“I am honored to meet you, Lady Addington,” she said. “I must say… you have such beautiful eyes. Has anyone ever told you that?”
Addington grinned. “My parents have told me often enough,” she said. “But it is so much nicer coming from someone I have just met. Thank you very kindly, my lady. I am flattered.”
Lista smiled timidly, already sensing something kind from Addington de Velt. “It is true,” she said. “Your brother has similar eyes. Is it a family trait?”
Addington nodded. “We all have it in different ways,” she said. “My father had two-colored eyes, so we inherited it from him.”
“I see,” Lista said. “You are very fortunate. It makes your beauty most memorable.”
“That is very kind of you, thank you.”
With a final smile at Addington, Lista turned to Kellington. “My lady, I hope it will not be too much trouble, but I fear my mother was not thinking clearly when she accepted your invitation to sup,” she said quickly and quietly. “You see, we came to Berwick today for… medicines. My mother has not been feeling well and I fear these medicines will make her say or do something to embarrass herself. Mayhap we should visit another time when she is feeling better.”
Kellington looked over Lista’s shoulder where Meadow and Flora were dancing with each other next to the escort. It appeared quite strange, as it had from the beginning. The moment she’d encountered Meadow and her odd sister, something just seemed… off. As she watched, they suddenly scurried off down the street as a big knight began to walk after them.
“I’m sorry to hear that she is ill,” she said after a moment. “What is her ailment, if I may ask?”
Lista wanted to crawl into that hole she had once hoped would open up and swallow her. She didn’t want to spill too much of the family secret, but with her mother and aunt clearly under the influence of something, she didn’t see that she had too much choice.
But, God… it was embarrassing.
“My father died a few years ago and my brother was murdered shortly thereafter,” she said. “The grief of my brother’s demise has been too much for my mother to bear and she does… things to make her forget. Sometimes it is ale or wine, sometimes it is ingredients she purchases from the apothecary. She muddles her senses in such ways. Anything to forget her pain, so I am afraid today might not be a good day for her. Iwould hate to have her shame herself in front of you, or worse, make you angry.”
Kellington’s expression changed slightly. Her smile faded, but the warmth in her dark eyes was still there. Reaching out, she grasped Lista’s hand gently.
“I lost my husband a few years ago and my youngest son shortly thereafter,” she said softly. “Therefore, I understand your mother’s grief. I know it all too well. Please come tonight. I would very much like to see her and mayhap… mayhap I can help her.”
Lista wasn’t at all sure she should. Her gaze moved to Addington, who smiled encouragingly, before returning her focus to Kellington.
“If you are certain,” she murmured.
Kellington nodded firmly. “I am,” she said. “Bring her. Come and visit with us. And mayhap you and Addie can become friends in the process.”
Lista looked at Addington, who readily agreed. “I would like that,” she said. “Won’t you please come, Lady Lista? If you don’t, I shall be forced to converse with Julian and he is terrible at conversation.”
She only said it because Julian was closer to her than anyone else. She giggled, which made Lista giggle as she looked over at the enormous knight who had just put his helm back on.
“I am to save you from boredom, am I?” she asked.
If Julian heard them, he didn’t acknowledge it. He simply went about his business. But Addington nodded as she continued to giggle, suggesting to Lista that the situation wasn’t all that dire. It was clear that she was only jesting with her brother and Lista liked her spirit. She thought she might like to spend the evening conversing with a woman who didn’t eat dirt and burn herbs.
Throwing caution to the wind, Lista sighed heavily.
“Very well,” she said. “You have convinced me. But if my mother and aunt act strangely… thank you for making allowances.”
Kellington’s eyes were glimmering warmly. “We are quite understanding in such things,” she said. But then she glanced over to where the de la Mere escort had been, noticing that they had all gone in pursuit of Meadow and Flora. “But it seems as if you are all alone, my lady. Julian will escort you to find your mother.”
Before Lista could lodge a protest, Kellington was already turning to Julian and instructing him to escort her friend’s daughter to find her mother. Lista watched as the helmed head turned in the direction of his mother, his impossibly broad shoulders slumped in resignation, and he gathered his horse’s reins. No question, no protest.
Simply duty.
“But… truly, my lady,” Lista said, stammering slightly. “I am sure they are just around the corner. I can find them easily.”
Kellington wouldn’t hear of it. “Nonsense,” she said. “A young woman must have an escort. Julian will be happy to lend assistance.”
Lista had to bite her tongue because any further protest might make her sound ungrateful. She didn’t want to get into an argument with Lady de Velt when she was doing something kind and proper. Moreover, the way Julian had immediately complied with his mother told her that any refusal would be futile.
Like it or not, she had an escort.
