? You know the house gardens are open to you, and I pride our home on having the most potent herbs to be found anywhere outside the king’s private gardens.”
The woman nodded agreeably even as she wiped away her damp brow with a cotton kerchief. “Indeed, my lady. It is a true pleasure to work in kitchens as fine as these. But the herbs from your private greenhouse? Truly, there is no comparison to that bounty. A gift fit for royalty I assure you, my lady.”
Jess laughed. “You flatter me, dear chef. But thank you for your warm words, nonetheless. And please pass on my compliments to the Turnsbys as well, for allowing us to borrow you, so to speak.”
“Of course, my lady. I am pleased that both you and your familiar are so gracious as to think well of my humble preparations.” The master culinarian bowed deeply then. “An honor to serve you and your family, my lady.”
Jess nodded. “Don’t let me keep you any further, dear chef. I eagerly await tonight’s masterpiece!” With that, a much soothed Jess began whistling a cheerful tune, heading up the stairs to her quarters, interested to see if any parcels or letters by pigeon had been delivered.
Appolonia, looking gorgeous as always, auburn locks in carefully prepared tresses flowing down her shoulder like a graceful waterfall and wearing an exquisitely sewn gown of rich forest green, met Jess at the top of the stairs holding several sealed envelopes. “It appears that you are the popular one today, my dear sister.” Her smile invited confidence. “Do let me read them with you. Perhaps there is some juicy gossip or scandal to lighten the weight of the day.”
Jess nodded, and together the proceeded to her quarters.
“Um, Jess?”
“What’s on your mind, sister mine?”
“Hmm, I’m never quite sure how to put this but…sometimes silence is golden.”
Jess frowned. “Why does no one like my humming? Or my singing for that matter?”
Appolonia gave her sister’s arm an affectionate squeeze. “Come, Jess. Let us not worry over trifles. We have juicy letters to read!”
Allowing herself to be mollified, Jess quit tormenting the ether, and shortly thereafter the pair found themselves on Appolonia’s soft feather bed, Apple declaring that Jess’s bed at this point was no better than a mound of leaves and vines, which Jess couldn’t argue with as that was absolutely true, though it was a very comfortable mound of leaves and vines, which her sister couldn't deny either, and together they spent a pleasant hour sipping wine and laughing over her friends' exploits and adventures.
/> “Thank goodness, Raphael and Josie are still together! Though I had no doubt, really. When do you think he will propose? Hopefully soon!”
Jess nodded, thinking about two of her closest friends from back in the college. Raphael diOnni, son of perhaps the richest duke in the entire kingdom, for all that Raphael's father and his sire before him had made their wealth through manufacture and carefully fostered trade alliances, as opposed to vast tracts of land and conquest. Jess knew that Raphael had attended Highrock, Erovering's premier college of war, originally as a bit of a lark, and of course to make contacts and alliances with the many powerful sons and daughters of other lords that also attended the school, Highrock also taking on extremely diligent and gifted students of humbler backgrounds, the best among them trained as future commander, knights, healers, and battlemages, all honing their skills most intently for the good of the kingdom.
Josie, of course, had originated from a somewhat humbler background than Raphael's own, the youngest child of one of Erovering's many lesser lords, all who owed fealty to the named lords of the kingdom; the dukes and barons who themselves gave their oath of fealty directly to the king. In truth, Josie's family was as humble as could be for a noble clan, little more than titled farmers with large tracts of land and men to till their fields. Yet her gift for healing was undeniable, and she had been granted a scholarship to attend Highrock, training diligently to be the best healer she could. Somehow, both Raphael and Josie became the best of friends with Jess, different as their personalities were, and had fallen in love with each other to boot.
Jess nodded. “It looks like Raphael’s father doesn’t object to Josie living in quarters with his son. It’s a good thing they have the personal healer pretext to save face with, but with the circles his family runs in, I doubt anyone would much care anyway.”
Apple chuckled evilly at that. “It’s true. The richer you are, the more licentious you can be, and the more liberated you can live your life. Why, compared to half the girls at Court, we’re practically a conservative backwater!”
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