I read the note twice, nonplussed. She wrote as if we were friends, and I barely knew her. I had seen her while accompanying my father in Partheney, but I didn’t recall her ever speaking to me. She and her husband, Henri, were minor nobility, but they were widely known for giving lavish house parties that lasted for days. Although I’d never attended such an event, my parents had. These parties were one of the few social engagements where my father claimed he didn’t need me—or my ability. Later, I learned from my sister that she and I didn’t take part because the Cornett house parties had a rather wild reputation, with guests sometimes waking up in the wrong beds.
Why would Violette invite the Volodanes to one of their house parties? Did they believe Jarrod and Rolf’s star was on the rise due to a mix of wealth and new social connection? Did they wish to establish a friendship in the early days? It was possible.
That night, before dinner, I took the note to Jarrod and let him read it.
His eyes scanned the paper, and he looked up. “Henri Cornett isn’t on the Council of Nobles.”
“No, but I’d guess there will be several men in attendance who are on the council. This is a sign you’re being accepted into society.”
Slowly, he nodded. “Write back and accept.”
Over dinner that night, he made the announcement that we’d all be attending, and the reactions from his sons were varied. Rolf appeared quietly interested. He glanced at me as if I were to thank for the invitation.
Sebastian was openly pleased. “The Cornetts? Really? We’d best keep our wits about us. The rumors of some of their gatherings are scandalous.”
But he said “scandalous” as if it was something to be anticipated.
Only Kai balked. “I’m not going. That sounds like three days on the fourth plane of hell to me.”
“You’re going,” Jarrod stated flatly. “Lady Violette mentioned you by name and told you to bring your sword.”
I’d wondered about that line in the letter. For one, Kai would never go anywhere without his sword. Still, no one explained it to me, but Kai stopped arguing and didn’t seem so reticent anymore.
The next week was a blur of activity as Miriam and I spent hours each day sewing new clothes for everyone, and I made packing lists.
Jarrod nearly had a fit when he saw the gifts I’d had loaded into a wagon: casks of wine, fine tea, and early apples from the Volodane orchard.
“It’s expected,” I explained. “We’ll look like peasants if we arrive empty-handed.”
He frowned but thankfully deferred to my knowledge of such matters.
Finally, the day of our departure arrived.
The Cornetts’ estate was to the east of ours, and Jarrod estimated that if we left early in the morning, we could reach our destination by that same evening.
He and Rolf rode at the head of our party. Kai rode with the guards, and I rode beside Sebastian with Miriam directly behind us. The day was fine, and I enjoyed the ride. It felt good to be outside again.
“You look happy,” Sebastian observed.
“I am.” Then I grew thoughtful. “Or at least I am right now. But I haven’t the faintest idea what we’re heading into or exactly why we were invited. I’m hoping the Cornetts simply believe your family is on the rise and they wish to make early inroads.”
“I couldn’t care less why we were invited,” he answered. “I intend to have a good time.”
As Jarrod had gauged, we arrived in the early evening.
Even in the fading light, I could see the Cornetts’ manor was large and exquisite, with a white-painted stucco fa?ade and a stylish black front door. At the sight of it, Jarrod expressed a flash of hesitation, but it came and went quickly.
Upon dismounting, we were met by several servants and shown inside the manor. A tall woman in a starched white apron approached us in the entryway.
“My lord and lady and the other guests are dressing for dinner. Please follow me, and I’ll show you to your rooms.” She paused and looked to me. “Is it acceptable for you and Lord Rolf to share?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Not all married nobles shared rooms, even as guests.
Dressing for dinner was nothing unusual to me, but it still was for the men, and they all followed my lead, remaining silent and following the tall woman, who I assumed was the housekeeper. We were shown our various rooms. We changed into evening attire and were shown back downstairs.
As we walked toward the back of the manor, I saw a large archway leading to a great dining chamber, and my stomach tightened.
I was about to represent my new family to a pack of nobles who were all probably hoping the Volodanes would provide entertainment by behaving like the brutes everyone thought them to be.
Tonight, I wore a red velvet gown and Helena’s diamond pendant.
As I entered the dining hall on Rolf’s arm, numerous heads turned. I judged there to be about forty people and focused my attention entirely on the smiling woman walking toward me.
“Megan, my dear,” Lady Violette exclaimed, kissing both my cheeks.
She was beautiful, tiny and pale with black hair. Though she must be in her late thirties, she looked ten years younger. Both her greeting and her kisses felt different from Lady Rosamund’s.
I almost believed Violette was delighted to see me, and that we’d been friends before tonight.
She greeted the men with me just as warmly, and I could see Jarrod was somewhat thrown off-balance by her beauty. That surprised me. I’d never seen him affected by a woman.
But Violette stopped on Sebastian, taking in the sight of his face, clothing, and dark hair. “Goodness, where have you been hiding?”
“Cast off in the wastelands.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled.
I could see right away that those two were kindred spirits, both of them loved wit and pleasure above all else. She took his arm and led him into the room. We followed.
The next few moments were a blur of greetings or introductions. I knew most everyone by name and face. My parents were not in attendance.
Rolf did well, greeting men and asking about pending crops. In a different way from Sebastian, he was becoming a natural at conducting himself among the nobles. I could see the other men responding to him as one of their own.
Jarrod and Kai both managed to nod politely, but I could see Jarrod felt out of his element and Kai was nearly overwhelmed.
“Megan, darling,” said a female voice to my left.
Turning, I was rendered speechless for a few seconds by the sight of Lady Rosamund Monvílle.
Looking over her shoulder, I saw Lord Allemond chatting with his brother, Phillipe.
“My lady,” I said, recovering myself and letting her kiss me.
Violette released Sebastian’s arm to join us. “Rosamund was the one who suggested I invite you,” our hostess confessed. “I must say I’m so glad she did.”
I blinked. Rosamund had wrangled this invitation?
“It was Lord Allemond’s idea,” Rosamund put in with a strained smiled. “He insisted.”
“Well then, I’m glad he did,” Violette answered, not appearing to note any tension. Perhaps she didn’t. I was beginning to like her, but a warning bell sounded in the back of my mind.
Why would Lord Allemond insist that his wife arrange an invitation for us? He hated the Volodanes. I’d need to look for a way to speak to Jarrod quietly as soon as possible.