“That is none of your business,” he said, eyeing her. “But, if you must know, I like her very much.”
Addington gasped in delight. “I knew it,” she said. “I could tell. Will you ask to court her tonight? You must not wait, Julian. A delay could ruin everything.”
He waved a hand at her, trying to force her to back off a little. “In my own time,” he said. “And I swear if you push me or push her, I will spank you and I do not care if you tell Mother. Some things you must let me do on my own and this is one of them.”
“But…!”
He cut her off. “Nay, Addie,” he said firmly. “Let me do this myself. I do not want your help. Please.”
He was serious and Addington knew it. Sighing heavily, she nodded reluctantly, seeing Ashton grinning at her and patting the seat beside him. Pushing aside her stubborn brother, she went to sit next to Ashton, leaving Julian the least bit dazed at the swift turn of subject. He was still trying to process everything, but the conversation wasn’t over between them.
Not yet, at any rate.
“Where is Lista?” he said, turning to his sister.
Addington had already taken her seat next to Ashton as he poured her some wine. “She went to see to her mother and aunt,” she said. “She’ll be down directly.”
That meant he had a little time to prepare. Turning away from Addington and Ashton as they engaged in conversation, Julian lost himself to thoughts of a courtship with Lista de la Mere.
Truthfully, he was more than delighted at the prospect. That beautiful, smart, and sweet woman was interested in him. Inhim. Sometimes, Addington was annoying, but there were instances when she used that annoying trait for good. She did the hard work he should have done but, in this case, she was right– it probably would have taken him days or weeks or even months to work up the courage. He’d worked up his courage twice before in his life and had been slapped back for his efforts, so that kind of bravery didn’t come easily to him. Romantic intentions were the only conflicts he ran from.
But Addington had given him hope.
He’d never tell her that, though.
As Julian sat there and pondered his next move, Lista entered the great hall. The hall actually had two big entrances– one from the south, one from the north, and she entered from the southern side. The hall was full of de la Mere soldiers who had been drinking to Amaury since they’d entered, about one hundred of them filling up the room and filling up the chamber with their singing and praise for their dead captain.
It was a meal that had turned into a wake.
When they saw Lista, they cheered her loudly, as the daughter of their mistress, and she was polite as she made her way through the men who wanted to tell her how much they loved Amaury and how much they would miss them. As far as Julian knew, no one knew how the man had died, only that he had. It was probably best considering the cause of his death was their mistress’ sister. They probably would not have reacted well to that.
Julian watched Lista as she approached the dais. She was clad in a dark green, simple garment, avoiding the things that the ladies usually wore these days– kirtles and surcoats and other complicated vestments. Lista’s garment was one piece, or it seemed to be, for simplicity, but there was nothing simple the way it clung to her figure. She had a full figure of big breasts, a narrow waist, and flaring hips, something Julian found quite alluring. Very,veryalluring. He was still looking at her hips when she finally reached the table.
“Good eve,” she said. “I hope I did not keep you waiting too long.”
Embarrassed that he’d been caught looking at her body, Julian looked her in the face and smiled. “Of course not,” he said. “I’ve had Ash and Addie to keep me company, but I am thankful for your opportune arrival. Will your mother be joining us?”
The smile on Lista’s lips wavered. “Nay,” she said. “Travel does not agree with her, so she is… resting. I do not expect her to join us, though I have asked her to.”
Julian could never fault the woman for being perfectly truthful, even when the truth was less than pleasant. As the soldiers at one of the tables pulled out a citole and began to sing a song of tribute to Amaury, Lista sat down next to Julian.
“They’ve been mourning your knight since I arrived,” Julian said, pouring her a measure of wine himself. “It seems the man was well-liked.”
Lista looked over the group in the hall, all seasoned soldiers who lived a rather easy life at a peaceful castle. “He was,” she said. “I am sorry you did not come to know him a little. Amaury had been with Felkington since my father was a young man, so he was a legacy here. The place will not be the same without him.”
Julian watched her face as she spoke, the grief she was trying to conceal. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Had that damnable rail been in place, his death might not have happened. I know Cole feels quite badly about it.”
Lista shook her head. “It is not his fault,” she said. “I told him that. It wasnothis fault. It was my aunt’s fault for being such a… well, suffice it to say that it was not your brother’s fault at all. I do not hold him responsible.”
Julian knew she meant it, but he still felt guilty. “You are kind,” he said. “But know how sorry we are for it.”
Lista nodded, smiling timidly at him because it was a sensitive subject. “That is because you are men of honor,” she said. “I appreciate that. But let us speak no more of Amaury. I want to talk about you.”
“Me?”
Lista’s smile turned real. “You speak very little about yourself,” she said. “A little bird told me that you like books.”
He fought off a smile as he averted his gaze as if embarrassed. “Was this bird named Addie?”
