The maid appeared and Roo said, “You may begin serving.”
The guests fell to, and the food was both delicious and bountiful. After a more than satisfying meal, Erik stood. He looked around the room and saw Katherine smiling at his awkward stance. He loudly cleared his throat, and when conversation didn’t diminish, he said, “Listen!”
He had raised his voice louder than he had wished and the room fell silent, then erupted in laughter. Blushing furiously, Erik held up his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said, grinning at his own embarrassment “It’s my duty as the groom’s companion to offer a toast to the newlywed couple.” He glanced at Luis. “Or so I have been informed.”
Luis nodded with a courtly smile and a wave of his hand. Erik said, “I’m not one for words, but I do know this: Roo is my friend, more like a brother to me than any man living, and I only wish his happiness.” Then he looked at Karli and said, “I hope that you love him as I do and that he loves you as you deserve.” He raised his goblet of wine and said, “To the newlywed couple. May they live to an old age and never regret a moment of their lives together. May they know happiness every day of their lives.”
The company drank the toast and cheered, then Roo stood and said, “Thank you.” He turned, to Karli. “I know this has been a difficult time,” he said, referring to her father’s murder, “but my earnest desire is to make the bad times fade into memory and to fill your days with happiness.”
Karli smiled and blushed and Roo held her hand awkwardly. The dinner progressed and Roo was filled with good cheer and too much wine. He noticed that Erik spent a great deal of time talking to the girl Katherine, and that Karli kept her own counsel most of the day.
Soon the guests began to excuse themselves, and after night fell, Roo and Karli were bidding good evening to Erik, who was the last to leave. When the door closed, Roo turned to his wife and found her staring at him, an expression impossible to read on her face.
“What is it?” he asked, suddenly sobering with a stab of fear. Something about her manner caused him to feel the need to draw a weapon.
She came into his arms and put her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Roo’s head swam and he felt his knees wobble, but he forced himself to be alert enough to ask, “What are you talking about?”
Over the sound of sobbing, he heard Karli say, “I wanted this to be a happy day.”
Roo said, “And it isn’t?”
Karli didn’t speak. Tears were her only answer.
11
Travel
Jason pointed.
The pile of ledgers and journals before the former waiter from Barret’s was daunting. “Well, I’ve been through them all,” he said as he pushed his chair back from the writing desk now established in the corner of the workshop.
Carpenters had built a set of shelves for Jason, as well as a low railing around his work area, so he could see anyone coming into the warehouse, despite some privacy. Roo had informed the youth that he would be responsible for the smooth operation of the freight business if he, Duncan, and Luis were all absent from the premises at the same time.
Duncan looked bored, as he usually did when it came to matters of business, unless it was getting paid, and Luis was his usual taciturn self. Roo said, “And?”
Jason said, “Well, you’re in better shape than you thought, if you can get some of those who owed Helmut money to pay up.” He held out a parchment upon which he had been working for days and said, “I’ve compiled a list and the amounts owed.”
Roo glanced at it “There are a couple of noblemen here!” Jason smiled. “Experience at Barret’s tells me they may be very slow in paying accounts.” He paused a moment, then added, “If you don’t mind my saying, you might just wish to let some of those debts ride until you need a favor from someone highly placed in court or with influence with another noble; that sort of thing.”
Roo shook his head. “I don’t mind your saying.”
Holding out another list, Jason said, “I had more trouble with this.”
Roo looked at the second list. “What’s this?”
“People Mr. Grindle did business with in distant cities, but whose identity is unclear.”
Roo’s confusion was evident. “Their identity is unclear?” Jason said, “This is not uncommon. Often those who trade in valuable goods don’t wish it widely known they have rare items in their possession, or that they need to sell such. Hence the notations. It’s a code, and only Mr. Grindle knew the identities of these people.”
Roo puzzled over the list. “Maybe Karli knows who some of these people are. She knows a great deal more about her father’s trade than I think even he was aware of.”