His words echoed in my ears.
You and I could go so far together.
I touched his chest and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him more easily. We might not have fire or passion or love, but perhaps we were developing mutual respect and need.
And for me—who’d never once been valued—the prospect of respect and need could be just as seductive as love.
For the first time since arriving here, I couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
Chapter 4
By the time the Monvílles were ready to leave the following morning, of course, Jarrod hadn’t committed to any sort of meeting to inspect the trees for bark beetles.
He simply told Lord Allemond, “I’ll send word to you as soon as we can arrange the spare time.”
While this answer must have frustrated Allemond, it wasn’t a refusal, and so he offered a strained smile. “Let me know any time that is convenient. I’ll look for your message.”
With that, we said our polite good-byes. Lady Rosamund hypocritically kissed my cheek. She cast one long glance at Sebastian, and then their retinue mounted up and rode from the courtyard.
Afterward, I wondered if Jarrod would wish to speak more on what I’d seen in Lord Allemond’s mind.
He didn’t.
I wondered if he would make mention of me having dismissed Lavonia.
He didn’t.
Instead, all four of the men proceeded into their normal daily tasks. Sebastian headed off to the barracks, most likely to play cards. Kai had a sparring session. Jarrod and Rolf rode out to check the state of the apple orchards.
I headed off to the kitchens for a task I believed would be expected of me, something my mother had always done the day after a banquet.
As I entered the kitchen, Ester smiled. “Was the meal last night to Lord Jarrod’s liking?”
“It was perfect. He could not have been more pleased. Thank you so much.” I looked at the other girls, including Cora. “And thank you. I know you all worked hard.”
Cora had been watching me nervously, but she appeared to relax at my words. This made me glad, as it convinced me she wanted to keep her position and that perhaps without Lavonia’s influence, she might work out well.
I turned back to Ester. “So, how much food is left? How many of us will be needed to carry it down?”
She looked back at me in puzzlement. “Carry it down?”
“To the village.”
I wondered about her confusion. It was common practice for the lady of any noble household to have all the leftovers collected the morning after a banquet and then help take them down to the nearest village to be given to the poor.
Ester didn’t appear familiar with this custom.
Quickly, I explained it.
“Oh, I don’t think so, my lady,” she said, shaking her head. “The master wouldn’t like that at all. He’d be angry.” She paused. “Did you ask Lord Rolf?”
I hadn’t. It had never occurred to me. In my previous world, this practice was tradition.
“No.”
“You’d best ask him.”
Jarrod and Rolf were both gone, but for the first time, I felt uncertain regarding the limits of my power in the realm of the kitchen. If Ester said Jarrod would be displeased, even angered, by a charitable act, I felt I ought to listen.
After nodding, I moved on to other duties.
However, that night, we were served the leftover beef and chicken for dinner, and I decided not to ask Jarrod or Rolf after all. They did things differently here, and I would need to adjust.
The days began to pass, and no one mentioned the Monvílles again. Rolf and I continued to come to know each other a little better, but the only time we spent alone was in my room at night. He never sought my company otherwise nor offered to take me riding on the land. I wasn’t unhappy, but I wondered when I might once again leave the confines of the manor.
Two weeks following the banquet, Jarrod came home earlier than usual and sent for me. I found him the dining hall. The day was warm, and so no fire had been lit, but he stood by the hearth.
“You wished to see me?” I asked absently. I’d been taking stock of the larder with Ester and wanted to get back.
Turning, he studied my face for a moment. “You’re a Volodane now, girl. Not a Chaumont.”
Suddenly, he had my full attention.
“Of course,” I answered cautiously.
“At the end of summer, the Council of Nobles convenes at the castle in Partheney.”
I already knew this. The council of twelve always met in late summer, and the king attended as well.
After a pause, he added, “I want an invitation.”
“Why? There is currently no open seat on the council.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to be there for the gathering,” Jarrod said flatly. “I want an invitation.”
“I can’t arrange that for you.”
“Your father can.”
At this, I walked over to him, tilting my head up to see his hawkish features. “He can, but I’m not certain he would. Do you wish me to ask him?”
“No, I want you to make sure. Write and tell him that unless he gains us an invitation, I’ll spread word that the Chaumonts are nearly bankrupt, that he had no dowry to give you, and that I paid him for your hand.”
“I can’t tell him that.”
His eyes narrowed. “Oh, I think you can, and I won’t even need to bruise your arm this time. I think you’ll do it for Rolf.”
We stood watching each other without speaking. My mind flashed back to Rolf’s tenderness the night of the banquet, of the things he’d said to me.
You and I could go so far together. I could gain a seat on the Council of Nobles. We could shape the nation’s policies.
“I trust you have paper and quill?” Jarrod asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
That evening, I wrote to my father.
While I awaited an answer, a message arrived for me.
I knew it probably wouldn’t be from my father, as not enough time had passed, and I somewhat taken aback to see it was from Lady Violette Cornett.
My dear Megan,
Or should I call you Lady Volodane now?
How pleased I was to hear of your marriage! The baron and I have planned a brief house party, only three days, beginning the week after next. We should so like to see you and your new family. The manor will be bursting, but we have plenty of guest rooms.
Do let me know if you can attend, and be certain to tell young Kai to bring his sword as the baron is planning lively entertainments.
With affection,
Violette