The Brat Page 0,23

'tis," Osgoode agreed at once. "Very nice for summer. And yet not too cool either. I do hate when the cold winter winds arrive. So does Balan," he added informatively.

"Aye, winter is Murie's least favorite time. She likes this time of year, though she does think fall is lovely with all its colors," Emilie went on, then briefly fell silent and began to worry her lip. Suddenly she stopped, brightening as she said, "Balan, I was telling Murie about your sister, Juliana. She is ten, is she not?"

"Aye," Balan answered.

Emilie frowned when he said no more, then asked, "She is faring well, I hope?"

"Aye," Balan said, then grunted and turned to glare at Osgoode, who had elbowed him once more.

For his part, Osgoode glared right back. He leaned forward past Balan to the ladies and said, "Juliana is faring very well. She is missing her father, of course, but Balan is doing his best to fill the hole his passing left."

Balan arched an eyebrow at the bald-faced lie. Much to his distress, his father had blamed Juliana for her mother's death and had never forgiven her. He hadn't been cruel to the child, but had basically ignored her all her days, leaving her to the care of servants. The girl could hardly miss someone she'd never really known. There was no hole for Balan to fill.

The words had apparently touched Murie, however, for she smiled sweetly upon him and murmured, " 'Tis very kind of you, my lord. I am sure she appreciates your efforts. I know I should have been grateful to have had an older sibling to take over my care after my parents died."

"Aye," Emilie agreed. Leaning forward to look past the girl, she explained, "Murie was only ten when she was orphaned and brought to court."

Balan nodded, catching Osgoode's elbow when it jutted toward him again. Aware that the women had noticed it, he merely gave his cousin a warning glare before releasing him, and said,

"Careful, cousin. 'Tis slippery, and you might lose your footing." Osgoode's mouth twisted with displeasure. He said to the women, "That must have been difficult for you, Murie. Court is not the most clement of environments."

Murie looked uncomfortable, and it was Emilie who answered.

"It was very difficult for her. The other girls were jealous that the king made so much of her looks, and they were very cruel." Osgoode murmured a sound of sympathy and said, "Balan suffered something similar in his youth. We were sent to Lord Strathcliffe's to train, and Strathcliffe took a liking to Balan, showing him favor. Though it was no fault of his own, the other boys hated him for it. They were constantly picking fights." Balan scowled. While this was true, it had happened a long time ago, had made him a stronger fighter and better warrior, and was hardly worth mentioning now. Or so he thought until Murie squeezed his arm and gave him a shy, sympathetic smile. Hmmm.

"No doubt you have heard that the king decided it is time for Murie to marry and has given her leave to choose her own husband," Emilie said suddenly, drawing a horrified gasp from her friend. Ignoring Murie, Lady Reynard went on, "It is such a serious and difficult decision to make."

"Aye," Osgoode agreed. "Balan must marry as well, and he is finding it so."

Balan almost groaned aloud. The pair was embarrassingly obvious. He very much feared that, given more time, the two would be proposing for them soon. Fortunately, that didn't come to pass. Or perhaps unfortunately, he acknowledged as Malculinus and his sister, Lauda, stepped out onto the path. Judging by Lauda's flushed face and Malculinus's out-of-breath state, Balan would have guessed that the pair had run to get ahead of them to appear.

"Why, Lady Murie, Lady Emilie," Lauda greeted, smiling widely. "How fortuitous to meet up with the two of you here." Balan didn't miss the fact that he and Osgoode were completely ignored.

"Aye," Malculinus agreed, still gasping for breath. He really needed to start working out with his men, Balan thought with disgust. Some time working with the quintain or exercising his sword arm would put him in shape. But that wasn't likely to happen. He happened to know Malculinus's sire had been paying scutage for years to prevent his having to serve his military time. Which was probably a good thing, Balan decided, as the man caught his breath. In the shape he was in, Malculinus would be dropped in the