The Brat Page 0,19

her, wide-eyed for a moment, then allowed curiosity to draw her gaze to the man in question.

"Lord Gaynor," she murmured.

"Gaynor," Murie echoed, testing the name on her lips. It was a fine-sounding name. Strong and solid.The man looked strong and solid as well. "You must tell me everything," her friend demanded. From the beginning of the dream to the very end. I want to hear it all."

"She saw you."

"What are you talking about?" Balan asked, trying not to look guilty as his cousin claimed the seat beside him.

"Lady Murie. On my way around the hall, I passed by where she and Lady Reynard are seated, and I overheard her telling Lady Emilie that you were the man she dreamed of last night." Pausing, he arched one eyebrow and said, "Why did you not tell me she saw you?"

Balan shifted uncomfortably. "Because I was hoping she would not remember it when she woke."

That wasn't really a bold-faced lie. Part of him, the more honorable part, truly wished she'd forgotten. That part would rather win her hand more honorably. The other part, however, couldn't care less how he won her and really hadn't wanted her to forget him at all. It wanted her to remember, demand a fast marriage and have her greet him stripped naked in every private corner of this castle. Not that there were many private corners at court.

"Only you," Osgoode said with a shake of the head.

"I - ," Balan began irritably, but Osgoode interrupted.

"There is more. I was not the only one to hear. Lauda was loitering nearby. She appeared about to hail them, but paused when she heard what Lady Murie was saying. She got most agitated as she listened and then rushed around the room. I followed, of course."

"Of course," Balan said. His cousin loved this sort of thing.

"Aye, and she went straight to her brother."

"And?" Balan asked, knowing there would be more.

"And she is still there. See?" Osgoode gestured along the tables, and Balan followed his pointing finger to where Malculinus Aldous sat listening as his sister spoke most animatedly. She was obviously not at all happy, and when she gestured in his direction and both Aldouses glanced his way, Balan found his mouth splitting into a wide, sharklike smile, teeth bared.It wasn't that he was happy about all of this, but he thought it could only be a good thing if they realized he knew what they had been up to. Perhaps it would prevent their trying any further nonsense.

"I wonder if they will be able to sort out what happened," Osgoode said, watching the pair.

"Probably, or very close to," Balan murmured. The Aldouses turned away from him and huddled together, whispering furiously.

"They are plotting again."

"Aye," he agreed with irritation. So much for his having any sort of influence on them. "I wish I knew what they were saying."

"You will," Osgoode assured him. When Balan glanced over sharply, he shrugged and explained, "I sent my page to spy on them."

Turning back to the pair across the room, this time Balan noted the lad loitering nearby. He was sitting cross-legged in the rushes, playing with a dog. No one was paying any notice at all. Balan smiled slowly. "William is a good lad."

"Aye, he is. And he is excellent at such tasks. The boy will recall and recite every word to me when he gives his accounting." Balan nodded and turned his attention back to the bread and cheese before him.

"So ..." Osgoode prompted.

Balan glanced at him warily. "What?"

"After all those protestations of not stooping to his level, you not only let her see you, you kissed the girl."

Balan shifted uncomfortably. "I did not intend either outcome."

"But once she'd seen you, you thought you may as well go the whole journey and kiss her," Osgoode said, nodding with condescension.

"I kissed her because she woke up while I was trying to right her nightgown!"

"Ah." The word sounded understanding, but Osgoode's expression was less so. Biting his lip, the man asked, "And how did her gown come to need righting?"

"She is apparently a restless sleeper," Balan muttered, then glanced to the side to see his cousin making a face. "What the hell are you grinning about?"

"Well, it is not often I get to see you so uncomfortable," Osgoode pointed out with amusement. "And besides, we are saved. You have won the fair maid's hand. She sounded quite taken with you as she described her 'dream' to Lady Emilie."

"She was telling her about it?" he asked with