“Yes, I would, but my trunk is with our train.”
“Some of my father’s clothing is in the wardrobe in your room. Please use whatever you like.”
“That is very generous of you and your mother. Thank you.”
She gave a slight curtsey. She flashed a seductive smile while demurely lowering her eyes. Flirting seemed second nature to her. I bowed deeply before returning to my room and firmly closing the door.
A wash basin had been thoughtfully filled. Before I could dip the washcloth into it, a soft knock sounded on the oak door.
“Come in.”
The door was thrown open and four men came in, each carrying two buckets of hot water. They carefully emptied each bucket into a large porcelain, footed bath in the corner of the room. Not a drop fell out of the bath. A graceful maid followed them, balancing a tray of bottles.
“Lady Balindoch thought you might like some scented oils.”
She carefully set the tray on the dresser and opened the three colored bottles. She held each up to me to sniff as she watched my face. I went back to the second bottle and nodded. With a quick bob to me, she tipped some of the bottle into the bath. I hoped the smell wouldn’t be overwhelming.
“I will leave the rest of this for your use, Master Conran.”
I waited until everyone had left before locking the door. Quickly, I undressed and gratefully lowered myself into the scented, warm water. I ducked my head into the water to wash my hair first. Using the washcloth and soap from the wash basin, I scrubbed all the dirt and dust from the road. The water soon turned brown.
I carefully stepped out, dipped the washcloth into the standing basin and rinsed myself. I hung the cloth on the attached rack before drying myself with a large towel that hung on the opposite rack. I felt clean and refreshed.
Reluctantly, I went to the mirrored wardrobe and opened it. The clothing within was as fine as the appointments of the bedroom. I sorted through them and selected a dark blue outfit with a gold brocade vest that I knew would complement my coloring and reddish hair.
The pants were the correct length but a little baggy as was the fine jacket. At least, the sleeves covered my wrists. Despite these minor shortcomings, I felt presentable.
I wiped my boots clean and shined them as best I could. I brushed my damp hair and smoothed the clothes before leaving my room. A manservant straightened and bowed as I opened the door.
“Master Conran, I will escort you to Lady Balindoch and Mistress Balindoch if you would be so kind as to follow me.”
“It would be my pleasure,” I responded gravely.
We quickly descended the wide staircase. He led me up a side hallway and into a bright, sunny room. Fira and her mother were gracefully seated on two elegant sofas.
The room was airy and decorated in pale greens and yellows. It brought to mind a spring garden. Ilena’s mother was shorter and more voluptuous than her daughters but it was clear where they got their beauty. Her creamy complexion was crowned with dark and glossy hair.
Lady Balindoch turned to watch me enter. I saw a sparkling in the light around her and knew where Ilena received her gift. Lady Balindoch’s eyes were a startling deep blue over a thin aquiline nose. Her mouth was full and curved into a welcoming smile. I sensed more of Ilena than Fira in her. I quickly crossed the room and bowed deeply before her.
“Lady Balindoch, thank you for your hospitality and the loan of these fine clothes.”
“I cannot imagine them suiting anyone better though I see we may need to make some adjustments. I hope you will accept them as a gift as well as anything else in the wardrobe that suits you. It would please me to have the clothes go to such a fine young man. Do have a seat, so we can refresh ourselves and get to know one another.”
She gracefully designated the armchair between her and Fira. I carefully sat down and accepted a plate of small sandwiches and a cup of steaming tea from Fira. I couldn’t help noticing how subdued she was in the presence of her mother.
“Fira, would you get an extra set of tea cups? I had requested four.”
I felt more than saw Fira’s displeasure at being sent away, despite her silent departure. Lady Balindoch watched as her daughter left and waited until the door closed behind her before turning to me.
“What happened to the King’s messenger?”
“Once he knew you were with Fira, he said he had to return to court.”
I nodded and tentatively sipped at the tea.
“How is Ilena?”
