The Red Wyvern - Katharine Kerr [26]
“Just so, Your Grace.” Merodda favored him with a brilliant smile. “Brother? You look troubled.”
Actually, Lilli decided, Burcan looked furious enough to choke her; then the look vanished in a wry smile.
“It makes a man feel old, seeing his youngest son marry,” Burcan said and smoothly.
“Happened to me, too.” Tibryn nodded. “Well, let’s consider the matter settled. Rhodi, how about pouring some of that mead?”
“Of course.” Merodda got up from her chair and started toward the table, then glanced back. “Lilli, you don’t have any objections, do you?”
“None, Mother. I’ve always known I’d marry where the clan wished.”
“Good,” Tibryn said. “Good child. Braemys is a well-favored lad, anyway, and a good man with a horse.”
“And what about you?” Merodda turned to Burcan. “Does this suit you well enough, brother?”
Burcan raised bland eyes.
“Well enough,” he said. “We’d best start discussing the dowry and the bride-price.”
“Oh come now,” Tibryn said. “The land she brings should be enough for any man, Burco!”
“Very true.” Merodda turned to Lilli. “You may leave us now.”
Lilli rose, curtsied, and gladly fled. She hurried down the stone staircase to the first turn, then paused, looking out over the great hall, roaring with armed men in the firelight. Braemys had left Dun Deverry some days earlier, she knew, gone off to his father’s lands to muster their allies, but then, his father would have to be the one to inform him of the betrothal, anyway. Perhaps Uncle Burcan would send him a messenger; more likely the matter would wait until her cousin returned to court. She wondered if he would be pleased instead of feeling merely relieved she wasn’t someone else.
Lilli did however spot Lady Bevyan, standing by the royal table with two of Queen Abrwnna’s serving women. Smiling, Lilli trotted down the steps and made her way over to her foster-mother, who greeted her by holding out one arm. Lilli slipped into that familiar embrace with a comfortable sigh. With nods and farewells, the serving women drifted away.
“My, you look pleased!” Bevyan said. “The talk with your mother wasn’t as bad as all that, then.”
“It wasn’t. They’ve settled my betrothal, and it’s not to one of Uncle Tibryn’s awful vassals.”
“Good! I was afraid they’d be considering Nantyn.”
“They were, but Uncle Burcan spoke up for me. It was such an odd thing, Bevva! He even offered to cede Nantyn some land somewhere if Uncle Tibryn wanted to give the old sot that instead of me.”
“Well, may our Goddess bless him for it!” Bevyan’s voice sounded oddly wary. “I wouldn’t have thought he’d do such a thing, Burcan, that is.”
“But he did, and now I’ll be marrying Braemys, my cousin, you know?”
Bevyan’s arm tightened fast and sharp around her shoulders, then released her. Lilli stepped away and looked at her foster-mother, whose face had gone as bland as her uncle’s had, a few minutes before.
“Is somewhat wrong with him?” Lilli said.
“Not in the least. A decent young man and quite well-spoken, he is.” Her voice wavered ever so slightly. “Well. I’ll wager you’re glad to have it settled, dear.”
“I am, truly. And this way I’ll be staying at court, and I’ll still be able to see you, now and again.”
“Just so, and that will be lovely.”
But the distant look in Bevva’s eyes—it was fear, Lilli realized suddenly—bespoke thoughts that were far from lovely. She hovered, wondering what could be so wrong, until Bevyan broke the mood with a little laugh.
“It’s so noisy here,” Bevva said. “Shall we go up to my chambers? Sarra will want to hear all about your betrothal.”
With that, both Bevyan and the evening returned to their normal selves. Up in Bevva’s suite various court ladies joined them for a long gossip. Lilli felt like a cat lying down for a good nap by a fire, all safe and warm at last. Here in the company of other women she could forget, for at least a little while, the black ink and its secrets.
In the morning Bevyan’s suspicions woke with her. While she dressed, they seemed to sit on the edge of her bed, muttering in low voices,