The Brat Page 0,26

suppose it does not really matter that you dreamed of no one. But eating that rotten meat was a waste, I guess."

"I do not recall that being part of the legend," Emilie spoke up, scowling. "I do not recall there being anything at all about someone you not marry."

"Aye, well, neither do I," Lauda agreed earnestly. "But then, I did not recall the mention of rotten meat at all yesterday, and you said you had some vague recollection of it. This lady seemed to know the belief well and seemed firm on that point. Anyway," she decided, waving the matter away, "it matters little, as Murie was not made ill, nor did she dream of anyone."

"Aye," Emilie said heavily, casting an anxious glance at Murie as they entered the castle. Then, with feigned cheer she said,

"Oh, look, here we are back inside. You must come up to my room with me, Murie. I have a gift I meant to give you."

"Of course," Murie agreed, despite the fact that her friend had already given her a gift; it was obvious she wished them to speak alone. Either way, Murie was glad for the excuse to get away from Lauda and Malculinus Aldous. She needed to think about things. She was very confused. She'd dreamt of Balan and his passionate kiss and assumed the man was to be her husband, but then he'd made that comment about women being emotional and lacking sense.

Murmuring good-day to the brother and sister, Emilie drew Murie's arm through her own and led her toward the stairs. They ascended in silence, but Murie was aware of the concerned and curious glances Emilie kept casting her way. Finally, the woman said, "I gather the walk did not go well. Was the conversation stilted?"

"Would that it were," Murie muttered. "At first he would not speak at all. The man was silent as a stone. And when I confronted him on the matter, he explained that he did not often take the trouble to talk to women, as he found more often than not it was not worth his trouble. Women, it seems, are emotional creatures who are not gifted with the same strength and intelligence as men."

"What?" Emilie asked in amazement. "But we talked when he visited Reginald."

"Aye, well, mayhap you are the exception to the rule, then," Murie muttered.

They were both silent for a bit, and then Emilie said, "Nay. I do not believe it. You must have misunderstood him, Murie."

"I did not misunderstand," she assured her friend. Emilie shook her head. "Then he must have been teasing you." When Murie did not allow that to be possible, in fact, insisted it wasn't, Emilie went on, "I think you need to ignore all this superstition business, Murie. You have to ignore what Lauda said regarding dreaming about a man after eating rotten meat meaning you should not marry him. 'Tis all nonsense."

"If you thought it was nonsense, why did you introduce me to him after you learned I dreamt of him?" Murie asked.

"Because I know him, and the moment you mentioned him I realized that he would be a good husband to you. He is honorable and kind, and he too needs to marry. Gaynor needs a bride with enough wealth to help set it back to rights. The superstition had nothing to do with it." Emilie sighed. "Murie, you cannot base such an important decision on anything as whimsical as a superstition. You mentioned that you know none of the court's available men, but I do, and truly, Balan is one of the best. Perhaps the best. I think the two of you would suit each other beautifully, and you know I love you like a sister and would not lie about such a thing."

Murie let her breath out slowly and bit her lip, then confessed,

"I have challenged him to a duel."

"What?" Emilie turned on her in horror.

"Not with swords or anything," she explained quickly. "A duel of intelligence."

"Oh." Emilie relaxed and continued to walk, then asked uncertainly, "And what exactly does that consist of?"

"I am not sure," Murie admitted. "I have to come up with something."

"Hmmm ,. . Well, I suppose a duel of intelligence is all right. It gives you an excuse to meet again, and will give you both a chance to get to know each other better," Emilie said, nodding.

"Aye. It may even be a good thing. I shall help you come up with something, but please believe me, Murie, when I say