Graden glanced back at the bush. It was full of red roses. “She has an amazing ability to grow them.”
“They are everywhere. Before I left, it wasn’t this bad. Now, the damned weeds have taken over the castle!”
Graden knelt before the rose bush. “They are interesting flowers. I don’t know much about growing them, but see this one?” He pointed to a five petaled rose. “The five wounds of Christ.”
Miles peered over his shoulder. He raised his eyebrows. “That must be good luck.”
“Not all roses have five petals. Some have more.”
“You and Ella should get together. You can talk roses all day. Are we hunting?”
Graden nodded. He was going hunting, but only to search for the blue rose. Miles didn’t need to know that. He stared at the red rose for a long moment. “Have you ever seen any other colored roses?”
“You mean other than red?” He shrugged. “White.”
“Has Ella grown any roses that were not red?”
“I don’t know,” Miles answered. “You’d have to ask her.”
Graden scowled, thinking about their last meeting. He stood, dusting off his leggings.
Miles laughed. “You’re not afraid of her, are you?”
Graden chuckled, but it was hardly convincing. “Afraid, no. But I can’t help noticing she has no fondness for me.”
Miles threw an arm about Graden’s shoulders. “Give her time, old boy. She’ll come to see you as I do.”
Unfortunately, Graden had a feeling he was running out of time.
Ella was speaking to the cook about the evening meal. When they had settled on duck, the cook left to prepare. Ella turned to look out a window into the inner ward below. It was lively with villagers and workers moving about. Her gaze shifted to the outer ward.
Beneath the morning sun, two horses charged toward the outer gatehouse, kicking up dust in their wake as they left the castle. She recognized her brother and beside him, Dumount. His dark hair blew in the wind. She couldn’t help but notice that his command of his horse was impeccable. They must be going hunting.
Miles had always liked to hunt with Edwin. Now, Dumount was taking his place. The thought angered her. It should be Edwin hunting with Miles, not the man who had killed him. She longed to know the secret Graden was keeping and she was certain the witch that lived on the borders of his lands had the key. It was perfect timing. She headed for the stables. She had to speak to the witch. Only she knew the entire truth. And if Ella could discover the truth, perhaps she would have what she needed to turn Miles against Dumount and have the murderer thrown out of her castle.