“She is very well. Lady Ilena has become one of my closest friends and a mentor,” I replied warmly. “I can’t begin to tell you how much she has helped me. She is very well respected by the court and my family.”
Lady Balindoch smiled warmly at me.
“Ilena was always such a lady, even as a little girl. Thank you for letting me know how well she is regarded.” I saw the sparkle of tears as she added softly, “I have missed her terribly.”
I tactfully ignored her emotion and bit into my sandwich. I was much hungrier than I’d realized. I quickly finished it and ate another. I forced myself to pause as Fira reentered and settled herself by me with a rustle of her skirts.
“You have a beautiful and impressive castle,” I couldn’t help commenting. “I believe the bedroom is the nicest I have been in. My mother would love it.”
A flush of pleasure rose in her high cheekbones. She looked down before smiling and looking directly into my eyes.
“Your mother raised a very gallant son. Thank you for the lovely compliments.”
“Would you like a scone or pastry?” Fira interrupted.
“Yes, please. I didn’t realize how hungry I was and everything is so delicious.”
“More tea?” Lady Balindoch graciously inquired with a warning look at her daughter.
“Thank you, Lady Balindoch.”
We ate and sipped tea quietly. The door opened and the butler stepped just inside.
“Lady Balindoch, Lord Seahorn has arrived.”
To my surprise and pleasure, I watched the tall figure of my stepfather enter as the butler stepped back. I almost spilled my tea in my haste to set my cup and plate on the side table, so I could stand. Giving me a quick smile, Brendan quickly strode to Lady Balindoch and bowed gracefully over her outstretched hand.
“Lady Balindoch,” he said in his deep voice.
“Please call me Gullveigh.”
“And call me Brendan.”
“This is my youngest daughter, Fira.”
Fira graciously curtsied without any apparent simpering. Brendan acknowledged her with a smile before stepping close to me and whispering “Your mother thought it too early to take the twins traveling, and I thought it best Joseph and Andrea remain home. I reassured her you would understand but she is sorry to miss your ceremony.”
“Of course. How is Mother?”
“She has recovered well but I hope this is our last child.” He paused before adding, “I have a letter for you and a gift from the both of us.”
He slipped a bulky letter to me. I was eager to open it, but started to slip it into my vest when Lady Balindoch gracefully rose.
“I will see to a fresh pot of tea. Fira, please accompany me.”
Fira looked annoyed but quickly followed her mother out of the small room.
“How very tactful of her,” Brendan commented as he took her vacated seat beside me on the small settee. “I’m eager to know if you like your gift. You can read the letter later. Open and see your gift,” he insisted.
I couldn’t help grinning at his boyish enthusiasm. I was eager, too, as Brendan always gave the best gifts. Quickly, I untied the twine and carefully opened the folded paper. A heavy ring dropped into my hand. I lifted it to see it was a signet ring with an unknown coat of arms cut into a fiery bloodstone.
“That is your new coat of arms. Your mother, King Drexel and I worked on selecting what seemed the most appropriate for you. What do you think?”
An eagle cl
utched a spear in the upper right-hand corner with wavy lines signifying water in the upper left and lower right sections. In the lower right corner was an ornate egg. The banner across the bottom was blank.
“I love it. Thank you.”
Brendan exhaled and sat back. “I hoped you would like it. We thought you should determine your own motto. Once you have, we can have it engraved when we visit you in Florenza. Your mother sent a trunk of clothes, too.”
“Lady Balindoch offered me a lot of her husband’s clothing, too. I will have more clothes than I can possibly use.”
“Don’t be too sure of that. You will be able to make good use of them at the Court of Florenza. It is important you represent Argelle and King Drexel well.”
“I shall do my best. I hope we can see each other more.” I paused before adding gently, “I do not see more children.”
My stepfather smiled in relief.
“Thank you, Conran. I could not bear to lose your mother during childbirth. See if the ring fits.”
I slipped the ring on my right ring finger. The fit was snug but comfortable.
