The proprietor hurried in with a foaming mug of ale. Tasting it, Paithan pronounced the brew excellent and the highly gratified innkeeper was now his slave for life or at least as long as his money held out. Settling down in a booth, propping his feet up on the chair opposite him, Paithan lounged back and opened the other scroll, preparing to enjoy himself. It was a letter from Aleatha.
CHAPTER 11
HOUSE OF QUINDINIAR,
EQUILAN
My dear Paithan,
You’re probably astonished to hear from me. I’m not one for writing. However, I’m certain you won’t be offended if I tell you the truth and that is that I’m writing to you out of sheer boredom. I certainly hope this engagement doesn’t last too long or I shall go out of my mind.
Yes, dear brother, I’ve given up my “wild and wicked ways.” At least temporarily. When I’m a “staid old married woman” I intend to pursue a more interesting life; one only needs to be discreet.
As I had foreseen, there is a bit of scandal over the impending marriage. The dowager is a snobbish old bitch who came near to ruining everything. She had the nerve to inform Durndrun that I had been having an affair with Lord K—, that I frequented certain establishments Below and that I even carried on with the human slaves! In short, I was a slut, not worthy of being honored with the Durndrun money, the Durndrun house, and the Durndrun name.
Fortunately, I had foreseen something like this happening and had procured a promise from my “beloved” that he was to inform me of any allegations made by his dear mama and allow me to refute them. He did so, coming to see me in the mistymorne of all times. That’s one habit of which I shall have to break him! By Orn!
What does one do at such an ungodly hour? There was no help for it. I had to make an appearance. Fortunately, unlike some women, I always look well on arising.
I found Durndrun in the parlor, looking extremely serious and stern, being entertained by Calandra, who was enjoying the whole thing immensely.
She left us alone-quite proper between engaged couples, you know-and, if you will believe this, my dear brother, the man began heaping his mother’s accusations upon my head!
I was, of course, prepared.
Once I understood the precise nature of his complaints (and their source), I tumbled down upon the floor in a swoon. (In passing, there is a true art to that. One must fall without doing damage and preferably without any unsightly bruises on the elbows. It is not as easy as it looks.) Anyway, Durndrun was quite alarmed and was obliged-of course-to lift me in his arms and place me on the sofa.
I came to myself just in time to prevent him ringing for help and, seeing him bending over me, called him a “cad” and burst into tears.
He was again obliged to take me in his arms. Sobbing incoherently about my besmirched honor and how I could never love a man who didn’t trust me, I attempted to push him away, making certain that in the ensuing struggle my gown tore and the lord discovered that his hand had wandered to a place where it should not have been.
“Ah, so this is what you think of me!” I flung myself on the sofa, taking care that in my frantic attempts to repair the damage, I simply made it worse. My only worry was that he should ring for the servants. I, therefore, did not allow my tears to degenerate into hysterics.
He rose to his feet and I could see, out of the corner of my eye, the struggle ensuing in his breast. I quieted my sobs and turned my head, looking up at him through a veil of golden hair, my eyes shimmering quite prettily.
“I admit that I have been what some might call irresponsible,” I said in a choked voice, “but then I never had a mama to guide me! I’ve been searching so long for someone to love and honor with all my heart, and now that I’ve found you …”