Claire Delacroix by The Bride Quest Series 3-Book Bundle

go?” She slipped closer to the window and peered down at Luc, widening the gap between the shutters with her fingertips.
    She glanced back to her mistress coyly. “Is he most charming?”
    Brianna grimaced. “Hardly that.”
    “But you spoke with him long last evening.” Fenella giggled. “Do you
fancy
him, my lady?”
    “Nay!” Brianna laced her chausses decisively even as her cheeks heated. “I but tried to persuade him that ’tis in his best interest that he be gone from Tullymullagh.”
    “In the moonlight.”
    Brianna glared at her maid. “ ’Twas of no import. In point of fact, we argued. He is a most vexing man.”
    Fenella could not completely hide her smile. “Of course, my lady. ’Tis oft the way of things when a man and a woman first acknowledge each other.”
    “We do not
acknowledge
each other!” Brianna pushed to her feet, more than ready to end this discussion. “Might you trouble yourself to find my old boots?” she asked deliberately. Fenella hastened to dig in a trunk on the far side of the chamber.
    “Have you not cleared your belongings away yet?” Gavin’s impatient roar echoed in the hall and Brianna realized she could not leave her dame’s treasure in these chambers. Her sire had made her promise to keep the box safe, after all. The tunic Brianna wore was full and she reasoned that with a sash about her waist, she could secure the precious box against her belly.
    At least until she found her chance.
    “Here they are, my lady, but such boots are hardly fitting for you these days.” Fenella’s lips drew in a disapproving line. “Look at the wear upon them! All will think your sire lost his entire fortune.”
    “I care little what the others may think,” Brianna said calmly and took the boots. Fenella looked so disappointed in her mistress’ choice, that Brianna’s defiance melted slightly. “Perhaps you could do me a favor this day, Fenella.”
    “Aye, my lady.”
    “I should like to wear my finest garb to the board tonight. The blue kirtle edged with gold. Could you perhaps see that all is made ready?”
    “Oh!” Fenella clasped her hands in delight. “And the kid slippers I so admire?”
    “Of course.”
    The maid smiled at the very prospect. “Oh, my lady, you will look most lovely. Here, I will braid your hair, for if you mean to be in the orchard all the day, you cannot have it loose. But on this night, I will use those blue ribbons that suitor from Dublin left for you.…”
    Brianna fought to stand still as Fenella’s fingers slid deftly into her hair. The maid’s tales of who said what the night before slid over her mistress unheard. Brianna was too busy trying to think of a way to retrieve the box from its hiding place without Fenella seeing her.
    Salvation came from the most unlikely of places.
    A horse snorted in the bailey and the maid flew to the window, casting open the shutters, her task forgotten in her thirst for news. Brianna caught the end of her braid and knotted a lace about it as she gauged the distance to her dame’s box.
    “Oh, my lady! Is that Lady Ismay?” Fenella hung out the window unashamedly.
    Brianna grimaced. Lady Ismay was the last person she wished to see this morn.
    Or on any other morn, for that matter.
    All the same, Brianna took the opportunity of Fenella’s distraction to delve the box from her linens and secrete it beneath her tunic. She tucked it into the top of her chausses and scanned the chamber for a suitable sash, barely aware of her maid’s chatter.
    “And Lord Dermot fast by her side, as always,” Fenella mused. “Truly, he is a most devoted spouse. ’Tis a marvel to me that any man could adore such a woman with such ardor. And the way she talks to him!” The maid rolled her eyes. “ ’Tis clear she fancies herself more eligible than ever she was. Lord Dermot must be a veritable saint. Look! Ismay is hailing your master Luc.”
    Those words distracted Brianna from her task.
    “He is not
my
master