“Not in dealing with you.”
It was something, for him to admit that. But it did not placate the deep resentment she was feeling at the moment.
He spoke again, softly. “You do not hate me, Kristen. You are angry with me, but you do not hate me. Admit it.”
It was true. She still didn’t hate him. She wished she did, but she didn’t. Still, she kept her lips sealed.
“Then if you will not say so, show me,” he said in a whisper as he bent to kiss her.
Kristen wished it otherwise, but she did show him.
Chapter Twenty-nine
New guests arrived at Wyndhurst. Lord Averill came to see the King. He brought with him his only son, Wilburt, and his three daughters.
Kristen would have paid scant attention to these newcomers, except that one of them was the Lady Corliss of Raedwood, and Edrea, working beside her, was quick to point it out. Kristen might have guessed for herself from Darrelle’s elaborate efforts to make the lady welcome.
So this was Royce’s betrothed. Kristen was not surprised that Corliss was incredibly beautiful, but actually seeing that she was made her miserable. Corliss was small, delicate, and graceful, everything that Kristen was not. And she had thought to win Royce away from this tiny woman? God’s bones, she was more the fool than she knew!
Kristen could be thankful for only one thing: that Royce was not present to greet his betrothed. It would have been more than she could bear to see him bestow on this woman all the tender care and gallantry she longed for herself, without having time to prepare for it first. As it was, she had to watch the deferential way Corliss was treated by Darrelle, by the servants, and by Alden, who came in later.
It was disgusting, really, but so typical. Even if the lady was not liked, she would be handled with care, for she would soon be Lady of Wyndhurst, supplanting Darrelle, who now enjoyed that position as Royce’s only female relative.
There was one among the household, however, who did not try to curry the lady’s favor. Meghan. Of course the child could not be expected to understand that the woman would one day have complete charge of her, that it would behoove her to be nice to Corliss now. But Kristen silently applauded when she saw Meghan shake her head at Corliss when the lady bade her come near. And then the child actually made a face at the lady before leaving the women’s area.
Kristen nearly laughed aloud, but suppressed the urge, not wanting the servants to wonder what she found amusing. She knew Darrelle would have called Meghan back and chastised her if she had seen what she did. Corliss now wore a tight-lipped look of displeasure, but she did not call Meghan back, either. Kristen would have been unable to stop the laughter, though, if she had noticed that Alden saw the interaction too and turned about to hide his own humor.
Kristen was surprised a few moments later to feel a tug on her skirt. She glanced around to see that Meghan had worked her way around the hall to come up behind her. The child wouldn’t look up at her, though.
“Are—are you still angry with me?”
Kristen frowned, wondering what prompted such a question. “Why would I be angry with you, little one?”
“I told my brother what you said to me before, but Alden said ’twas secrets I revealed.” Meghan peeked up at her. “I did not know, truly.”
“And you thought I would be angry?”
“You were,” Meghan said. “I saw you the next day and you were very angry.”
Kristen smiled, remembering. “But not at you, sweetling. What you told your brother about me made no difference.” That was a lie, for it was what led him to first make love to her, but Kristen could not in truth regret that happening.
Meghan gave a look of self-disgust. “Then I hid from you for naught.”
Kristen chuckled, bringing Eda’s attention to them. “What do you here, child?” the old woman demanded.
“Talking,” Meghan retorted defiantly.
Eda gave Kristen a stern look. “You have work to do, wench.”
“And I am doing it.”
“Can I help?” Meghan asked.
Hearing that, Eda shook her head and went back to her own tasks. Kristen did not know what to say to Meghan, who was waiting for her reply, and looking hopeful. She glanced at the group of women at the far end of the hall, then back at Meghan. She sighed.
“Should you be here, Meghan?”
Meghan looked toward the ladies, too, then said stubbornly, “I would rather be here than over there.”
