Authors: Barbara Ann Wright
The other courtiers introduced her to Baroness Jacintha, a slight, dark-haired woman in her late twenties, and then they began to chatter at such a pace that it was difficult to keep up. They’d fall silent when Baroness Jacintha spoke, and after she’d finished, they’d all talk at once as if they were clockwork toys powered by her voice. Starbride sipped from her delicate teacup and let the scene wash over her.
“Allusians are so
interesting
,” Baroness Jacintha said, momentarily quieting the courtier horde. They all inhaled to speak, but Baroness Jacintha opened her mouth again, and Starbride could almost hear the courtiers holding their breath. How many would pass out and die if she didn’t speak soon? “I acquired an
exquisite
fan last summer that the seller
assured
me was Allusian.” The courtiers breathed out and in again. “I simply
adore
your hair.”
“Thank you.”
The courtiers paused, waiting for Baroness Jacintha to speak again, but when she lifted her teacup to her lips, they talked over one another, talking
at
Starbride but rarely to her.
One of them called her Star, making her cringe. She gritted her teeth and bore it, fighting not to think of Katya breathing the familiar name into her ear. Baroness Jacintha made a little cry of protest, and everyone froze. She waved a finger at the offending courtier. “No, no, ladies, none of that. The shortening of an Allusian name is reserved for
intimates
.” She put on a fantastic smile. The rest of the horde tittered.
Starbride inclined her head. “Thank you, Baroness Jacintha.” She saw to the heart of the calculated slip-up. It shouted, “Speaking of
intimates
…” Well, she wouldn’t rise to the bait. Let them name Katya if they wanted to speak of her. She did wonder which of them had researched Allusia for the baroness, but in the end, it didn’t matter. She sipped her tea and listened. They talked about fashion; they talked about riding and tea and croquet. They talked about gifts they’d received from lovers they were considering. When she couldn’t stand talking of nothing anymore, Starbride asked Baroness Jacintha about herself.
“Me?” Baroness Jacintha placed a hand on the flounces of her bosom.
“The highland lakes are your home, correct? I hear it’s very beautiful.” They weren’t the only ones who could do a bit of research. Dawnmother had run to the library on feet made of wings.
For a moment, Baroness Jacintha’s expression turned wistful. “Yes, autumn is the best time, when the leaves begin to turn…” She shook her head at the glittering crowd around her. “Of course, one prefers court to trees.” The throng giggled and nodded. Starbride fought a frown. They hung on Baroness Jacintha’s every word, emulated her every gesture. What could a baroness be worried about? Their opinions? Hers seemed to matter so much more.
“How long have you been at court?” Starbride asked.
“Five years.” She lifted her chin and then leaned in close as if they were alone. “And with nearly as many lovers.”
The crowd erupted in giggles and girlish squeals. They covered their mouths like children. Starbride put on her best smile. According to the gossip Dawnmother had uncovered, Baroness Jacintha’s lovers numbered twice that many.
Maybe she could steer the subject to something she could at least stand. “Who are the best jewelers in town?”
They spent the next fifteen minutes or more informing her of various artists. This craftsman did his best, but his creations were simply
yesterday
, though one handsome lord with interesting prospects favored his creations. Some jewelers were old and established; others up and coming. It was an absolute
pity
that a few promising newcomers didn’t have much money and had a hard time keeping their businesses running, but one could always commission them if one needed a gift.
Starbride nodded until the very end, when one of them asked, “Do you need a gift for someone?”
The question hung heavy in the air. Baroness Jacintha put her teacup down to listen, and they all leaned in a little farther. Starbride almost laughed, a loud guffaw that would make them jump back. “No, I’m just curious.”
They sat back, disappointment radiating from their expressions. Baroness Jacintha seemed a little vexed, and Starbride wondered if she’d be invited for tea again. She didn’t think it likely. Ah well, that left more time for the library.
And more time for Katya, it seemed. After the tea party, Katya surprised Starbride an hour into her studies, proving she wasn’t above a rendezvous amidst stacks of old books. Starbride pulled away from her embrace after a long moment. “Just how many women have you kissed in this library?”
“You’re the first.”
“Well.” Starbride ran her fingers over Katya’s coat buttons, “now that you know your way around, maybe you’ll try reading the books, too.”
“Hmm. How about I leave the studying to you and just drop in from time to time.” Someone cleared his throat from the other side of the shelf just as Katya leaned in for another kiss.
“I should stick my signet ring around the corner,” Katya grumbled.
“Don’t be a bully, dear Princess.”
Katya kissed her gently. “I obey your every command, Miss Meringue. Unfortunately, I have to dash.”
Disappointment made her chest ache, but Starbride reminded herself that she also had work to do. “I’ll see you tomorrow after riding?”
“I’ll send you a note when I’m free, I promise.”
A riding party sounded so much better than tea. Starbride wore her Allusian outfit, and the courtiers exclaimed over it. She wondered if her clothing would start a new trend at court and fervently hoped so. Her mother couldn’t object then.
Viscount Lenvis had tanned skin, reminding Starbride a little of her people. His features were all Farradain, though, lacking the rounder face and higher cheekbones of an Allusian. He talked about his homeland with a relaxed air, so different from the baroness. “I live in Lucienne-by-the-Sea,” he said, “but don’t get me started about her. I could talk someone to death about the ocean, the sky, the bracing salt air…”
“Viscount Lenvis has one love,” Countess Nadia said, “and she is big and wet and miles away. He has no time for us poor human women.”
“Not true, Countess Nadia! How could I ignore such beauty as rides with me today?” He gestured toward them. The other courtiers were spread out, riding slowly over the rolling fields.
Countess Nadia inclined her head at the compliment and cast a glance at Starbride, quick and appraising. She then threw a calculating glance at the viscount that carried more than a little lust.
