done.”
“And Anna,” Ackley reminded everyone. “We can’t forget about her and her personal agenda.”
“I think we need a break,” Leigh said. “After supper, we’ll revisit this. Hopefully, there will be some new ideas.”
Gordon rolled up the map. “Reid, I took this from your father’s office. I hope he won’t mind.”
“It’s yours to use.” She sat at the table.
“I’m going outside to start organizing the men,” he responded. “Once you and Idina are done writing those letters to the duchesses, I’ll have someone deliver them.”
“Is that your way of telling me to get the letters written?” she asked. She’d never written a formal letter before. However, with Idina’s help, she should be fine.
“The sooner, the better. It’ll take the duchesses some time to organize their soldiers and travel to the City of Buckley.”
“Is that where you want everyone to convene?”
“Yes,” he answered. “All the supplies we need are there.”
“I want to be there when they arrive.” Reid needed to speak to the duchesses to ensure they understood the importance of banning together.
“I suggest we split into two groups,” Idina said. “Half of us will go with the first wave of Ellington soldiers, the second half will wait until the rest show up and travel with the remaining ones.”
“Good idea,” Dexter said, hovering behind Reid. “Um…” When he cleared his throat, everyone turned to him. “I asked Reid to marry me.”
Idina smirked. “Yes, we are all aware you two are going to marry.”
“I mean now.”
“Now?” Idina asked, her voice incredulous.
“I want to marry Reid now,” Dexter reiterated.
Ackley chuckled.
Reid glared.
Leaning on the table, Ackley’s chuckle escalated into a full-on belly laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Reid demanded.
Shaking his head, Ackley went over to the cabinet off to the side. He pulled out a jug of her father’s alcohol, along with several cups.
Royce entered. “Harlan’s here. He said he was invited?”
Ackley waved him in. Harlan stepped around Royce, joining them in the great hall.
“You came just in time,” Ackley said. “We’re about to make a toast to Dexter and Reid.”
“I fear this is my doing,” Leigh said with a sigh. “I must have dropped him on his head when he was an infant.”
“Mother,” Ackley said. “My friend,” he handed Dexter a cup, “is eager to enter into marital relations with Reid.” He winked.
Reid plopped her head onto the table, hiding her face with her arms. Could Ackley be any more embarrassing?
“What?” Ackley said. “Stop looking at me like that. You all know it’s true.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you have to say it out loud,” Idina chided. “Regardless of the reason, I think it’s a wise move.”
“Come on, Reid,” Ackley goaded. “Head up. You agreed to it, so you must be equally eager to share his bed.”
She grabbed the cup someone had set in front of her, drained it in four gulps, then chucked it at Ackley. He ducked, the cup narrowly missing his head before banging against the wall and crashing to the floor.
Leigh clapped twice, effectively silencing everyone. “Ackley, leave Reid alone. Reid, go get out of your wet clothes—I’m cold just looking at you. Idina, help Reid get the letters written.” She scanned the room. “Gordon, organize the army. Ackley, help your brother. Dexter, entertain Harlan. We will meet back here for supper in one hour.” On her way toward the exit, she came to an abrupt halt. “Apparently, I will be cooking supper. Maybe one of the soldiers can help.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “Well, what’s everyone waiting for? Do as you were told. Now.”
Reid jumped up. Hurrying from the great hall, she then ran up the stairs two at a time. Inside her bedchamber, she peeled off her wet clothing. After dressing in dry pants and a tunic, she opened her door to find Idina there.
“Do you have paper and ink in here?”
“No.” Reid led Idina to the duke’s office. Sitting in her father’s chair, Reid pulled open the top drawer, taking out several sheets of paper. She felt so small in her father’s chair. She’d never sat in it before.
“Do you know what to say?” Idina asked as she perched on the chair across from Reid.
Taking the quill, she dipped it in ink. “I know exactly what to say.”
Reid poured her heart into the letters. She explained how she’d been raised, how she’d pretended to be a man so her father wouldn’t lose his land and title, how she’d been sent to Axian where she learned another way of life, how the king had brought an army