“I do not know,” he said. “They were acting strangely in town today, as well. If I did not know better, I would say they were drunk.”
Corisande de Bourne de Velt looked over at the women in question. The great hall was packed with people on this cold, wet night, so it was standing room only on the fringes of the room. But over in one corner, Lady Felkington and her sister were entertaining a group of soldiers with elaborate stories and loud songs. The louder they’d sing, the more the men would laugh and cheer. Copious amounts of wine were being poured into their cups, which they would drain quickly. It had been going on since their arrival.
Corisande wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
“Where is the third woman?” she asked. “Lady Felkington’s daughter?”
Cole delved into the pork and beans in his trencher. “Apparently, she was soaking wet when she arrived, havinggiven her mother her cloak,” he said. “Addie is taking care of her.”
“Is she a drunkard, too?”
Cole shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “She seems bright and articulate. She nearly came to blows with Julian because one of the soldiers shoved her mother.”
Corisande looked at him in surprise. “One of the soldiers shoved her mother?” she asked, bordering on outrage. “Was he sufficiently punished?”
Cole put up a hand to ease her, fighting off a grin. “Julian dealt with the man but not before Lady Felkington’s daughter dealt with Julian,” he said. “I assure you, it was simply a misunderstanding.”
Corisande eyed him. “She had every right to be angry if her mother was pushed, Cole,” she said. “Your mother was there, was she not? I will ask her what she knows.”
That was usual in the de Velt household. Sometimes, it wasn’t sufficient what Cole knew. Corisande often went to Kellington for advice and information, and the two of them occasionally colluded for the greater good of the family. Cole, like everyone, just went along with it. He didn’t really mind, however. He loved his wife more than words could express, just as he loved his mother, and he trusted them both implicitly.
It wasn’t as if he could put up a fight, anyway.
“Whereismy mother?” he asked, mouth full.
“With the children,” Corisande said. “She is giving me a few moments of respite from that gang of unruly animals you like to call your children.”
Cole grinned. “Atlas and Ajax arenotanimals,” he said, referring to his two oldest sons. “They are cunning and bright. Ophelia is an angel, but I suppose Silas is a bit like an animal. He has too much of my father in him, even at two years of age.”
“And the baby?”
Cole leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Vivienne is as beautiful as you are,” he said sweetly. “You have given me the most beautiful and brilliant children. I have no complaints.”
Corisande fought off a smile. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“It has gotten me five children.”
Corisande started to laugh. “I suppose it has,” she said, but then her smile suddenly faded and she began to look around the room. “Where did your mother’s guests go?”
Cole looked over to the corner where he’d last see Lady Felkington and Lady d’Orbec. They were gone and the men who had been clustered around them had vanished.
He shook his head.
“I do not know,” he said. “Mayhap to their chamber for the evening?”
Corisande continued to search the room for the missing guests. Unlike her husband, something told her they had not retired for the evening.
It was just a feeling she had.
“I found LadyLista,” Addington said. “She is in my chamber changing out of that damp dress she was wearing. It is starting to smell, so I have ordered a bath for her.”
Julian was in the chamber he shared with Ashton. He hadn’t gone into the great hall after his conversation with Lista, instead choosing to eat in his chamber and retire early. He saw no reason to go into the great hall at this point.
He just wanted this evening to be over with.
“So you convinced her to stay?” he said. “That is good of you.”
“I want you to come to the hall, too.”