Starbride had a revelation. The countess was trying to charm the viscount out of his trousers—even though she had to be twenty years his senior—and she clearly wanted to see if Starbride had the same intention. Well, here was one woman who wasn’t taking rumors of Starbride and Katya for granted.
Still, Starbride would have to put Countess Nadia’s suspicions to bed somehow; she couldn’t risk making an enemy. After a quick glance at the countess’s jewelry, Starbride decided that the best way to reassure her was to make a stab at friendship.
When Viscount Lenvis rode forward to speak with another knot of people, Starbride grabbed the opportunity, gesturing to a ruby the size of a pinky nail that blazed on Countess Nadia’s finger. “I couldn’t help noticing your beautiful ring, Countess. My father taught me much about jewelry, but I’m afraid I don’t recognize the maker.”
“Thank you, child. Métrande himself made it.”
Starbride’s mouth went dry. “Spirits above! He made one of the queen’s crowns!”
The countess nodded, her eyes sparkling.
“The craftsmanship is amazing.”
“I was thinking the same thing about your necklace. Your father’s creation?”
Starbride touched the diamonds she had worn to the Courtiers Ball. Dawnmother had said that a countess deserved to see the best. “Yes. He always said he was lucky to have a daughter who loves jewelry as much as he does.”
Countess Nadia laughed, and Starbride knew she’d scored a point. They shared a passion. Countess Nadia lifted the large diamond resting on its chain just above her cleavage. “I do love my baubles. I’ve many more, if you’d like to see them sometime. Not by Métrande, of course, but I’ve a few pieces from his contemporaries and quite a few more from craftsmen of only slightly less caliber.” She leaned closer. “Including a string of Lanaster pearls.”
“I’d love to see your collection.” That was a social gathering she could get behind. “My father used to speak longingly of Lanaster pearls. If you don’t mind my asking, Countess, how did you come by an entire strand?”
She winked. “A naughty story for another time.” Viscount Lenvis rejoined them then, and Countess Nadia turned her attention fully on him.
Starbride couldn’t help but like her. Countess Nadia didn’t dig for details on Katya; her invitation seemed unmotivated by anything but mutual interest, and she’d even alluded to naughty stories. With an impish surety, Starbride knew just how to cement their friendship. The countess loved pretty baubles, and the viscount was the prettiest around.
“What have you two been talking about?” he asked.
“Countess Nadia’s exquisite jewelry,” Starbride replied, “especially the diamond around her neck.”
Viscount Lenvis was obligated to bend forward and investigate the necklace, giving Countess Nadia the opportunity to lean forward and present her cleavage from the best angle.
His eyes lit up as his glance wandered to the diamond and then below. “Very…very nice.”
“Thank you, Viscount,” Countess Nadia said. When he sat back in his saddle, she gave Starbride another wink.
“How did it go?” Dawnmother asked after Starbride returned to their room.
“Much better than yesterday. What else do I have today?”
Dawnmother scanned a list beside her. “That’s it. The rest of these are just courtier parties.”
“Ha! You’ve changed your tune. I thought you’d have me going to all of them.”
“After you’ve been out with nobles, you can’t settle for courtier functions.”
“Library, then.”
“Well, there is one invitation, but it’s for tonight.” She handed over a note.
An early evening?
it said.
If I go any longer without seeing you, I’ll lose my mind. K.
Starbride grinned and bit her lip. “Well, that still leaves time for a bit of study and a quick note to my friend in Newhope. I’ve got some interesting new laws for him.”
“And a letter for your mother?”
“Oh, I don’t think there’s that much time.”
“Star, you have to tell her.”
“You could write to her maid instead.”
“Oh yes, one always wants such news as ‘your daughter has become the princess’s lover’ to come from one’s maid.”
“Later, later.” Starbride grabbed her scroll and pencil. “I’m off to the library.”
“I’d better come with you. Once you start studying, you forget to keep one eye on the candle. I wouldn’t want you to miss your…early evening.”
Much later that night, as Starbride rested in Katya’s arms, she spoke about her day, and Katya succumbed to a fit of laughter when Starbride recounted the tale of Countess Nadia’s necklace. “If the viscount’s not in her bed right now, he’s dreaming of her breasts.”
“I hope so.”
“So, you made some friends?”
“One, I think.”
“Besides me, of course.”
Starbride tilted her head up to snatch a kiss. “Two, then, and no, I didn’t mention you. I know you’re dying of curiosity.”
“Just a little.”
“You’re none of their business.”
“Quite.”
“Did you learn anything from the captives?”
Katya paused before she said, “Crowe says their minds are blocked. They’re either pyradistés, or they’ve been heavily warded by a very good one.”
“What can you do?”
“I don’t know.”
Starbride focused on Katya’s face in the near darkness. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Katya bent slightly and kissed her. “It’s not you. I’ve just been thinking that, well, if you know everything that’s going on with the Order, I can’t…pretend that it doesn’t exist when I’m with you.”
“The people you have to pretend with are those who don’t know you at all, the courtiers and all the rest who only want what you can give them.” She propped herself up on her elbows. “If you have someone else to share your problems with, they’ll be easier to bear.”
“Are you sure you’re not Marla, paragon of wisdom?”
“I’ll never tell.”
Katya kissed her for a long moment, long enough for Starbride to hope the conversation might be over, but then Katya pulled back. “Do you want to be in the Order of Vestra? If you’re going to be so close to…everything going on, I think it’s best you learn how to defend yourself. You can train to be a pyradisté.”
Starbride blinked, left without words while she tried to think. “Me? In the Order?” The shop and the table sprang to mind, but there was also her second adventure, the manor house, when exhilaration had overcome her terror. If she had the tools to protect herself, she could put her fear to rest.