Page 60 of Lord of Misrule

“Huh? Why not?” asked Rook. “It is one of your favorite Christmas pleasures.”

Just the use of Rook’s word ‘pleasure’ made Tolin’s guilt toward Kit grow. He couldn’t stand this anymore. He needed to talk to her.” He stood up abruptly to go to the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” asked Rook. “We are not done with the meal yet.”

“Continue on without me,” said Tolin. “I have something I need to do.”

Tolin made his way from the dais and to the kitchen. His stomach was in a knot but he couldn’t avoid Kit any longer. He had to talk to her about what happened between them last night. He walked briskly with King at his side.

He stepped into the kitchen and all the servers stopped whatever they were doing.

“Continue,” he said with a wave of his hand, heading to the area where Kit always worked.

“King!” shouted Parker, running over and hugging the dog around the neck.

“Where is your mother, Parker?” Tolin scanned the room but didn’t see her.

“She’s not here. She went home.”

“What?” His eyes snapped back to the boy. “What home?”

“Kit went back to town, my lord,” said Oliver from a work table. Brenna was seated next to him and they were kneading dough. Brenna looked tired and uncomfortable.

“Oliver? Shouldn’t you be in the stables?” Tolin didn’t understand what was going on here.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I am taking a break to help with the baking, since things are behind in Kit’s absence. The bread needs to be prepared for the morning.”

“Why did she leave?” he asked, getting angry. “She didn’t ask my permission.”

“My lord, she told me that you lifted the sentence,” said Brenna. “Please, don’t punish my sister. She is only trying to help out our family.”

“Doing what?” he demanded to know.

“She is staying with her sister-by-marriage in town while she tries to secure a place for us live,” Brenna informed him.

“Is she going to return?” he asked, feeling his heart sink.

“I am not sure, my lord,” said Brenna. “She will probably be back after Twelfth Night to collect us and to take us to our new home. If she finds one.”

This was wrong. So wrong. Tolin couldn’t just stand by and let it happen. He needed to talk to Kit and he needed to do it right now.

Tolin spun on his heel and headed out of the kitchen, planning on taking a ride to town to find Kit and explain how he truly felt about her. He decided he cared more about her than winning any stupid game. He didn’t want her leaving. Especially since she had nowhere to go.

As he left, he bumped into Brother Ruford just outside the kitchen.

“Ah, Tolin, there you are. Just in time,” said the monk. “The mummers are here and want to start the entertainment, but are waiting for the lord of the castle to sit down first.”

“They can continue without me.” Tolin still planned on finding Kit.

“Nay, my lord, they can’t,” said the monk, as Emeric the steward joined them. “It is tradition that the lord of the castle start the festivities with a toast.”

“And don’t forget that all the ladies of the castle are waiting for a dance with you tonight,” Emeric reminded him. “They look forward to this once a year.”

“Is that tonight?” The last thing he wanted was to take another woman in his arms when the only one he wanted was Kit.

“My lord, my lord,” said Jarvis, pushing his way through the people in an urgent manner.

“What is it, squire?”