The Ranger of Marzanna (The Goddess War #1) - Jon Skovron Page 0,17

find.”

They rode in silence for a while again, passing an ice-covered lake where children skated in circles. On the other side of the road was one of the many small farmsteads that dotted the land in this area. A few cows stood in the white fields, thin and miserable looking. Winter had only just begun, and it was already shaping up to be a cruel one.

Jorge cleared his throat. “So… you are the last Ranger of Marzanna, then?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I… hope not. But I’ve been searching the forests for a long time and haven’t found any others.”

“It must be lonely.” It sounded like he was pitying her, which was ridiculous, of course.

“Are you kidding? A Ranger thrives in the solitude of nature.”

“Oh, I see” was all he said.

7

Well, Irina, my dear, it’s not perfect but I suppose it will have to do until your new gown is ready.”

The Lady Inessa Odoyevtseva Prozorova stood in the center of her dressing room and gazed critically at the gown that hung from the dress form. Irina stood beside her, wincing as Inessa’s servant cinched up her corset. Irina hadn’t worn a corset since before Sonya’s birth, and she was remembering all over again why she loathed them so much.

“The gown looks lovely,” Irina assured her host.

“It’s from before Vanya’s birth so it’s several years out of fashion,” said Inessa. “See these puffy shoulder caps? No one wears those anymore.”

“I like—” Irina was momentarily cut off as the servant girl yanked on the corset ties. “The color.”

Inessa nodded. “It is a lovely shade of red. I think it’ll set off your hair nicely. And it should fit you reasonably well. But just you wait. When my tailor is finished with your real gown, you won’t give this one a second thought.”

“I look forward to it,” said Irina.

“Are you quite finished there, Alena?” Inessa asked sharply. “Goodness, girl, how long does it take to put on a corset?”

“Apologies, my lady. I’ve just finished.”

“Well then, let’s try it on.”

Irina was quite capable of dressing herself, and over these last two decades had grown accustomed to it. But she knew that, at least in Inessa’s presence, she must act the part of a pampered noblewoman. So she allowed Alena to dress her while Inessa continued in an endless torrent of words on whatever topic happened into her soft little skull.

“I should think you’re terribly pleased that Sebastian has chosen to accept the commander’s invitation to enlist in the officer class of the military.”

“I’m overjoyed,” said Irina. Relieved was more accurate. She would never dictate her son’s life choices as her husband had tried to do, but she had strongly hinted to him what the proper course of action should be, and she was grateful he’d had the sense to see it. Had he rebuffed Vittorio, she suspected neither he nor she would still be alive.

“Unfortunate that it happened right after that business with Giovanni,” continued Inessa. “But I’m glad the commander didn’t hold that against Sebastian. After all, it’s not your son’s fault his father wouldn’t listen to reason.”

Irina kept her voice and expression neutral. “Indeed.”

“And I’m certain he’ll do well in the military,” said Inessa. “He has his father’s gallant visage, but none of his arrogance.”

“Quite so.”

Inessa paused and looked at Irina in concern. “Oh, dearest, I’m sorry. I should not speak ill of your departed husband.”

Irina shook her head. “I know you meant nothing by it, dearest Ina. You have only ever spoken from your heart.” And hardly ever with your brain, she thought. “And how is your husband, my darling? I have not seen him yet.”

Inessa’s ever-present smile tightened until it looked slightly painful. “I’m afraid some urgent business has taken Sergey out of town for a few days.”

“I understand completely, dearest Ina.”

That is to say, Irina understood that Inessa had most likely sent her husband out of town for the next few days so he would not be anywhere near Irina. Long ago, when they had both been around Sebastian’s age, Sergey had courted her. If Giovanni hadn’t swept her away with his dashing soldierly charms, burning brown eyes, and unexpectedly gentle touch, Irina would have probably married Sergey. Apparently, Inessa feared that a flame for Irina might still burn in Sergey’s heart, and that Irina might feel the same, especially now that Giovanni was dead.

Of course, the last thing Irina wanted at present was a husband, but she knew she’d never be able to convince someone like Inessa of