“Go,” he told me.
I hurried for the passage, wondering what they might say to each other after I was gone. Sebastian couldn’t know it, but he’d just done me a great service. Jarrod didn’t know about my ability, and I would never make such a mistake again. If he knew what I could do, he’d use me at every chance he had, ordering me to read his enemies or people he doubted. I longed to leave that part of my life behind and never invade anyone’s mind again.
Due to Sebastian’s protection, I’d kept my secret.
The near-conflict left me weary, and I decided to go up to my room and take just a few moments for myself.
I’d made it only halfway to the entrance to the tower when Betty came trotting behind me. “My lady.”
I stopped. “Yes?”
“Lavonia is asking for you in the kitchen. She says the fish has gone bad.”
“Gone bad?”
“That’s what she says, my lady.”
“I’m coming.”
I’d not dealt with Lavonia since that first meeting, so I didn’t know her well. She had volunteered to do the fish course and was probably being overly cautious. Doing an about-face, I headed west toward the kitchen. Upon arriving, I found it a busy place.
Ester was rolling crusts for strawberry tarts, and two girls Sebastian had hired for temporary help were scrubbing pots in a large washbasin. Cora sat peeling potatoes.
Lavonia appeared to be supervising.
“Betty says there’s a problem with the fish?” I asked, stepping through the archway.
Lavonia turned. “They’re spoilt. We can’t use them.”
When she spoke, she gave the impression that I was last person in the world she wished to see.
Ester stopped rolling, and everyone was listening to us.
“Those fish were caught this morning,” I answered. “I checked them myself. Where have they been stored?”
“They’re down in the cellar, in the coolest room,” Lavonia said. “You want to come down with me to check them?”
This seemed wise to me, and now I was concerned. If the salmon had somehow gone bad, we had little time to replace them, and Sebastian had been so particular about that dish as the first course.
I followed Lavonia down to the cellar where four large salmon had been placed in cold storage. Leaning over, I touched several of them. They were firm and fresh.
“Oh, Lavonia, these are fine.”
“You’re sure. I thought I smelled something bad.”
I sniffed several of the fish and smelled nothing wrong. “No, you can prepare them later today.”
She nodded tersely, and we headed back up.
After I left the kitchen and was on my way down the passage, I saw Sebastian coming toward me.
“Is your wrist all right?” he asked and then frowned. “Why are you here? Is anything wrong?”
“Lavonia said she was worried about the salmon, but I just checked them and they’re fine.”
His gaze moved down the passage toward the kitchen. “Lavonia told you that?”
“Yes, she’s preparing the dish. Why?”
He smiled at me. “No reason. Why don’t you go rest for a bit? You’ve not stopped all morning.”
He passed by me, continuing on.
That evening, I headed for the dining hall at precisely the right moment. My mother had always preferred to make an entrance at dinner parties, and I’d decided to follow her example.
Tonight, my hair hung loose with several strands in the front over my forehead and pinned up with a small jeweled clip. I wore kohl at the corners of my eyes and beet juice on my lips. My gown was burgundy silk with a v-neckline.
I stopped at the entrance of the hall to see what waited me.
All four Volodanes were there, wearing the new clothing Betty and I had made for them. Sebastian wore a high-collared jacket over a white shirt, and he cut a dashing figure.
He was the first one to spot me standing there, and he smiled with warmth in his eyes.
The hall was clean and properly arranged. There were white cloths on the table along with porcelain plates, silver cutlery, and pewter goblets. I’d done the centerpieces with wild growing roses and lilacs.
My gaze drifted to the guests: Lord Allemond, his wife Rosamund, and his brother, Phillipe. Several of the Volodane guards stood discreetly near the walls, along with several of the Monvílles’.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and entered the hall.
Lord Allemond spotted me next, and I couldn’t help a stab of satisfaction at the flicker of uncertainty that passed over his face. “Megan?”
The sight of me must have equally surprised Lady Rosamund, but she showed nothing besides false pleasure, kissing my cheeks and making politely cutting remarks that I pretended not to understand. I did notice her stealing occasional appreciative glances at Sebastian, but who could blame her? Most women would find him striking.
“Shall we all sit and enjoy some wine before dinner?” I asked.
As we took our seats, Lord Allemond examined the porcelain dishes and pewter goblets.
“From Chaumont Manor, I assume?” he posed.
“Part of my dowry,” I answered diplomatically, “and I think they grace my new father’s table well.”
I could see the silent glee in Sebastian’s eyes, and it gave me joy. After all our hard work, everything was perfect. Allemond shifted in his chair. It was clear that none of this was playing out as he’d expected.
Betty and Matilda poured wine from the best cask my parents had sent. Phillipe and Lady Rosamund both took a sip, frowning at its fine quality.
Not long after, the fish course arrived. Again, Betty and Matilda quietly served.
“How are your parents, my dear?” Lady Rosamund asked me, but even as she spoke, she stole another glance at Sebastian.
“Very well, I think,” I answered. “I haven’t had much time to write them.”
In truth, I’d written two letters to my mother, and she hadn’t answered.
“No, I can see you’ve been busy,” Rosamund answered, another cutting barb for the Volodanes on how I had transformed the hall.
Once everyone had been served a portion of the salmon, she, Phillipe, and Jarrod raised their forks at the same time. I lifted mine, anxious that this first course should meet their standards. The fish was covered in white sauce, and as I took a small forkful, I heard the sounds of gagging.
My eyes flew up.
Lady Rosamund was gagging, and Phillipe was spitting.
Jarrod spat out a mouthful of salmon and jumped to his feet. “What in the name of the gods . . .?”
“What?” Sebastian asked in alarm. “What is it?”
Quickly scraping off the white sauce, I took a sniff at my salmon and nearly choked from the smell. “No one eat the fish!” I cried. “Put down your forks.”
Rolf, Kai, and Allemond all dropped their forks. Kai and Rolf appeared distressed, but Allemond’s eyes glowed with delight. This was exactly what he’d been hoping for. Rosamund and Phillipe both continued to gag or choke. Rosamund was turning greenish, and I feared she’d swallowed an entire bite.
“Betty!” I called. “Help me.”