The Blight of Muirwood

Lia stared at him, understanding what Pareigis had done. In a small way, she had realized the lure as a child when learners wore jeweled chokers and then the wretcheds all mimicked them. It would not surprise her if the learners began wearing low-cut gowns like Pareigis did. Or practiced the dancing they had but learned the night before. It was new and exciting – and it was different than what their kingdom was used to. The curiosity of it would guarantee it would be passed on. Just the sort of thing a hetaera would do. That way her influence would continue to corrupt everything around her. Lia knew all this but was bound by her oaths not to tell Duerden. It would have to wait until he faced the maston test himself.

“Do you think?” Duerden asked, interrupting her thoughts. “Do you think she will come back? ”

Lia looked at him thoughtfully, unable to say what was in her heart. “I suppose she may,” she answered. “But I hope not. I do not like her.”

She left him to enjoy the tartarelle and snatched a wafer herself and started off on another errand when Sowe caught her wrist.

“Are you going on a walk?” Sowe asked timidly.

Lia nodded. The girl looked miserable. “Come with me,” she invited.

Sowe smiled gratefully and they left the overflowing kitchen. Lia had never seen Sowe so downcast. She seemed neck-deep in her feelings of loss, while Lia had spent as much time as she could keeping busy so she would not mope about Colvin being gone. Everytime she saw a shock of dark hair, her heart spasmed with recognition and then disappointment.

“It was so noisy in there,” Sowe murmured. “When the treats are all gone, it will be quiet again.”

“I am not fancying the treats this year,” Lia said. She squeezed Sowe’s hand as she used to. “You are sorry he is gone.”

She flinched. “Not so much for him being gone. But he whispered a promise in my ear and I have a feeling he will not be able to keep it. I know he probably will not be able to keep it, and so I am preparing myself for the disappointment and the hurt. Like you have had to bear.”

Lia gave her a sharp look, surprised.

“I am not blind, Lia. Did we not grow up together in the kitchen? You know all of my faults and I know all of yours. Our little habits that make us who we are. I sleep too deeply and you can hardly sleep at all. You adore treacle over everything else. Whenever Pasqua bakes the pumpkin loaves, you snitch and snitch and snitch. The Earl of…well…Colvin…he is gone and you wish he were back but you are not sure you can stand the pain of that thought.”

Just saying it like that made it hurt. Lia swung their arms, trying to stay cheerful. “At least Edmon kissed you goodbye. That was not a brotherly kiss.”

Sowe reddened but looked even more forlorn. “I wish he had not.”

Lia was surprised. “What – you would rather a kiss from Getman? I thought Pasqua would have chased him out with the broom for sure, but she was crying with joy and fit to burst.”

Sowe looked mortified. “No! Of course I would not want to kiss Getman. I shudder at it. Think on it, Lia. I will forever have that kiss in my memory. My husband, poor soul, whoever he will be, he must compete with that memory. It was perfect in every way. He has already stolen my heart but he is an earl, Lia. I cannot believe he will come back for me. He is always one for speaking without thinking first. For dramatic gestures without pondering the consequence. He is gone now. His feelings will cool. He will marry some woman who is the daughter of an earl or the like, and he will never come back.” She gripped Lia’s arm. “How can it happen any other way? Colvin may have spurned you, but he will keep his word. He does not say much, but you can rely on what he does say. Edmon speaks too much. I fear I cannot rely on his words as much as you can.”

As they walked, Lia found they were approaching the laundry. She had completely forgotten the errand the Aldermaston had set her on. Siara Healer and some attercorn to steep in warm broth. She was just about to tug Sowe towards the apothecary when she spied the Earl of Dieyre beneath the covered awning of the laundry. He was alone with Reome. She felt a prick of unease seeing him on the grounds. Had the Aldermaston given him permission?

“This way,” Lia murmured, tugging her slightly along.

Lia could not make out much of the conversation until they got closer. Dieyre spied them coming and his expression changed abruptly.

“I had too much cider last night, lass. You will forgive me if I am in a bit of fog still concerning my memory. If you said I promised you five marks a year, then it is five marks a year.” He rubbed his forehead and winced. “I could use you at my manor in…” he sighed, “in Lambeth. Yes, that would be the place. It is near Comoros. You are a wretched so you have not been there. I will advance you some wages for your travel.” He fished in his purse for some coins and pressed them into her hand. “I will warn my steward you are coming.”