“He might think it a bargain,” said Romilly bitterly, but she knew she was not quite truthful; her father loved her, harsh as he was, and she knew it. She said, “Look, there he stands and for the moment he has no customer, go now and ask for such a trade for Redwing.”
“I thank you,” he said, and went; then Davin called to her to show the paces of one of the dogs she had trained, and she forgot Alderic again. She worked all day on the sale fields, displaying the obedience of the dogs, explaining bloodlines and stud-books, exhibiting the hawks; her noon-meal was a mouthful of bread and cheese and a few nuts, swallowed in the enclosure behind the stables among The MacAran’s men, and by the time the trading was called to a halt by the evening rain and the guests began to depart, she was famished and filthy, ready for a bath and to be dressed in a comfortable worn tunic and skirt for the family’s dinner. A good smell of roasting meat and fresh-baked bread came as she passed the hall, and she went in and took her seat. Rael was still chattering to anyone who would listen about his day spent among the animals, and Luciella finally silenced him with a weary “Hush, Rael, or you shall have supper in the nursery; there are others in this family who would like to speak a word or two without being drowned out! How did it go today, my dear?” she asked The MacAran as he took his seat and picked up his mug. He took a long drink before answering.
“Well enough; I made a good trade for Redwing, who is a fine horse for anyone who has wit to see what lies beneath that ugly coat of his. Dom Alderic told me you recommended that sale, Romilly,” he said, with a kind glance at his elder daughter.
“Did I well, father? I did not want to interfere, but it seemed to me that he would be a good ride for Dom Alderic,” she said shyly, “and-” she looked around to see if Alderic had come in, but Darren’s place was still empty and his friend was not at table either, “He told me he was short of ready money, so I knew that one of the blacks would be beyond his purse.”
“I am grateful to you; I wanted Redwing in good hands,” said her father, “and most people could not handle him; but with young Castamir, he was gentle as a child’s cagebird. So I thank you, daughter,”
“But still,” Luciella complained, “this must be the last year she goes out into the fields with the men, showing off hawks and horses – she is a grown woman, Mikhail!”
No fear of that,” said The MacAran, smiling, “Other news I have too. Romilly, my dear, you know you are of an age to be married; I had not thought I would have such a good offer for you, but Dom Garris of Scathfell has asked me for your hand in marriage, and I have answered him; yes.”
Romilly felt as if an ice-cold hand was closing about her throat.
Father!” she protested, while Luciella beamed and Mallina squeaked with excitement, “Not Dom Garris!”
Come, come,” her father said with a genial smile, “Surely you have not set your heart on someone else? Manfred Storn is not yet ready to marry, and I thought you loved Darissa well, and would welcome marrying into that family, so you might be near your best friend.”
I had thought-perhaps Cinhil-”
If that young man has trifled with your affections,” said The MacAran, “I’ll turn him over my knee and dust his breeches for him – he’s too much a child to be worth calling challenge! Why marry the younger son when you can marry the Heir, my dear?”
Her heart sank as she remembered the moment in the galleries. I was only testing you. Now I see you are a good girl. So, she thought, if she had liked Dom Garris well enough to kiss him she would have been deprived of marriage, as if it were a prize for good conduct! But since she had showed her loathing, she was then worthy of his attentions? Her eyes burned, but she would not cry here before her father.