“Whatever is said between us remains confidential.” Calista pressed her palm against her chest, over her heart. “Surely you know that, my queen.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I’ve heard rumors…” I pressed a sigh up my throat. “I don’t believe them. How could I? I’ve seen portraits of Merrick’s father. He resembles him so much.”
“Oh, yes, he does.” Calista’s gaze fell to the floor.
“It would be sad if someone continued to spread such awful rumors, don’t you agree? It could unsettle the court and any hope for my…” I pressed my hand against my empty belly.
She jerked out a nod. “Most definitely. I completely agree. Rumors such as that should be stymied.”
“Please let me know if you hear anyone sharing such undignified tales. I want to pull them from the soil while the weeds are young.”
Calista turned back to the jewelry. “You can trust me in this, my queen.”
I hadn’t exactly given her an assignment yet, but if she was eager to prove herself, she might be the perfect person for this role.
“Any attempt on your part to assist me in protecting the crown would be exceedingly welcome.”
Her face smoothed, and her eyes took on a conniving slant. “I understand the assignment, my queen.”
“Just take care what you say.”
She clutched my forearm. “You can trust me.”
We’d see.
“Do you interact much with the high lords and ladies now?” Assuming they weren’t scorning my ladies.
“It’s funny, actually.” She turned back with a blood red stone necklace and matching dangle earrings in her hands.
“What is?”
She secured one earring to my lobe. “I thought they’d all slight us, butmosthaven’t. A few were expected, naturally. Those most lofty have remained so. But the rest…it’s as if we were born to these roles.”
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“Oh, because of the curse.”
I snapped my fingers around her wrist, holding her hand in place at my ear. “Tell me more about this curse.”
She stared forward blankly before a shudder went through her. “You can trust me in this, my queen. I’ll listen and inform you of anything I might hear regarding this delicate matter, and I’ll be subtle in that other regard. You have enough to worry about without stressing about…others trying to nudge your priorities in the wrong direction.”
“Exactly. I’m glad you feel you’re fitting in.”
“That’s the thing.” Her eyes dropped from mine again. “I don’t believe I do fit in.”
“Is this what you meant when you were saying things had been rough for you lately?”
She jerked out a nod. “My friends look at me oddly now. Whilemost of the high lords and ladies have accepted my new status, they hold themselves back. The man I…” Her eyes glistened with tears. “I shouldn’t share. It’s inappropriate on my part to even bring it up.”
“You can tell me anything. Please know that. What man are you talking about?” Lorant had told me that Calista was meeting with someone in one of the parlors.
“I’m afraid he’s decided I’m still not good enough for him even with my new high lady status.”
“What? I’ll slash his throat for you if you want.”
“Oh no. Please. No!” Fear flashed across her face. “Let it go. I have. I avoid him now.”
“I’m sorry, then. It’s wrong of him to scorn you.”
