Page 17 of Feathered Thief

However, while she was thanking the courtiers and smiling until her cheeks hurt, she couldn’t help overhearing the grand duke tell someone, “There’s no problem. A betrothal contract can be legally dissolved at any time during the first year with only a minor financial penalty. After that, a legal penalty would be incurred for breach of promise. You can be sure I won’t let that happen.”

Disturbed, she looked at Kazik, whose brow furrowed. He leaned close to speak into her ear. “I would marry you today if I had any say.”

“Why must we wait so long?” she whispered between greetings and smiles.

He heaved a quick sigh. “I’ve asked, but my father always speaks for my mother, and recently she is . . . distant. I’m lucky to know about anything my parents think or do, much less why.”

She gave him a faint smile. “Sometimes I feel like a pawn.”

“I hate chess,” he admitted. “It’s too slow. Draughts are so much better. I want action!”

“I would never have guessed.”

He gave her a startled look, then laughed along with her. “Liar. Come here.”

She let him take her hand and followed him into an alcove. Gently turning her to face him, he wrapped her hands in his warm grasp. “I’m thankful we’re betrothed. I won’t let anyone snatch you away from me.” The expression in his brown eyes was gentle yet adamant.

Helena choked up with pure thankfulness, clinging to his large, callused hands. Why he cared for her she hadn’t a clue, but she certainly wouldn’t try to change his mind. “I’m thankful too.” Her voice went all warbly sounding.

They were still gazing earnestly into each other’s eyes when Kazik’s buddies from Plock Castle loomed behind him.

“There you are, Kaz!” Twardo announced, his voice deafening in close quarters. “Czwarty says we’ll be practicing with the tallest yew bows tomorrow. Have you tried to draw one of those things? They’re huge! Like, taller than me.”

Each brawny brother held the hand of a Chelm Castle daughter. The Honorable sisters Kornelia and Malgosia Aleksy both giggled as if they’d just heard a hilarious joke.

“I’m sure we’ll learn some tricks,” Czwarty stated. “The instructors always make things sound more difficult than they are,” he assured Lady Kornelia as if such things mattered to her.

Helena had never cared much for the snooty sisters, but handsome Kornelia did seem to sincerely admire the awkward heir to Plock Castle.

Drawn by noisy conversation, more of their peers gathered around the newly betrothed couple. The boys discussed bows and arrows and swords while the girls begged to hear about wedding plans and were sadly disappointed to hear that none existed yet. Helena soon found herself separated from Kazik.

When pressed by an older girl whose name escaped her, she simply answered, “Our parents are planning everything. We’re both happy.”

“Of course, you are.” The stranger spoke sweetly but subtly rolled her eyes. “Who wouldn’t be happy to marry the grand duchess’s heir? Money and power!”

“Don’t you mean the grand duke?” Helena inquired.

The girl faked a laugh. “Madame Euzebia brought the money, the power, and this castle into the grand duke’s grasp. Without her, he had a title and not much else.”

“I guess she really wanted the title.” Someone spoke from behind Helena.

“Why didn’t the archduke come to his grandson’s betrothal?” another girl asked. “Has there been a family split?”

“Not as far as I know.” Helena tried to sound confident around these noblemen’s daughters. She couldn’t keep track of every speaker, let alone respond adequately.

“She’ll wear silks and furs and jewels all the time,” a girl sighed. “Sounds like happiness to me!”

“I do like pretty clothes,” Helena admitted, “and furs are a blessing in winter, but I’ve never really seen the use of jewels. I would rather have a good horse.” Her comment dropped intoa still moment, and, to her chagrin, everyone nearby overheard her claim.

Most of the girls laughed or groaned, but before Helena could explain her preference, a handsome young man she didn’t know slipped between two giggling girls, tucked his arms around their waists, and inserted himself into the conversation. “A princess needs a fiery stallion to ride, not a fat little palfrey. Am I right, Your Highness?” He turned his bold gaze upon Helena while several boys who had followed him into the alcove laughed and began to suggest other types of horses a princess should own.

Realizing she was the princess they were speaking of, Helena firmly stated, “I value kindness, intelligence, and endurance over flashy beauty.”

After a startled silence she heard a snicker from a young lady, then a snort from the handsome young man. Soon everyone seemed to be laughing at her statement.

Did I somehow misunderstand his question?

Confused and feeling foolish, she added, “In a horse, I mean. But in people, too.”

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