“Perfect!” I announced, waving my hand before Brendan.
We were laughing as Lady Balindoch entered the room. She was followed closely by a maid bearing a tray with a fresh pot of tea and another full of pastries, which she arranged on the low table before our sofa. Fira quickly entered, took an empty plate, filled it and, smiling, handed it to Brendan as her mother gracefully poured a cup of tea. Quietly, Fira took my empty plate and filled it with two more fluffy scones.
“Thank you, Fira. I don’t think I should have any more though.”
“How far behind is your party?” Brendan asked.
“They should be here within the hour if they kept at the pace Silvesto was setting. Lady and Mistress Balindoch have everything ready.”
“You will have the room next to Conran’s, Lord Seahorn,” Fira offered softly. “I can have someone take your baggage to your room.”
“Thank you, Fira. My bags are on my horse.”
With a deep curtsy, Fira left the room.
“I can see the resemblance between your daughters,” Brendan commented. “They are as beautiful as their mother.”
“I see where Conran learned his charm! Sadly, much of the resemblance is surface only with my youngest,” Lady Balindoch said dryly before sipping her tea. “Do not let her sudden demureness fool you. Ilena never gave me cause for worry, but Fira lives up to her name. Fira means fiery. She has always been so headstrong and far too sure of herself. I only hope it never brings her to grief.”
I dipped my head to hide my consternation. Some parents never shied of discussing their offspring’s shortcomings to strangers. I was thankful Mother would never think of disparaging me to others. However, my recent vision showed a terrible future if Fira followed her impetuous nature. I needed to warn her of a potentially disastrous marriage.
“I would like to check on my horse. He tends to get temperamental if I don’t. Would you both excuse me? I shouldn’t be long.”
“Of course. Please let me know if anything is amiss.”
I silently answered Brendan’s questioning look with a narrowing of the eye only he could see. He gave a brief nod in response. I hoped to intercept Fira before she returned.
“I’m sure your groomsmen have taken good care of everything,” I reassured Lady Balindoch as I bowed deeply, trying to emulate Brendan’s effortless grace. The warm bath had eased all soreness.
I quietly closed the door behind me. As I’d hoped, Fira was just entering the short hallway. I smiled at her to let her know I was waiting for her.
“I want to check on my horse. Would you join me?” I asked, offering her my arm.
Smiling coquettishly, she nodded and took my arm as she led me out the front door. We followed a stone pathway around the front of the castle and beside a grove of well-tended fruit trees. I wasn’t surprised to see the stables were as impressive as the castle.
“I heard he’s magnificent,” Fira commented.
“He is. I received him as a colt and learned to train him. I don’t believe I will ever receive a better birthday gift.”
“I enjoy riding but don’t have a horse of my own. What is his name?
“Scimitar,” I answered as we approached the open stable doors.
Scimitar nickered loudly when he heard his name. The doors were open on both ends allowing me to easily see Scimitar’s creamy head in the streaming sunlight.
“Ohh, he’s beautiful,” Fira gushed. “Will he let me touch him?”
“Yes, he likes to be rubbed between his eyes and down his nose.”
Once she was stroking Scimitar, I looked around to be sure no one could overhear us.
“Fira, I have something serious to tell you.”
Her hand stilled before she turned to warily face me.
“I don’t know how much you have heard about me but I can often see the future. When you took my hand upstairs, I saw yours.”
“What did you see?” she asked in a subdued voice.
I saw the fear in her eyes and hastened to reassure her.
“What I saw can be changed, which is why I wanted to warn you. You can change your future. I’ve been able to avoid several problems.”
“Was it that bad?” Fira whispered. “What did you see?”
“Within the year you will be courted by two men. One your mother approves of, the other she doesn’t. You marry the man she doesn’t like just to be perverse.”
I paused to gauge her reaction. Fira didn’t seem annoyed, so I continued.
