Page 102 of Ironling
It’s too soon,her heart cried. She didn’t want his place nor his title. Not yet.
None of that changed her situation, though.
So, Aislinn moved the chair closer to the desk and laid her hands on its cool surface.
“Was it wise to tell them?” asked Brenna as they gathered round the desk. “The news will undoubtedly find its way into the city. Tongues have a way of wagging.”
Aislinn blinked, realizing that she could have lied, or at least kept silent about this to the staff. It hadn’t occurred to her, honestly. They deserved to know.
“I don’t wish to lie to them,” said Aislinn.
“It wouldn’t look well on Aislinn if they found out later, when Jerrod’s at the gate,” Sorcha argued.
“LadyAislinn,” Brenna corrected under her breath.
“I thought they should know. And…should there be any sympathy for Jerrod within the castle, best to know sooner.”
“Indeed, my lady,” agreed Captain Aodhan. “We will be vigilant. It’s also why I must advise that at least two guards stay with you at all times.”
Aislinn opened her mouth to argue, that she of course was safe within the castle itself, but had she not just admitted shewaited to see if someone would betray her to Jerrod?
I won’t be able to see Hakon. Not without an audience.
She trusted her knights to be discreet, but her situation had grown evermore fraught. Aislinn couldn’t help remembering Brenna’s warning about the Darrows seeming so cozy with otherly folk. She wanted to believe her swordsmen and staff wouldn’t be so bigoted as to care either way, but it was naïve to think that the lady of the castle sneaking off to the blacksmith’s bedchamber wouldn’t at least cause gossip.
Aislinn swallowed that bitter truth with effort and a heavy heart.
“And no more disappearing for a whole day,” added Brenna.
Lips thinning, Aislinn said, “I will agree to two guards. For now, have them keep back unless we know there is a possible threat. We must be cautious, not paranoid.”
Captain Aodhan nodded stiffly. Aislinn knew he would have preferred to have her surrounded by six knights just to walk from her bedchamber to the dining hall, but Aislinn chafed against such an obvious show of defense. She wasn’t scared of Jerrod, and she wouldn’t allow him to dictate her daily life from over a hundred leagues away.
“I’m hoping none of this will be necessary in the end, but it may be worthwhile seeking new recruits to help round out the numbers.”
“Yes, my lady. I will also increase patrols and send a few into the countryside, just to ensure we won’t be taken by surprise.”
Aislinn nodded. “I don’t want the people to be frightened or feel a heavy hand, but we must be vigilant, as you say. I want to know if anyone is sympathetic to Jerrod. I’m hoping his plan will fall apart, but if he does manage to marshal any sort of force, we can’t have a threat within, too.”
“That won’t happen, my lady, rest assured. The people are loyal to those who treat them well. I’m sorry if I overstep,”Captain Aodhan pressed his fist over his heart, “but we all remember your brother. The Darrowlands rejoiced when you were named heiress—no one will want to see you replaced.”
“Thank you, captain.” Aislinn’s heart stung with gratitude at the captain’s words.
Bowing, Captain Aodhan said, “We will weather this, my lady.”
“You’re right. We will.”
After a few more words, the captain departed to see to his duties, leaving Aislinn a little more confident in his wake.
Aislinn would take what time she had to find a solution—something other than violence and bloodshed. With a little luck, she’d find one before her father even returned home.
The alternative was to test the loyalty of not only her staff but her people. To call upon a force to defend Dundúran—something even her father had never had to do. She had the authority, and her father’s seal of writ, but did she have the loyalty of all her people, from the farmers to the barons?
I don’t know.
Aislinn thought she knew and could trust people before and had been proven wrong.
“Brenna.”
