In that moment, I loved him more than ever before. He wanted me to be a true part of his world.
A few days later, Jarrod began walking on his own. But this brought a different set of troubles. Now that he was healing, he reached a period of fresh mourning for Rolf.
At dinner one night, Kai asked, “Will we do anything to take revenge?”
I’d written to my father on the matter, but received no answer as of yet.
“Not openly,” Jarrod answered. “I don’t think we can.” He was dour that evening. “There’s a gathering in Partheney at the end of summer, and I’d hoped to bring Rolf, but now . . . now, we’ll have to wait.”
“What for what?” Sebastian asked.
Jarrod glanced at Kai, but said nothing. The mere motion of his eyes made me nervous. In his plans for the family’s future, did he think to replace Rolf with Kai as a political figure? I wasn’t sure Kai would agree.
The next day, a letter arrived for me. I hoped it was from my father—with an answer regarding actions being taken against Allemond Monvílle—but I didn’t recognize the handwriting. I broke the seal and read:
My Dear Megan,
While I’d only recently heard of your marriage, I just this week learned of the death of your new brother. I send my deepest condolences. Allemond Monvílle is devastated by the tragedy, and he is still uncertain how the dispute broke out between his men and the Volodanes’.
Please take this invitation in the spirit with which it is meant.
Lord Henri and I are having a house gathering the week after next. I know you are in mourning, but Volodane Hall might seem a lonely place right now for you, Kai, Lord Jarrod, and Sebastian. Please do come and join us if you feel you can be comforted by companionship.
With warm regards,
Violette Cornett
I read the letter several times. Clearly, even after Rolf’s death, the Cornetts believed the Volodane star might be on the rise. Violette was a friend of my parents, but she did not know me well enough to express such concern.
I wasn’t sure how to interpret the invitation or some of the implied subtext.
Finally, I took it to Jarrod.
He read it and looked up. “So Monvílle is passing off the attack as a mysterious ‘dispute’ breaking out amongst our guards . . . with Rolf somehow caught in the middle?”
“It would seem so.”
He shook his head angrily and read the note again. “How many nobles will attend this gathering?”
“Probably a good number.”
“Then we should accept. Kai needs to take his place among them, to become familiar with them. It’s a start.”
“And Sebastian too.”
His eyes were shifting back and forth as he thought. “Mmmmm? He can be useful at times, but he pleases himself and no one else. Most of the time, he’s no good to me.”
I thought this an unfair assessment of his now eldest son, but I said nothing.
“What if the Monvílles are there?” I asked.
“What of it?”
“Kai will attack Allemond on sight. You know he will.”
Jarrod frowned as if this had never occurred to him. “I’ll speak to him.”
Chapter 18
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 continued healing, but he walked slightly bent and ran out of breath quickly. I knew this both frustrated and worried him. What if he was never the same? I think he’d always taken his strength and health for granted. He 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 can’t arrive empty-handed.”
Finally, the day of our departure arrived.
The Cornetts’ estate was to the east of ours. We left in the morning with the expectation of arriving that same evening. Kai was unhappy at having been forced into this visit—thankfully, his ire was aimed at his father and not me—but his protests were more silent than verbal.
Sebastian relished the idea.
At my insistence, Jarrod rode up on the wagon’s bench beside the driver, but he didn’t argue much. I knew he’d never last the day on a horse.
Kai rode with the guards, and I rode beside Miriam, with Sebastian directly behind us. 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, Kai shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. He hated being put on display and forced to make small talk with nobles.
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. I’ll show you to your rooms.” She paused and looked to me. “Is it acceptable for you and Lord Kai to share?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
After this, we were shown to our various rooms where we changed into evening attire. Then we 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 clenched. I could only make guesses as why we’d been invited, and I had little idea what awaited us.
Tonight, I wore a red velvet gown and Helena’s diamond pendant.
As I entered the dining hall on Kai’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 said, kissing both my cheeks.
She was beautiful, tiny and pale with black hair.
Her warm welcome felt sincere. I almost believed Violette was glad to see me and that we’d been friends before tonight.
She turned to Jarrod. “Please accept our sympathies for your loss.”
He nodded as if unsure how to respond.
“I do hope you know you are among friends here,” she went on. “Lord Henri and I should have invited you to visit long before now. It took Megan’s marriage to your Kai to jog us into action, and I apologize.”
“You needn’t apologize,” Sebastian answered. “We’ve not invited you to visit us either.”
Taking in the sight of him, she smiled coyly and said, “Goodness, where have you been hiding?”
“As a tragic prisoner in our keep.” He smiled back.
I could see right away that those two were kindred spirits. She took his arm and led him into the room. We followed.
Holding Kai’s arm, I could feel his tension. 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.
I couldn’t help scanning the room to see everyone who’d been invited.
Lord Henri saw us and came over. He greeted Jarrod first and then turned to Kai. “So glad you’re here. Did you bring your sword?”
“Yes.”
These two actually seemed to know each other. As they fell into conversation, I decided to use the moment to slip over to Violette, where she was chatting away with Sebastian.