As we all took our seats, Lord Allemond examined the porcelain dishes and pewter goblets.
“From Chaumont Manor, I assume?” he posed, sounding every inch a snob.
“Part of my dowry,” I answered diplomatically, “and I think they grace my new father’s table well.”
Allemond shifted in his chair. It was clear that none of this was playing out as he’d expected. He’d most likely expected to find me a shadow of my painfully quiet former self, abused and cowed by the brutes of Volodane Hall. He’d expected an embarrassing show on Jarrod’s part in attempting to host a dinner—a peasant with money playing at being a lord.
Betty and Matilda poured wine. It was from the best cask my parents had sent, but I made a mental note to talk to Jarrod soon about acquiring more. He would need decent wine if he planned to continue entertaining.
Phillipe and Lady Rosamund both took a sip, and I could see they were not pleased at its good quality.
Not long after, the fish course arrived. Again, Betty and Matilda quietly served.
I was so nervous that I wasn’t certain how much I could eat, but I did taste the salmon. It was perfect, just barely cooked through and still slightly moist. Lord Allemond tasted it and the displeased expression on his face brought me an embarrassing amount of satisfaction. He’d not expected the food to be perfect.
Glancing down the table, I could see Jarrod enjoying his guests’ smug disappointment. Seeing that, I tried to amend my attitude. It was unkind to take pleasure in the discomfort of others. But I knew my role here.
After that, as further courses were served, Sebastian took over the conversation. Neither Jarrod, Rolf, or Kai had anything to say to the Monvílles, but Sebastian was better at small talk, and he kept our guests suitably entertained. Lady Rosamund hung on his every word, and I couldn’t help noticing how her eyes continued to move from his hair, over his face, and down to his arms.
Poor Kai appeared especially uncomfortable in the mix, and he brightened only once when Phillipe spoke to him directly. “I’m sorry I didn’t arrange any matches for entertainment here tonight. There wasn’t time, but I’ve always been astonished watching you in the ring at Partheney.”
I had no idea what he meant by “match” or “ring,” but Kai actually smiled at him. “Thank you. Next time perhaps. We have plenty of room here.”
Before I could learn more about this, Rolf entered the conversation to ask about their wheat crop.
Somehow, we made it to dessert. No one had mentioned the land deal as of yet, but I knew the men would not discuss it over the table.
Then, just as we were finishing strawberry tarts with cream sauce, one of the Monvílle guards carried in a small harp. Watching this, Allemond frowned at his wife.
“Oh, my dear,” she said, sound strained. “I had quite forgotten.”
They must have given the guard instructions earlier.
“You brought a harp?” Sebastian asked.
That did seem odd.
“Yes . . .” Lady Rosamund began. “As a wedding gift. We have not heard Megan play in some time and hoped to impose upon her.” She looked at Jarrod. “Forgive my presumption, but I did not think you would posses such an instrument here.”
The Monvílles were then rewarded by the moment of discomfort on the part of the Volodanes, and I raced to think of what to say. No one had told them I played the harp. Of Helena’s many, many talents, music was not among them, and I had often entertained my parents’ guests. Even then, getting up in front of people had been difficult for me, but I obeyed my parents.
Once again, the Monvílles had hoped to embarrass Jarrod, probably thinking that I would be too shattered by my newfound existence to consider such a public display of myself. Even more, that the harp would look ridiculously out-of-place at Volodane Hall.
Looking directly at Jarrod, I said, “Father, would you like me to play?”
In this way, I placed him back in control of the situation, as if the decision to hear music tonight was entirely his.
He nodded.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at me quizzically.
Standing, I went to the harp and settled myself. Then I drew upon the strings to test them. It was a good instrument. First, I played a lively, cheerful tune—or as lively as one can play on a harp—and I glanced over to see the astonishment on Jarrod’s face.
I should have told him before, but it had never occurred to me.
When I finished, Phillipe called out, “Sing us a ballad. The one about the girl who drowns.”
Lady Rosamund smiled tightly. “Of course. Megan has such a sweet, clear voice.”
Again, her words were barbs, for my voice would certainly never fill a large room, and she meant to point this out. But I could carry a tune and hit the highest notes with a pleasing sound as opposed to the screech of many young noblewomen.
Rolf and Kai glanced at each other in open surprise, as if uncertain this scene was playing out in their own hall.
When I began to sing, everyone fell silent. Even Betty and Matilda stopped moving. The ballad was a sad one about two star-crossed lovers who tried to escape their families, each one taking a different ship to meet up on the shores of another country.
The girl’s ship is caught is a storm, and she is lost.
In the last stanza, she speaks to her love:
When you look at the harsh waves
When you look at the sea
When your long life is ending
You will still see me
I allowed the final note to hang in the air. When I looked up, Rolf stared back at me, and then he began to clap. The others joined him quickly, even Kai.
“I think that might be enough music,” Lady Rosamund said.
By way of answer, Jarrod stood, and I was glad he knew enough to cue the others. It was customary after dessert and entertainment for the guests to walk about a dining hall, sipping wine, looking at tapestries, and visiting with one another.
I also knew this was the time the men would conduct business, and I quietly made my way to Jarrod, Rolf, and Lord Allemond where they stood near the hearth.
Discussion of the land purchase was already underway.
“I do think you should ride the day after next and meet me at the old hunting lodge,” Allemond was saying. “My gamekeeper swears some of the trees have bark beetles. I haven’t seen an issue, but with such rumors, it would be wise for both of us if you and Rolf come out and check for yourselves before money changes hands.”
Jarrod was a cautious man by nature, and he listened carefully. “The day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’m free that afternoon.”