The Brat Page 0,6

that she did not command your marriage long ago." Murie didn't comment.

"So, whom are you to wed?" Emilie asked after a pause.

"Oh!" Murie laughed. "I forgot to tell you. That's the best part. The king said I could choose my own husband."

"Really?" Emilie sounded amazed.

"Aye," Murie said. "I was a bit surprised by that myself."

'You must really have carried on to get that out of him," her friend said with a soft chuckle.

"Aye. Well, I could hardly hurt his feelings by letting him know I actually desire to leave court."

Emilie just laughed harder. When she could speak again, she said, "If anyone knew how sweet you really are - "

"I would be torn to shreds by the court harpies," came Murie's quiet comment.

"Aye." Emilie sighed.

"I really must thank you for all your help, Emilie," Murie went on solemnly. 'Your advice has helped me survive my time here at court. I think I would have gone mad without it."

"Do not be silly," Emilie murmured. 'You would have done just fine."

"Nay! They would have come after me like wolves. Only your advice has prevented it. Every time one of them seemed to be going on the attack, I just thought of what you said and either burst into great wracking sobs, or acted like an enfant terrible, a shrew. It has worked very well. Everyone just leaves me alone now. Even the queen does, for fear she shall have to listen to endless weeping and screeching."

"Well," Emilie said helplessly. "It was the only thing I could think to suggest. You simply are not cruel and grasping enough for court life, my dear. I saw it at once. Trying to meet the others on their own footing would have been impossible for you. You needed a good defense that could be used as an offense when necessary. Using the king's affection and behaving as if you had let it go to your head - that was the best way."

"Aye," Murie murmured, then gave a laugh. "Actually, it has proven quite fun at times. Although, sometimes even I am appalled by my behavior."

Balan suddenly felt Osgoode grab his arm, but he ignored his cousin and locked his eyes on Murie's happy face. By moving a branch down just the slightest bit, he'd found it possible to see the women on the other side. Both were blonde and lovely. Lady Emilie he recognized, and she was in the final stages of pregnancy. She had married his friend Lord Reynard the summer before. Reynard was clearly lucky in his marriage. Balan knew and liked Emilie.

As he watched, Murie suddenly frowned and glanced at Emilie with concern. "You do not think my reputation as a brat will affect my chances of finding a good and kind husband, do you?"

"Oh no, I am sure 'twill be fine," Emilie said, but Balan couldn't help noticing that she was looking a bit worried herself. She patted Murie's hand where it lay on the bench. Forcing the expression away and managing a smile, she went on, "As beautiful as you are, and being the king's most beloved goddaughter, the men shall be lining up to offer for your hand." Murie blew out her breath. "I hope you are right."

"I know I am." Emilie patted her hand again and stood. "Come. Let us go to your room and consider the available men at court. We can make a list of them, and then find out which we think may suit you best."

Nodding, Murie stood to follow, only to pause as she spotted a pair of birds on a nearby branch. "Oh, look! Two male blackbirds, sitting together. That is supposed to be a good omen." Emilie turned to glance at the birds, then shook her head with amusement. She murmured, "You and your superstitions."

"Well, it is supposed to be a good omen," Murie said, sounding embarrassed. She followed the other woman from their bower.

"Did you hear that?" Osgoode asked with excitement the moment the women were out of sight.

"Did you hear that?"

Balan and Osgoode peered at each other at the repeated question, which hadn't come from either of them.

"Is there an echo?" Osgoode asked, but Balan shushed him as he realized that the words had come from the other side of the bushes. .. and that the speaker was already continuing.

"Oh, this is too rich!" the man went on.

Pulling the branch aside again, Balan and Osgoode put their heads together so both could peer through. Beyond, Malculinus and Lauda Aldous stepped out