Page 39 of Pippa of Lauramore
I steal a glance at him. The salve worked well, and the welts are barely visible. He hasn’t mentioned last night’s conversation, which tells me it was nothing more than the fever addling his brain. I’m not sure he even remembers my visit to the cottage.
That’s for the best.
I don’t need my friendship with him getting confused and complicated. Archer is my friend. Galinor is my love.
“Pippa, you look lost in thought this morning,” my mother says.
My family, our knights, Lady Marigold, and Archer all look my way. With the visiting princes and lords away for the scavenger hunt, I’m allowed to join the family breakfast.
“She’s probably dreaming of Prince Galinor,” Alexander says with a snort.
My brother’s comment gets a round of quiet laughter. Leonora smiles at me from her place next to Percival. I haven’t spoken to her in the last few days, and I know she’s noticed my absence. She hasn’t asked me to explain my whereabouts. Not yet, anyway.
Lady Marigold is quiet, just as she was the day I met her. She’s seated next to Archer, and my eyes wander to her. She eats in silence, glances up when someone speaks, and then quickly lowers her gaze back to the table. From the bits of conversation I’ve actually been listening to, Leonora has been keeping her company the last few days.
It’s harsh to think it, but I’m glad I haven’t been charged with entertaining Lady Marigold. She seems awfully dull. I have no idea what I would do with her.
I’m startled when she lets out a quiet laugh. Archer smiles at her as he passes her the bread basket. She glances at him, blushes, and then accepts a roll.
I snap my gaze away, feeling…something.
Flashing me a quick grin, Leonora catches my eye and tilts her head to Archer and the smiling Lady Marigold. What’sthatsupposed to mean?
I rise from my chair. The scavenger hunt is wreakinghavoc on my stomach, and I have almost no appetite. “Excuse me. I have lessons.”
My mother gives me a funny look. “Paint with me today, Pippa. I have nothing else to see to, so I am going to enjoy myself.”
I shake my head. “I’m not feeling well. I’ll do my lessons then rest for the afternoon.”
My father gives Archer a disapproving look. “You’ve been too strenuous in your training. I’ve heard how much time Pippa has been spending on her archery.”
“No, Father,” I interrupt before Archer can answer. “Ihave been relentless in my training. With the conditions of my punishment, I’ve found practicing my bow a worthwhile pastime. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“She’s besotted with that prince from Glendon,” I hear Percival say as I leave.
“He’s far from the most suitable,” my father answers. “But we have little to fear. There is no doubt Lionel will come out victorious.”
We’ll see about that.
Since Anna disappeared againafter breakfast, I excused myself from my lessons by switching them up so my tutors think I am with someone else all day. It was effective yesterday, and I hope it works as well today.
Archer has been in an uncharacteristically good mood all afternoon. He’s even being chatty with Galinor. I can’t help but think it has something to do with his morningwith Lady Marigold. Leonora seems delighted at the prospect of the two of them getting along well.
I glance at Galinor. He smiles, reaching out to take my hand as we ride.
Good. Archer deserves to be happy.
“What’s troubling you?” Galinor asks. His brow creases in concern.
“The fifth item,” I answer. Though it’s not entirely true of the moment, the fifth item has been on my mind.
“I’ve heard rumors it’s a black pearl.” He doesn’t seem troubled. In fact, he’s in much better spirits than yesterday. He was overjoyed when I presented him with the new inger egg, and he thanked Archer profusely.
Neither Archer nor Galinor seems concerned about the Eldentimber resin, but I’m a little uneasy. Eldentimber trees are rare, and it’s a good half a day’s ride to the one I know of. Archer was late leaving breakfast, and it made us late meeting Galinor. I had to wait for him in the armory until the third bells of the day sounded.
“Black pearls are the rarest known gem in Lauramore, and they are certainly worth more than anything I can think of,” I finally answer.
Though the resin will take us most of the day, we will still have tomorrow to find a pearl. I just hope Lionel doesn’t find one first.
