Janie helped Brenna with her hair, twining thick braids interlaced with red ribbon about her head for a becoming effect. She was not at all jealous of the fact that Brenna would be a guest at Anselm’s house, but was quite excited for her and chatted aimlessly about her good fortune.
Brenna did not feel that way, and became even more apprehensive when Garrick called for her. She met him in the hall, and was stunned by his appearance. He was dressed also in velvet, the fine, gold material molded to his muscles like a second skin. Red thread contrasted with the gold, and large rubies studded not only his belt, but also a gold medallion around his neck. She wondered if he had planned it this way, that they should look like a matched pair.
His wavy hair glistened gold in the firelight, but his eyes were cloudy when she noted him staring oddly at her.
“You are a jewel in a black sea, mistress,” Garrick said softly, coming toward her.
She felt herself blush at the way his eyes looked her over. “The gown is lovely,” was all she could manage to say.
“Yea, but ’twould not be as beautiful on another.”
Now she was thoroughly ill at ease. “’Tis not like you to play at flattery, Garrick.”
“I speak only truth,” he smiled. “There is much to me you have not yet seen.”
“I am beginning to learn that.”
All at once he was impatient. “Let us go. The feast has no doubt begun.”
She nodded and followed him through the cooking area to where their cloaks hung by the back door. But hers was not there. In its place was a beautiful cloak of ermine, with a wide hood. She stood still while he draped it over her shoulders, then carefully placed the hood over her hair.
She looked up at him, her brows raised questioningly. “Another gift?”
He grinned. “Aye. Rich apparel becomes you. You shall have more of it.”
“’Tis not like you to be generous either, Garrick. Why have you changed?”
“It suits me,” he replied with a shrug, and at last handed her the dagger he had promised her.
She stuck the jeweled weapon in her belt, then looked at him in exasperation. “God’s mercy! ’Twas better when you would brood and were predictable. I hate inconsistency!” she snapped, then stalked from the house, but not before she heard him chuckle at her sudden outburst.
A thick cloud of smoke from the cooking fires hung heavy in the hall, but Brenna preferred stinging eyes to the cold that they had just come from outside. She was still too chilled to give up her cloak, and it was just as well that she had that excuse, for as she looked about the room at the other women there, she saw that not one of them had a gown as rich as hers.
She blushed nearly crimson at the thought of their reaction to Garrick parading her before them. A mere slave adorned better than freewomen—it was unheard of. Brenna felt like Garrick’s pampered whore, and knew that all would come to the same conclusion.
These thoughts plagued Brenna, and she grew increasingly bitter. She said nothing when Garrick left her at one table while he went to greet his family. She sat stonily silent, fixing her gaze in her lap, knowing that many eyes were turned her way. She continued to brood, and was startled when Heloise joined her.
“Are you pleased with the gown, Brenna?”
Brenna met the kind eyes and began to relax. “Yea, I thank you.”
“Then come, let me have your cloak. I did not spend many hours on such a lovely gown to have you hide it.”
Brenna gave up the ermine cloak reluctantly, but found that she was not nearly so self-conscious with Heloise beside her. She was immensely grateful that the mistress of the house was taking the time to make her feel at ease.
“Yea, ’tis indeed lovely on you, child,” Heloise smiled.
“You are very kind.”
“Nay, I speak the truth. And I owe you my thanks, Brenna.”
“I have done nothing.”
Heloise glanced at Garrick standing with his father and some other men, then looked back at Brenna and placed a hand affectionately on her arm. “I have not seen my son so relaxed and actually in good humor for a very long time. For this I have you to thank.”
Brenna blushed once again. “Surely you are mistaken.”
“I think not. Oh, he did not want to fall prey to your charms and fought against it, but he has nonetheless. Have you not noticed the difference yourself?”
