Page 3 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“Did it truly look like a corkscrew?” Kara asked Niall quietly.
“No. It merely had a warp or two. Everyone’s first blades do. It takes time to develop the skill.” He raised a brow in her direction. “Would you care to make the announcement?”
“No. You do it.”
Kara let him go, and Niall stepped forward. “I know you are all as proud of Harold as Kara and I are,” he began.
Everyone quieted down to listen.
“We are very pleased to say that Harold has agreed to allow his knight to be permanently displayed in the main parlor here at Tallenford. We’ve commissioned a special pedestal for it and you will all be able to examine it at your leisure.” He raised a hand to quell a spout of applause. “But in the meantime, once you have had a look, we invite you to come outside to the garden to help us celebrate Harold’s accomplishment with biscuits, lemonade, and good company.”
Thirty minutes later, Kara took another square of spiced shortbread and tried to convince Mrs. Pollock to stay outside with them a little longer.
“No, no,” the cook said, shaking her head. “I’ve a shank roasting,and it will be needing a good basting.” She nodded to where her kitchen assistant was darting among the rosebushes with the other maids. “Let the young ones stay and frolic a bit. I’ll go and take care of kitchen business.”
Relenting, Kara sat back with a sigh. She watched Mrs. Pollock pass Niall, Harold, and Turner hovering near the colonnade, then turned to where Gyda sat nearby, just outside the shade from the tent they had erected over the seating and the table of food and drinks. She started to speak, but her friend had her eyes closed and her face tilted into the sun. Kara closed her mouth. She knew Gyda hadn’t been sleeping well.
One of the young footmen approached, carrying the post. Kara frowned and waved him away as he headed for Gyda.
“But there’s a letter for Miss Winther, ma’am,” he said quietly.
“I’ll take it,” Kara told him.
“No. I’m awake,” Gyda said, sitting straighter. “I’ll take it.”
The footman handed it over and turned to move toward the men. He left both Niall and Harold with a letter each.
“It’s from Darrow!” the boy exclaimed, ripping open his own. He read on. “He’s caught up in court but wants to come and see my knight soon.”
“That was thoughtful,” Kara murmured to Gyda. They had met Mr. Darrow, the procurator fiscal, when they first came to Scotland. They had come to inspect Tallenford Priory and the estate the Crown had gifted Niall, to go along with his new dukedom. Somehow, as per usual, they had ended up in an adventure as well.
Her friend was frowning down at her own letter.
“Bad news?” Kara asked.
Gyda sighed. “Beth fears there is trouble in the wind at that charity she’s been volunteering at. You know how nervous she gets when conflict starts brewing.”
“Yes, but you have always been able to bolster her confidence. I’mglad she’s comfortable enough to write and ask for your advice.”
“Yes.” Gyda gazed into the distance, her mind clearly occupied with her faraway friend.
Kara stood as Harold approached, with Niall on his heels.
“What project should I work on next, Kara?” the boy asked, coming to lean into her.
“I thought you might want a break from the lab. Practice your blade forging, perhaps?”
“I will,” the boy said with a nod. “But I like to have two projects going at once. I like having one in the forge and one in the lab—especially here at Tallenford, since I don’t have the gymnasium or special lessons,” he added with a sigh.
Gyda looked over. “Are you wishing to return to London, Harold?”
The boy looked instantly contrite. “No, of course not. I love the priory. I have plenty to occupy me here.”
Kara’s heart melted a little. Harold knew the main reason they had come to spend these last months at Tallenford was to give Gyda, who had recently suffered a difficult loss, the peace and quiet she needed to grieve.
Gyda nodded slowly. “I just thought everyone might be getting a little restless, missing all the bustle of the city, or all the occupations we cannot pursue here.”
“We are all perfectly content, Gyda,” Niall told her. “We will all stay as long as you like.”
