Keira
“Well, that was certainly a bit of excitement,” Victor said, taking a final sip of his wine before setting it back down on the table. “My sister and her nerves.” He said this as if it were a private joke.
“Have you taken a stroll through the winter gardens yet?” Yvette spoke up.
“No, I haven’t had the chance.”
“We have a wonderful view of them from our rooms in the East Wing. Would you like to join us?”
“Of course,” Keira said, making sure to smile. In part, she accepted the offer to be polite, but more so gratefully acknowledging that Yvette was making some effort to welcome her.
“Lovely idea, darling,” Victor purred.
Yvette rested a hand on Victor’s elbow, and Keira followed them all the way out to the great hall, through the massive oaken doors, where a pair of young servants were inexplicably waiting with thick winter cloaks for them to wear over their dresses.
Keira was thankful for the gesture the moment the first winter wind blew against her skirts.
The garden was just around the side of the thick stone wall, past one of the towers, to where the East Wing flanked off from the rest of the keep.
It was composed of a paved stone trail, winding around snow dusted hedges, and a few impressive topiaries.
They were all in the shape of bears. The most eye catching was rearing back on its hind legs in the aggressive stance traditionally displayed on Northall’s banners.
“It is quite a sight, isn’t it?” Victor commented, gazing up at the towering shape.
“Life like,” Keira agreed.
Victor laughed, an abrupt amusement. “Yes the thing startled me on my first exploration of these pathways, but I’ve had ample time while the lord was away to tour these gardens countless times. I believe we are becoming quite companionable these days.”
“I know that Caspian- Lord Caspian regrets being away so long, but it was important,” Keira explained, feeling that he was fishing for some sort of apology.
Victor looked to her, more directly than he had all afternoon.
“There’s no need to explain such things to me.
I am in the unique position of understanding exactly the demands that come with land and title.
” He sighed and continued to stroll through the curving path.
“I find my time is rarely my own. The demands are constant, always more that is asked of me, more that needs to be done. The legacy of my house depends upon my ability to uphold it, not to mention those who depend on me for their livelihood and protection. It is not an easy position which your friend has found himself in, especially for one who was not groomed for the role.”
“Caspian cares a great deal about those he’s been titled to look after. He’s fair and brave and kind. He’ll be a great lord, even if he wasn’t born into it.”
Victor nodded obligingly. “I do not mean to speak ill of your friend, my host. But I cannot fail to notice that this world is not your own. Its demands are a stranger to you as they once were to him. Lord Caspian has done admirably, given his humble beginnings, but even so, he was wise to seek a union with an older, more established family.”
Keira opened her mouth to object, but closed it again. That was not her matter to broach. Instead, she set her eyes out on the smooth surface of a small, frozen pond.
“Priscilla grew up under the expectations of nobility. She can be a true partner to him, guide him through the politics, which it is clear he feels an outsider to. Not to mention the credibility their children will have, having two houses, and a respectable lineage to rely upon.”
She gritted her teeth in an effort not to make her irritation palpable throughout the entire garden. Was he trying to sell her on his sister to get her approval or to frighten her off?
“Do you suppose you will stay for the wedding?” Yvette asked.
Keira turned, unable to keep the venom from her tongue. “I wasn’t aware that the betrothal had been finalized.”
“Quite right,” Victor said without a beat. “It may take some time to make all the proper arrangements. I’m sure you’ll feel called to move on again before the big day.”
Keira’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t count on my departure in your calculations, Lord Redfield. I have no intention of going anywhere.”
Victor regarded her with a cooler inspection.
“I think I will head back inside,” Keira said.
He nodded. “Rest well,” Victor offered in parting.
She could feel both of them watching her as she made her way back into the keep.
Inside, the heat from the torches went to work warming her cheeks at once as one of the servants took her cloak.
She thanked him and made her way upstairs to her bedroom.
Her mind was practically swimming. It was clear enough that Victor and Priscilla were set on this marriage going through and certainly considered her a threat.
Whether they saw her as a disapproving friend or as competition, it was impossible to say.
Inside her room, Keira went straight for the window.
She unhooked the latch and opened it, shivering as an icy chill invaded the warmth.
Her fingers came to her lips as she let out a whistle.
Though the note was too high for her to hear, she could feel its vibrations spreading out far beyond the keep, into the woodlands beyond.
Keira shut the window to keep out the snow, but did not bolt it as she sat at the small table.
She hadn’t had the opportunity to write a letter to Grimlocke, not after taking a bath and then promptly falling asleep for a few hours only to wake in time to dress for dinner.
After leaving so abruptly, she wanted to take the chance to let them know she was well and where she’d ended up.
The letter was half done when a clicking sound against the glass invaded the silence. Keira stood and opened the window, only long enough for Thaddeus to perch on top of the bed’s canopy, shaking the winter from his feathers.
He waited there, warming his body by the fire until the letter was finished. She rolled and sealed the message with care before holding out her arm for the raven to perch.
“You’ll be taking this to Florian back at Grimlocke House,” Keira said as she fashioned the letter tight.
Being a familiar, Thaddeus was much faster, and more reliable, than a common messenger bird. He could fly for days on end without stopping, and had a natural sense of direction, especially when it came to finding his mistress.
Keira gave the bird a tender stroke over his soft feathers before she stood and carried him back to the window.
“Don’t be gone too long,” Keira said as she opened the pane. “I think I could use all the friends I can get here.”
He cawed once before taking flight from her arm. Keira watched him go, not bothering to shut the window as the winter breeze toyed with her hair.
“Aren’t you freezing?” Caspian’s voice startled her.
She turned, shutting the window behind her and bolting it.
“It’s not so bad,” she shrugged. “I’ve just come from the most delightful walk through the gardens with Lord Victor.”
His brows raised. “Oh, really?”
“Yes, I can see what you were talking about with this engagement business. That man is set on you marrying his sister and upholding his great bloodline, or whatever posh nonsense.”
Caspian smirked humorlessly. “I will take care of it, I promise. But it may take time. There is business that I need to attend to, especially with the Holly Festival so soon.”
“After that?” Keira proposed.
Caspian thought and then nodded. “As soon as the festival’s over. And until then, I will do my best not to encourage anything.”
Keira scoffed. “I think Priscilla has enough encouragement for the both of you.”
“Are you jealous?” he asked, seeming amused by the idea.
She knocked him on the arm lightly. “Of course I am. She’s all dainty and pretty… and her dress was…” Showy. “Not to mention that she’s a lady, and she knows about all this-” Keira waved a hand in emphasis. “and- I mean, how am I supposed to help you be a lord?”
Caspian stilled her with a soft touch on her cheek. “I don’t want her.” His black eyes studied her face, gleaming with sincerity. “I never wanted her, not over you.”
Keira sighed, not feeling entirely persuaded, but enough that she didn’t want to argue the point any further. Not when his eyes were gazing down at her lips like that, like he was already picturing their kiss.
The anticipation filled her as well, and Keira found herself closing the distance.