“After the marriage, you learn how cruel he is. He viciously beats and torments you.” I paused again to decide how much to tell her and how. I checked again to be sure we were still alone. Softly, I continued, “He forces you to do repugnant and demeaning things. Desperate, you pay one of his men to kill him.”
To my dismay, she appeared more fascinated than horrified.
“Your freedom is short lived,” I warned. “Despite being pregnant, you are dragged from your home. Your neighbors pelt you with garbage and manure as you are led to a hanging tree. You are hung slowly, so you suffer terribly before dying.”
Finally, I saw an inkling of fear. Her face slowly paled as she seemed to visualize what I’d told her. I waited quietly. I wanted to be sure she understood the gravity of her possible actions.
“I spared you the gruesome details of what your husband does to you,” I added softy. “Trust me when I say there is nothing good or romantic about it.”
Fira turned and rubbed Scimitar’s nose. With her back to me, she asked, “How do I avoid it?”
“As hard as it will be for you, listen to your mother and marry the man she approves of.”
“If I didn’t know better, I would think you and Mother connived this little story but I know there wasn’t time.” Several more minutes of silence before she added, “How do you know I will be happy with Mother’s choice?”
“I saw you with two sons and a pretty little girl in a beautiful mansion. You were smiling and truly happy. Your husband looked as if he worshiped you.”
The last comment made her turn around.
“I’ve always wanted a man to worship me,” Fira murmured with a small smile.
“Promise me not to forget this conversation.”
“I’m not stupid!”
“I didn’t think you were. I just want you to make good choices when the time arrives and not let Count Longden sweep you off your feet.”
The man’s name had suddenly come to me.
“That’s his name?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
“No. What is the name of the man I should marry?”
I closed my eyes and let the second vision sweep over me.
“His name is Richard de Foreste.”
“That is an elegant name. I hope he has a title,” she ruminated as she turned away from Scimitar.
Disdain surged up but I pushed my feelin
gs down, saying nothing. An awkward silence fell between us. I busied myself, checking Scimitar’s feed before getting a brush and slowly currying him. I could feel Fira watching me. I looked up and forced a smile.
“I think I should rejoin Mother and Lord Seahorn. I want to greet my sister and your friends when they arrive.”
“They will appreciate that. I will follow shortly.”
At the wide entrance of the stable, she paused and turned. The sunlight shone on her hair, picking out blue highlights.
“Conran, I do appreciate all you said and I will heed the warning.”
This time, my smile was sincere. I continued smiling as I finished brushing Scimitar. He nickered softly and bumped me with his head.
“Enjoy this while you can. We’ll be back on the road soon.” I paused before adding, “At least, I hope so.”
Now that that I’d warned Fira, all I could think about was my imminent peerage. It was beyond my wildest dreams. How would this change my life? I felt both trepidation and excitement.
Shouts, rattling wagons and creaking harnesses interrupted my reverie. With a final stroke along Scimitar’s neck, I hurried outside. Pollen floated above the fruit trees. Mindful that Brendan might come out at any time, I walked quickly to the front of the house rather than running. True to her word, Fira was standing at the foot of the wide, curving stone entrance stairs.
“They made good time,” I commented as I joined her.
Lady Ilena’s carriage pulled up with a crunch of gravel. I stepped forward to open her door and lower the step.
“You made very good time,” I said as I helped her out.
“It was easier once the roads dried.”
“What about me?” Jamila asked from within the dim carriage.
“I couldn’t possibly forget you.”
I offered my most winning smile as I helped Jamila out. I heard a squeal and turned to see Fira flying down the steps and into her sister’s arms.
“That is Fira, Ilena’s sister,” I murmured to Jamila.
At that moment, Ilena stepped back from her sister and turned to us.
“Fira, this is my good friend, Jamila. Jamila, my younger sister, Fira.”
Fira coldly surveyed Jamila as if sizing her up as competition. Oblivious, Jamila smiled and curtsied as she’d learned at court.
The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran Page 9
