“It went very well,” she said. “In fact, it was wonderful.”
Annalora kissed her daughter on the forehead, smoothing her hair as she sat down on the bench beside her. In fact, the woman couldn’t keep her hands off her daughter, touching her shoulder, her arm, her back, as if to reassure herself that her child was well and whole.
“Wonderful?” Annalora repeated. “In what way?”
Ellowyn shrugged, though there was a faint grin on her face. She glanced at her grandmother, sitting across the table from her. The Lady Gray Serroux de Nerra gazed steadily at her granddaughter.
“I am not entirely sure why Wynny’s trip was so wonderful,” she said. “She was about to tell me but we cannot get past the smile.”
Ellowyn lowered her head, grinning broadly. “It was a good trip,” she repeated, rather softly. “I returned with most of Papa’s men, and I also returned with the Duke of Exeter and his fine knights.”
That brought a reaction from Gray and Annalora. “The Duke of Exeter?” Annalora repeated. “I had no idea he had arrived with you. We must make all due preparations for his arrival.”
With that, she began snapping orders to the servants who had been milling about the great hall. Annalora sent them scurrying with her specific commands for food, drink, and fresh rushes. When half of the staff was in an uproar because ofthe arrival of the duke, Annalora returned her attention to her daughter.
“This is so exciting,” she said. “Rarely do we have such distinguished visitors.”
Gray, an elegant, sweet and wise woman in her seventieth year, watched her granddaughter’s face. She could see there was something more there, something thrilling and giddy, although she wasn’t sure what. Perhaps one of the knights in the duke’s corps had attracted her attention. Coming from a young woman who generally had no use for the suitors that had passed over their doorstep, it was certainly an event.
“Annalora,” Gray said in her sweet, soothing voice. “Perhaps you should seek Deston and find out how many men we can expect for the meal. We want to have enough for them to eat.”
Annalora nodded quickly. “Indeed,” she said as she stood up. “I shall find him right away.”
Ellowyn watched her mother go. “He was out in the ward last I saw of him.”
Annalora waved her off as she quit the great hall. When Ellowyn returned her attention to her grandmother, she could see that the woman was studying her intently.
“Now,” Gray said softly. “Why are you so giddy, young woman? Tell me the truth.”
Ellowyn couldn’t help the smile on her face. She stood up and went to the other side of the table where her grandmother sat, and she planted herself next to the woman. Gray put her arms around her, hugging her.
“You will not believe me,” Ellowyn said, her head on her grandmother’s shoulder.
Gray smiled. “Tell me and I shall believe you, I promise. Who has put this smile on your face, Wynny?”
Ellowyn giggled. She never giggled. “The duke,” she whispered.
Gray couldn’t help it, her eyebrows lifted with surprise. “Theduke?”
“Aye.”
Gray released her granddaughter and looked the woman in the eye. “De Russe?”
Ellowyn nodded, somewhat hesitantly because her grandmother seemed off-guard and she wasn’t sure why. “Aye,” she said again. “I am not entirely sure how it happened, but we went from hating one another to being rather fond of each other. He is going to speak to my father about marrying me.”
Gray just stared at her. Then, her amber eyes took on a marvelous glimmer. “He wants to marry you?” she gasped. “Wynny, that… that is wonderful, sweetheart, truly.”
Ellowyn was beaming from ear to ear. “He is not like anyone I have ever met,” she said. “He was rude when we first met, that was true, but as we came to know each other, he is chivalrous and thoughtful and kind. But life has not been good to him. He was raised by nuns, his mother did not care about him at all, and then he was forced to marry a woman he hated. Is that not terrible?”
Gray was listening with some surprise. She had never seen her mature and level-headed granddaughter so passionate. It was astonishing but thrilling nonetheless.
“Horrible,” she agreed. “But it is not unusual. Families such as ours are rare.”
Ellowyn nodded, averting her gaze and picking at her nails. “I realize that,” she said. “I suppose it has made me very thankful for my family and the way we are. I have told you this before, Grandmother. I know how you and Grandfather were with each other and I have always hoped for that, too. Perhaps… perhaps I see the same qualities Grandfather had in the duke. I realize I have not known him very long, but I have such feelings when Ilook at him. He is a good man in spite of his reputation. I know it.”
“Of course he is,” Gray agreed, listening to Annalora’s loud voice as the woman came through the keep entry. “But until the duke speaks with your father, perhaps you should keep this to yourself. The last thing you want is your mother running to the man and….”
Ellowyn knew exactly what she meant. She knew how aggressive, though well-meaning, her mother could be. The woman’s voice was growing louder as she bossed the servants around.
