“Nofamily at all?”
“A brother,” she admitted.
“And where is he?”
“I don’t know.” Also true. “He could be anywhere.”
“He does notcare for you?”
“He is ambitious, milady.”
Caris’s eyes narrowed and her mouth turned up in a hammock of folds. “That is the way with men, is it not?” She reached out again and stroked Beryl’s cheek with a forefinger. “They leave us to our own devices. Only returning when they have made a great mess of something and require our assistance.”
Beryl felt her own mouth curve. “They underestimate us whenit suits them.”
Lady Hargrave’s smile widened with pleased surprise. “Just so. And you are a bit older now, to know so much better after your ordeal.” Her hand fell away to tuck itself between her waist and the plush bedclothes, embracing her own thin form. “I shall sleep here tonight, Beryl. I think it fitting. Will you stay with me? Please say you will. It is an unfair request after all you have done, but…”
“Of course,” Beryl interrupted, and moved closer to the woman, as if she were a magnet and Beryl composed of ore. “Of course I will, milady. I would not leave you so alone on a night such as this.” She reached over and drew the coverlet up from behind Lady Hargrave and tucked it around her. “Rest easy,” Beryl insisted. “I willbe right here.”
The lady gave a series of dainty although forceful sneezes asBeryl withdrew.
“Oh dear,” she said with a sniff. “Have you by chance been in the unfortunate company ofacat, Beryl?”
Beryl hesitated only the briefest moment, her heart pounding. “Nay, milady, I—” She swallowed the lie. “Oh, yes! Yes, I have. When I was in the kitchen preparing the tray. Looking for an easy supper, I suppose. I removed it forthwith.” True.
The lady wore an expression of relief. “The next time you see it, do have it killed. Dreadful creatures. I cannot abide them. The asthma, it is brought on by the horrid things. I nearly died once. You’ve probably heard.”
“I have, milady.” Unfortunately, true.
Lady Hargrave’s solemn countenance was luminous in the candlelight, her pupils enlarged so that all the iris appeared black. “I want to tellyou a secret—”
The hinges of the door squealed as it opened with a whoosh of air, causing the fifteen candle flames to duck and then dance in indignation. Nothing so loud, so sudden, ever went on inside this sacred chamber, with its thick draperies and carpets.
Beryl’s eyes went wide, and she looked over her shoulder to see Darlyrede’s steward step into the chamber, his hand still onthe door latch.
“How dare you,” Lady Hargrave whispered, pushing her slight form up onto one hip, the coverlet Beryl had so carefully tucked sliding away.
“Forgive me the intrusion, Lady Hargrave,” Rolf rushed, one palm held toward her beseechingly. “Forgive me. We have a visitor.”
“A visitor?” the lady hissed. “A visitor? Why would I ca—”
“A man claiming right to Darlyrede House, my lady,” Rolf interrupted, and it was only then that Beryl could make out the sheen of sweat glistening on the usually collected servant’s forehead. “He is demanding entrance.”
“Well, turn him away and be done with it,” Caris sputtered. “I have had enough of these tales of errant heirs. Is Lord Hargrave notin attendance?”
“He is, my lady.”
“Well?”
Rolf’s face was expressionless, but Beryl could see the distress just under the man’s pale skin. “The watchman has spotted an army riding behind him, my lady. His lordship has suggested that perhaps you would prefer to remain within the safety of your own chamber. With thebolts thrown.”
Beryl couldn’t help her gasp. “An army riding on Darlyrede?” She turned her gaze to thelady once more.
But rather than showing frightened dismay, Caris Hargrave’s chest heaved—the high neck of her dressing gown gaping around her spindly throat, emphasizing the anatomy of her windpipe and tendons. “I would not prefer,” she said through her clenched teeth. “Beryl, go below in my stead. Find out who this person is, and if we are truly to belaid siege to.”
“Of course, my lady,” Beryl said, scrambling from the bed.
“And take him with you,” Caris added bitterly. “It is well known that there are to be no men in Lady Euphemia’schamber. Rolf?”
