Lord Reginald and Lady Fleur remained with the king, Cynric took this as his cue to withdraw and do what he did best, wait and observe unseen.
“The feast was wonderful, Your Highness.” Cynric caught Lady Fleur’s voice from where he stood in the shadows. “It was both a pleasure and an honor to be your guest, except for that most unfortunate incident.” She was addressing Xander’s father now. “Forgive my passion, Lord Reginald. I spoke out of turn, I know. But I cannot abide seeing another human so used, no matter how wretched.”
“Avin is not wretched,” Xander said. “Only the treatment of her was.”
“You are a man of character,” Lady Fleur said. “I admire that.”
“The two of you have much in common,” Lord Reginald was saying. “You both possess the capacity for mercy, even for those who are unworthy of it. And then, of course, there is the matter of our families’ strong bonds.” He chuckled. “I believe the two of you are the only sober ones left in the room after tonight’s festivities. And the evening is still young for such young people. Let me take my leave so the two of you may become more acquainted. Your subjects love Lady Fleur already, Xander, and she is keen to learn more of your life in Windbourne. Why don’t the two of you…”
“No.” Xander’s response was curt. “I must beg the lady’s forgiveness, Father,” he said. “I am in no mood for company. Thank you for your graciousness, Lady Fleur. Father, if you would see her to her chambers.” Xander turned away.
“Will I see you on the morrow?” There was disappointment in her voice as she called after him, but no answer from the king. Only his footfalls as he left. The doors shut. From the shadows Cynric could see Lady Fleur pacing.
“Patience, my dear,” Lord Reginald said. “He is stung by what happened earlier, but your performance tonight further won the favor of our people. It will only increase the pressure I’m bringing to bear for the two of you to wed.” He paused. “Avin saw the necklace?”
“Yes.” Lady Fleur laughed. “I kept it in the pouch as you instructed, and before I went in to speak to her alone I put it on without Xander seeing. Her face…” She laughed again. “It ruined her.”
“I wish I could have seen it. I shall have to reward Sal for revealing Xander’s plan to give it to her. I revel in the pain it must have caused that icy whore when she saw it around the neck of another woman.”
“You replaced the necklace?” Lady Fleur’s voice was heavy with concern.
“Of course,” Lord Reginald replied. “It is back among the jewels we brought from Ravenscroft, and I’m quite convinced Xander believes Avin to have gone mad. She was overheard yelling that he gave it to another.”
“And he doesn’t suspect us?” she asked.
“How could he? He had no way of knowing that Sal has been giving us information to use against them. So far as Xander is concerned, Avin’s accusations are borne of delusion.” Lord Reginald laughed. “Just one look at his expression in the hall tonight and I knew all had gone to plan. Now, the king may yet ask if you had the necklace. If he does, what will be your reply?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Lady Fleur mimicked concerned indignation. “The poor dear. Why would she say such a thing when I’ve only seen her once, and that was when she was tied up with the dogs!”
“Very good, my dear. Very good.”
Cynric peeked from around a pillar. He could see Lord Reginald clap his hands and rub them together.
“With no proof to back up the wretched bitch’s claims, combined with your steadiness and popularity, we’ll soon have Xander brought to heel. It will be impossible for him to deny the benefits of marriage to a calm young woman of good breeding who grows more popular by the day with his people. And we shall make sure that Sal chips hints regularly at the king’s love for you. We’ll drive her
“The feast was wonderful, Your Highness.” Cynric caught Lady Fleur’s voice from where he stood in the shadows. “It was both a pleasure and an honor to be your guest, except for that most unfortunate incident.” She was addressing Xander’s father now. “Forgive my passion, Lord Reginald. I spoke out of turn, I know. But I cannot abide seeing another human so used, no matter how wretched.”
“Avin is not wretched,” Xander said. “Only the treatment of her was.”
“You are a man of character,” Lady Fleur said. “I admire that.”
“The two of you have much in common,” Lord Reginald was saying. “You both possess the capacity for mercy, even for those who are unworthy of it. And then, of course, there is the matter of our families’ strong bonds.” He chuckled. “I believe the two of you are the only sober ones left in the room after tonight’s festivities. And the evening is still young for such young people. Let me take my leave so the two of you may become more acquainted. Your subjects love Lady Fleur already, Xander, and she is keen to learn more of your life in Windbourne. Why don’t the two of you…”
“No.” Xander’s response was curt. “I must beg the lady’s forgiveness, Father,” he said. “I am in no mood for company. Thank you for your graciousness, Lady Fleur. Father, if you would see her to her chambers.” Xander turned away.
“Will I see you on the morrow?” There was disappointment in her voice as she called after him, but no answer from the king. Only his footfalls as he left. The doors shut. From the shadows Cynric could see Lady Fleur pacing.
“Patience, my dear,” Lord Reginald said. “He is stung by what happened earlier, but your performance tonight further won the favor of our people. It will only increase the pressure I’m bringing to bear for the two of you to wed.” He paused. “Avin saw the necklace?”
“Yes.” Lady Fleur laughed. “I kept it in the pouch as you instructed, and before I went in to speak to her alone I put it on without Xander seeing. Her face…” She laughed again. “It ruined her.”
“I wish I could have seen it. I shall have to reward Sal for revealing Xander’s plan to give it to her. I revel in the pain it must have caused that icy whore when she saw it around the neck of another woman.”
“You replaced the necklace?” Lady Fleur’s voice was heavy with concern.
“Of course,” Lord Reginald replied. “It is back among the jewels we brought from Ravenscroft, and I’m quite convinced Xander believes Avin to have gone mad. She was overheard yelling that he gave it to another.”
“And he doesn’t suspect us?” she asked.
“How could he? He had no way of knowing that Sal has been giving us information to use against them. So far as Xander is concerned, Avin’s accusations are borne of delusion.” Lord Reginald laughed. “Just one look at his expression in the hall tonight and I knew all had gone to plan. Now, the king may yet ask if you had the necklace. If he does, what will be your reply?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Lady Fleur mimicked concerned indignation. “The poor dear. Why would she say such a thing when I’ve only seen her once, and that was when she was tied up with the dogs!”
“Very good, my dear. Very good.”
Cynric peeked from around a pillar. He could see Lord Reginald clap his hands and rub them together.
“With no proof to back up the wretched bitch’s claims, combined with your steadiness and popularity, we’ll soon have Xander brought to heel. It will be impossible for him to deny the benefits of marriage to a calm young woman of good breeding who grows more popular by the day with his people. And we shall make sure that Sal chips hints regularly at the king’s love for you. We’ll drive her
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