Tempest Rise (Treborel) - By Alaina Stanford Page 0,1
well. Leaving the door slightly ajar, Enda moved in front of the large mirror hanging beside the entrance to the library. Leaning close, she pretended to primp as a Queen's Guard moved past her. Leaning closer as he disappeared around the distant corner of the hall, she peered into the room, listening.
"All right, the golden she-devil has gone Hanlin. Speak your mind." Katar’s smile turned to a slight frown as he turned back to face Lord Wills.
"Lady Waytals has too much influence on you, Your Highness. She is a fortune seeker, who lusts after the Royal Treasury. You realize that her husband’s estate is close to being sold at auction? She has squandered her entire inheritance trying to keep herself clad in those disgracefully revealing gowns. She's your only mistress and she hints to anyone the least bit interested that she's your fiancée." Sighing Hanlin collapsed onto the sofa next to Katar, relieved to have the matter out in the open.
Quietly Katar considered all that Hanlin said then he answered in a quiet tone. "Enda knows exactly where she stands with me. She's merely playing games with the women who irritate her, when she speaks of an engagement. At this point in time I have no intentions of marrying her or anyone else. She is fully aware of that." Placing his arm on the back of the sofa Katar looked soberly at Hanlin's concerned face. "As for her financial concerns, I had no idea she was in such difficulties. She should have come to me; I won’t let her lose her home. I'm not as selfish and bull headed as you might think. I wouldn't let anyone fall into poverty, if I could help it. I suppose she would be better off chasing someone who could offer her a future. Commander Taylor has always had a fondness for her. Perhaps I should steer her toward him. He's well off and stubborn enough to keep her from ruling over him. "
Rising suddenly Katar crossed to the elaborate mahogany bar near the large high windows overlooking the Queen's gardens. "Cap's been pretty busy lately, since his promotion to Commander in the Air Forces. If he were to marry . . . that could put an end to our hunting expeditions. Another poor soul sacrificed to the jaws of matrimony." This last statement was said with more anger than regret. Moving around the long cabinet to the arrangement of wines and brandies displayed, Katar filled two glasses with golden ale. "What is it about marriage Hanlin that causes a man to give up the things he enjoys most in life?"
''I've never been married myself, Your Highness. However, I suspect that one’s priorities change and therefore a man will only relinquish what he feels necessary. “Hanlin answered confused by Katar's statement.
"Our hunting expeditions were our only escape from the hazards of repetitive duty. They were exciting adventures that lasted for weeks at a time. Now Eades describes them as dangerous. Thomas Rung, who has a new son, complains that they're too long. Neither of them has been on a hunt in over 2 years. Then you have Bosen May, married for ten years, shows up every time. If I even mention a hunt, he comes running, taking more risks than anyone else does. “Leaning across the bar Katar smiled knowingly, "He was never that way before all those years of marriage.”
"Katar . . . “Hanlin began but was cut off by Katar’s loud laughter.
"Cap says Bosen's got a death wish. I say send his controlling little wife along with us next time and his worries are over."
Realizing that Katar was venting his anger, Hanlin dismissed the horrendous statement. Katar was truly very fond of the blacksmith's wife, Tya May. He was simply trying to take the conversation away from the subject of matrimony. "Very well, Your Highness. I can see you are not in a receptive mood. I would ask only one favor of you before I leave you to your thoughts. Assuming you were serious about ending your relationship with Lady Waytals. I have been in communication with Lord Sean Nolan of Lon Tesse. His niece Lady Lysette Nolan is the granddaughter of Lady Alyssa Moore of Treborel. “Hanlin’s eyes grew distant, as a light smile appeared on his face. “ I knew Lady Moore; she was a graceful beautiful woman."
Intrigued Katar wondered if Lady Moore was a past love of the steel faced gentleman. It hadn't occurred to him before, but Hanlin