Page 29 of Unrivaled
She busied herself finding the lamp.“Well, that’s a stroke of luck,” she said brightly to Brian.“Imagine how awful it would’ve been if we couldn’t get in!”
No one responded.The lack of conversation was only made more uncomfortable by the way the merchant cleared his throat and Audrey’s rapid movements.
There was nothing I could do but stand by the door while Audrey dug around a system that wanted to keep as much power from her hands as possible.
“Ah, of course,” I heard her say.“An infinitely sensible place to store it.I might just put the license together here, Brian, while you confirm that information about the cider?We don’t need to risk removing anything important.”
“An excellent plan, my lady,” Brian said, his voice as jovial as hers.
She was surviving now.I could hold her later.
It made me feel no better.While the subtle scent of the man meant nothing to me, I knew the unique cocktail of my father would probably have been a gut-punch if I caught a lungful of it.Had she spent much time in his study?
Had any of it been positive?
Some of it would’ve been, at some point.That was how they worked, some carrot and some spur.
“I’ve got what I need to further our negotiations around cider supply,” I heard Brian say.“How’s yours?”
“Almost done,” she responded.
Gratitude for that mercy swept through me.I didn’t count my breaths until she walked back out of that room, but only because I was too fucking stubborn.
She locked the door too hurriedly after herself, the keys clamoring in her hands and her skirts twisting about her feet.Impatiently, she led us away, the ink still wet on the paper in her hand.“I might have Storm saddled again and deliver this,” she said.
“No, no, that’s a runner’s task, my lady,” Brian said, shaking his head.“You’ve done more than enough.If the Captain was so worried, they’d’ve come with you to the keep.”
They’d tried.
“They tried,” Isolde said from her place at Audrey’s right.
There were times when I envied that woman.
Brian let out a surprised laugh.“I suppose that’s true.Still, don’t you think it’s a little below your lady’s station, mistress?”
“Who do you think such a task might fall to, then, master?”Isolde asked him, stepping aside to let Audrey and Brian remain abreast as the corridor narrowed for the defensible archway leading back to the keep proper.
A red-faced young woman appeared, flour on her apron and skirts in her hands.She dropped them as she saw us, straightening her posture and shortening her stride.
It was a familiar sight.Audrey’s shoulders pinched up toward her ears.If I touched her now, she’d be tight as a drawn bow.While I was glad Isolde had forced her to have a rest day today, I still missed the midday break in our activity to stretch and refocus.As the woman came closer with whatever bad news she carried, I wondered if I might be able to pry Audrey away to walk on the battlements or sit in the garden.Anything to get a little distance.Especially after she’d just plunged into whatever memories of her father she held.
“My lady,” the girl said, with a curtsey.“Apologies for the interruptions, but I’m unable to find Kaelson or Ettie, and Bernadette is?—”
“What’s happened?”Audrey asked her, the worry in her voice making the interruption less jarring.
“Riordan—Riordan Grynthm?Widow Fitzherbert appears to have broken his nose.He’s demanding compensation or a trial by combat.”
I saw the slight lift of Isolde’s chin and knew the widow would have a champion that could gut Riordan in record time if she wished it.
“I see,” Audrey said, letting out a breath.“Where are the two of them now?”
“Riordan’s searching the keep for you,” she offered, clasping her hands.“The widow is in the infirmary, my lady.”
My belly clenched.
“Apologies, my lady,” Brian said, holding out his hand for the license.“Mayhap I ought to…”
“Thanking you,” she murmured, passing it over.“Isolde, please go see to the widow?Assure her that if she is in need of a champion, I will allow people to volunteer for that role.”
