The Consolation Prize (Brides of Karadok #3) - Alice Coldbreath Page 0,96

faithful companion you can be, then—,” she started, but he did not let her finish, snatching her up to kiss her lips soundly.

When he released her, there was a faint frown on his brow. “Friend and companion?” he echoed with some displeasure. I’m your husband, Una. Make no mistake about that.”

“I-I could not mistake the fact,” she assured him breathlessly, and he pinched her chin.

“Good, now let’s get home.”

*

Una woke late the next morning and found Armand had already risen. When she descended to the great hall, Janet told her he was with some new hands outside. “Peter told me they’re a right bunch,“ the garrulous maid confided. “He says—”

But Una was not to learn Peter’s opinion on the new recruits, for the housekeeper came in at that point and pinned Janet with an accusing look.

“If you’ll excuse me, milady,” Janet said hastily, dropping a curtsey and scurrying off. Una eyed the housekeeper with some exasperation. She could not warm to the woman, who seemed to have as much personality as a chair.

“Have you seen my dog, Abelard, this morning, Mrs. Brickenden?”

“Yes, milady,” the older woman answered repressively. “It was following that Rose about earlier. Now if you will excuse me, milady. I have much to do this morn.” She made a hasty retreat.

It was not Armand but Otho who Una came across next. He hurried into the great hall with a hunted look on his face. “Otho?” she addressed him, and when he wheeled about with a start, she gazed at him in some surprise. “What is it, brother?”

“Oh, nothing,” he said hurriedly. “I thought you were someone else.”

“Who?” she asked curiously.

He cleared his throat. “Rose.” Una glanced at his flushed face and bit her lip. “She keeps jumping out at me from around corners,” he complained. “Asking if she can fetch me anything.”

“No doubt she wishes to repay you for the kindness you did her yesterday, in repelling an unwanted suitor.”

Otho looked harassed. “That was not what I was doing! She should be focused on her work, not on dalliances!” A light step was heard in the distance and Otho took to his heels.

Una watched him disappear around the corner, as Rose came blithely into the room.

“Good morning, milady,” Rose sang out with a beatific smile. Abelard trotted from her side to greet his mistress.

“Good morning, good morning.” Una stroked his sleek little head. These days he was starting to look a lot more presentable as his coat was starting to grow back in and his ribs recede as he put on weight.

“’Tis a lovely day,” Rose told her earnestly. “The orchard’s in full blossom. You must take a scented walk down there while it is so pretty, milady. There is nothing like it.”

“You look in full bloom today, Rose,” Una told her truthfully.

Rose beamed back at her. “I don’t know why, but I feel as full of joy as a spring lamb,” she admitted. Una thought she might know why and marveled at it. In truth, she had never seen a lovelier girl than Rose, and though she highly esteemed Otho, not even the fondest sister could think him handsome with his blunt features and savagely shorn head. Then again, she reflected, her own meager physical attractions were no match for Armand’s. Rose drifted off again in the direction of the kitchen.

Una felt restless and though she knew she ought to schedule a long-overdue meeting with Mrs. Brickenden to talk over household matters, she found herself shying away from the task. Maybe it was the fault of the balmy weather, she thought distractedly. Then she remembered Armand’s words about wanting another outfit and headed back upstairs, determined that she would spend the morning sewing instead.

She had been interested last night to see that the crest of the De Bussells was a white winged horse on a field of dark blue. She dimly remembered Armand’s shield had borne such a device at the May Day tournament, but she had not seen it since that day. Certainly, it was not displayed anywhere at Lynwode. Of course, he had inherited the place from his godfather, who was not a De Bussell, so that was hardly surprising.

Perhaps she ought to sew a banner to hang from the minstrel’s gallery in the great hall, she pondered, as she looked over her remaining stash of fabric. She had not been able to bring all of it from the palace, but she had a good quantity of blue she thought might be the right