Chapter 5 #2
She always had been in tune with animals.
She even saw auras about them and could sympathize with the word pictures they sent her about their past lives.
Satan’s former master had been very brutal and unkind, to man and beast alike.
Griffith stumbled across him beating Satan one day and thrashed the man thoroughly before buying the horse from him.
Satan was eternally grateful Griffith interrupted that day and tried his hardest to be of good service to his master.
He did sometimes throw little tantrums, mostly as a test to see if Griffith really loved him. Griffith did, for he never struck the horse, only gave him a quick tongue lashing when Satan proved to be slightly ornery. Satan loved Griffith very much and would do anything for his master.
Griffith relaxed behind her somewhat. “I do spoil the brute, I suppose. I found him in an intolerable situation and was glad I could remove him from it. He’s ever loyal and steadfast. I cannot imagine a horse as fine as my Satan.”
“I can see why,” Kallen remarked. “He’s very beautiful.
Although he is a bit uncomfortable to ride.
” She shifted around, wishing she could throw her leg over as Griffith had.
This must be how ladies sat upon a horse, she guessed.
Kallen already wished minutes into it that the long ride to Mangeron was behind them.
“I wish ‘twere over, as well, my lady.”
Not again. Kallen sighed. She had a bad habit of voicing her private thoughts aloud.
Now that she would be in mixed company, she must be more aware of her loose lips.
It was one thing to speak aloud when alone at the convent; it would be entirely different to utter her opinions aloud among strangers.
“Have you pets, my lord?” she asked abruptly, hoping to change the subject.
Griffith answered, “None. Did you leave any behind?”
“Not really,” she replied. “I’ve kept mice and rabbits over the years. I longed for a dog or cat, but Mother Superior would never grant my request. You don’t suppose there are any of those at Mangeron, do you?”
“Why, in abundance. Crispin loves dogs. For now, they are his children, and he spoils every one of them rotten. His wife, my sister Deva, is with child, though. I fear the dogs won’t have run of the castle for long.
As for cats, there are many out in the stables.
I’m sure if you wish to befriend one and have it brought into Mangeron proper, Crispin will allow it. He wants you to be happy.”
Kallen mulled over that thought before she spoke. “Why does he wish me to be happy?”
Surprise shone on her escort’s face. “You are a niece to him, my lady. Your mother Bevia was his older sister. She cared for Crispin and played with him when they were children. He missed her a great deal once she was gone.”
Kallen stared into the nobleman’s eyes. “But why would he care about me? He doesn’t know me. He has never seen me.”
“You are family, Lady Kallen. Crispin would do anything for you. He regrets not knowing you existed and is eager to reunite you with your family. Deva, too, longs for a sister. We have none, only each other. Deva always wished I were a sister and not a pesky older brother. Lady Alita, your grandmother, has been in poor health of late, but the simple news of your return to Mangeron has her sprung from her sickbed and dancing upon air.”
She eyed him warily. “Surely, you jest?”
“Well, mayhap about the dancing part, but the lady is getting up and moving about some. They all are ready to welcome you with open arms.”
Kallen frowned. “But what if they don’t like me? What if I don’t like them? I can be difficult, you know. Very stubborn and sometimes argumentative. At least that’s what Mother always said. Savina simply implied ‘twas my inquisitiveness that led to my problems with Mother Superior.”
“Then I shall hope to make a lasting good impression upon you, Lady Kallen, for I would not want so stubborn a person as an enemy.”
A flock of birds flew overhead, jumbling Kallen’s thoughts.
She could read the minds of most animals, but a bevy of birds often threw her off-balance, all of them flying by at once.
She’d learned to filter out their mass thoughts and only hear a gentle buzz when they passed.
She hadn’t seen them coming, though, and so had been unprepared.
“What were you saying, Sir Griffith? I swear those birds made me lose track of our conversation.”
He laughed, an easy laugh that made her tingle in a funny way.
“You are most delightful, my lady. You speak bluntly and do not have the manner of most noblewomen in society.”
Kallen grimaced. “I was afraid of that. I grew up so isolated, I won’t be sure if I am breaking society’s rules with my frankness, for I have never mixed in it.
Mayhap you can give me a signal when I fall astray.
Scratch your head or blink your eyes rapidly.
Or you could tug on your earlobe or snap your fingers.
No, snapping might draw attention. Hmm. Now that could be a good thing, because attention would fall from me to you, but if you snapped often enough, there might be those that would figure out our game. Why don’t you—”
“Why don’t I let you be? You are charming as is. The de Mangerons will fall in love with you and do your bidding after having only known you a day.” His dark blue eyes twinkled at her as he added, “Or mayhap it will take two.”
Kallen smiled. She liked this Sir Griffith.
Even if his aura confused her to no end.