The Brat Page 0,47

"Aye, Lord Reginald was saying something similar to me just this morning. In fact, that is why I wished to speak to you."

The king smiled. "Good, then we are in accord. I have agreed to forgo the celebrations we had planned and allow your party to leave early. Today, even." He paused and arched an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"

"Nay, sire," Balan replied.

"Nay. I did not think it would be. I know how you dislike court, Balan." He added, "And you most likely have a lot to put to rights at Gaynor to prepare for the winter."

"Aye, sire," Balan admitted.

Edward nodded. "I have not yet had the chance to say it, but I was sorry to hear of your father's death. He was a good man."

"Aye. Thank you, sire," Balan said softly. Edward nodded again. "Well, you may leave as soon as you are ready, without need to see me again before you go. Murie is, no doubt, already in her. .. er, your chamber, directing the servants in packing."

"Thank you, sire."

Edward acknowledged his words with a slight incline of his head. "You may go."

Murmuring a farewell, Balan bowed and backed away, then turned toward the door, only to pause as Edward called out.

"Take heed, Balan." He glanced to his aide and then back.

"Becker does not think it necessary that I tell you this, but Murie is not as weak as everyone thinks she is. That weeping and carrying on .. ." He smiled faintly. "She is very bad at it." Balan's mouth dropped open. He stared at his liege for several heartbeats, then asked, "You knew she was feigning all those tears?"

"Certainly," Edward said.

Balan nodded slowly. "And yet you never called her on it?" Edward shrugged. "It amused me. Besides, it kept the other girls from harassing her further, while preventing the need for myself to intervene and adding to their ire."

While Balan processed that, the king added, "The females tormented her horribly when Murie first got here. So badly, I think it would have twisted the mind of a lesser person, but she has handled it beautifully. Had she continued trying to stand up to them as she first did, they would simply have moved in for the kill. Instead, little Emilie advised her to weep loudly and annoyingly, and it worked."

"You knew Emilie was the one who advised her to do this?" Balan asked, amazed.

"My wife is not as oblivious as she likes to let people think," Edward replied solemnly. "And she has more affection for the girl than she lets on. She could not show it for fear of making things worse. While she could have forced the girls to behave while in her presence, she could not be with Murie all the time, and Murie is proud enough she would not tell, no matter what horrible things the others did out of the queen's presence." He allowed that to sink in, then grinned and added, "Besides, Osgoode is not the only one who can set servants to spying. There is nothing that goes on in court that I do not know about." He began to chuckle at Balan's alarmed expression, then added,

"Treat her well. You will soon realize that she is a blessing to you."

"I believe I already do, sire," Balan said quietly.

"Then we are satisfied. You may go."

Balan turned away, and this time managed to leave the room without being stopped. He was shaking his head with wonder as he rejoined Osgoode and Reginald.

"Well?" the two men asked as he paused before them in the waiting area.

"We leave at once," Balan said, leading them away from the others. He added wryly, "Well, as soon as we can get the women packed and ready."

"Was it very difficult to convince him?" Osgoode asked curiously as they headed back through the castle.

"Nay. Murie had already been to ask the same thing."

"What?" Osgoode glanced at him with surprise.

"Apparently, that was why she was there to see him. She was concerned about Emilie and thought that if we left, Emilie might. She had already asked and been granted permission to leave early."

Balan did not share all the other things he'd learned in that room. He felt it was not his place to do so. Someday he might tell Murie that her weeping and carrying on had never fooled the king and queen, but it was no one else's business.

"Well," Reginald said slowly. "Murie is quite fond of Emilie and not fond at all of court. I suppose I should