LITMIR.BIZ

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at the waist, it swept down into a voluminous skirt that moved gracefully when I walked. Thankfully, it was long sleeved and covered my now black and purple wrist. I wore a ruby pendant with matching earrings—that had once belonged to Helena.

      “I don’t look anything like myself anymore,” I commented.

      “You look beautiful,” Miriam answered simply. “You should go down.”

      “Thank, you, Miriam,” I said. “For the dress.”

      She smiled tiredly. I knew she’d probably been up half the night.

      Leaving my room, I headed downstairs and heard voices in the hall. My mother always allowed the guests to arrive before making an entrance, so I had decided to follow her example.

      Stopping at the entrance to the hall, I looked in to take of stock of what awaited me. All four Volodanes were there, wearing the new clothing Betty and I had made for them—with some input from Sebastian.

      I thought Kai looked especially fine in a sleeveless black tunic. It suited his tall form, and his long hair hung down past his shoulders.

      Sebastian wore a high-collared jacket over a white shirt, and he cut a dashing figure. My husband and Jarrod both wore new tunics with long sleeves, and they looked well too.

      The hall was clean and properly arranged. There were white cloths on the table along with porcelain plates, silver cutlery, and pewter goblets. I’d made centerpieces from wild growing roses and lilacs. For tonight, I’d had the cheerful spaniels housed in the barracks with several of the guards who’d promised to look after them.

      My gaze drifted to the guests: Lord Allemond, his wife, Rosamund, and his brother, Phillipe. Several of the Volodane guards stood discreetly near the walls, along with several of the Monvílles’. This was customary.

      Lord Allemond glanced at the table several times with what I could only describe as consternation. He was a striking man, in his late forties with an impressive head of waving silver hair. Lady Rosamund had once been considered lovely, but now her generous curves were thickening and her face was heavily lined. She wore diamonds and a velvet gown of dark green.

      With a deep breath, I stepped forward and entered the hall.

      Allemond was the first one to see me, followed shortly by everyone else, but I couldn’t help a stab of satisfaction at the flicker of uncertainty that passed over his face. “Megan?”

      He recovered quickly.

      I smiled and held out one hand—as my mother would have done. “My lord. It’s been too long.”

      Jarrod stared at me as well. He’d never seen me with my hair down loose or wearing a v-neck dress.

      Lady Rosamund must have been equally surprised by the sight of me, but she was a creature of my mother’s ilk and showed nothing besides false pleasure. “Megan,” she said, kissing my cheek. “We were saddened to hear of your sister’s passing and surprised to hear of your marriage.”

      Her words were intended as sharp barbs, to point out that I was a secondary replacement in an unfortunate match, and even so, only here by virtue of my sister’s death. I smiled and kissed her in return. “Thank you for your kind thoughts. It’s so good to have guests in the hall.”

      Phillipe, who was younger than his brother, leaned over and kissed my hand. “My dear,” he said, although in my entire life, he’d never taken notice of me before.

      At the sight of this, Rolf’s face darkened, which surprised me. I’d hardly thought him capable of feeling jealousy. Perhaps it was merely ownership.

      “Shall we all sit and enjoy some wine before dinner?” I asked.

      This was the signal for everyone to be seated. Wine was always served before dinner at these gatherings. Jarrod said nothing and took his cues from me. He sat at the head of the table, and I made suggestions for everyone else.

      Smiling at Lady Rosamund, I said, “I fear we are outnumbered by the men.”

      At this, even her expression flickered with uncertainty. She’d sat across from me at a table many times, and she’d certainly never heard me attempt a playful comment. Until that moment, I’d not realized how much I had changed. Though it was not a change I’d wanted or asked for, I had been greatly altered by the expectations of Jarrod and even quiet Rolf. He never made requests, but I knew he wanted me to please his father.

      As we all took our seats, Lord Allemond examined the porcelain dishes and pewter goblets.

      “From Chaumont Manor, I assume?” he posed, sounding every inch a snob.

      “Part of my dowry,” I answered diplomatically, “and I think they grace my new father’s table well.”

      Allemond shifted in his chair. It was clear that none of this was playing out as he’d expected. He’d most likely expected to find me a shadow of my painfully quiet former self, abused and cowed by the brutes of Volodane Hall. He’d expected an embarrassing show on Jarrod’s part in attempting to host a dinner—a peasant with money playing at being a lord.

      Betty and Matilda poured wine. It was from the best cask my parents had sent, but I made a mental note to talk to Jarrod soon about acquiring more. He would need decent wine if he planned to continue entertaining.

      Phillipe and Lady Rosamund both took a sip, and I could see they were not pleased at its good quality.

      Not long after, the fish course arrived. Again, Betty and Matilda quietly served.

      I was so nervous that I wasn’t certain how much I could eat, but I did taste the salmon. It was perfect, just barely cooked through and still slightly moist. Lord Allemond tasted it and the displeased expression on his face brought me an embarrassing amount of satisfaction. He’d not expected the food to be perfect.

      Glancing down the table, I could see Jarrod enjoying his guests’ smug disappointment. Seeing that, I tried to amend my attitude. It was unkind to take pleasure in the discomfort of others. But I knew my role here.

      After that, as further courses were served, Sebastian took over the conversation. Neither Jarrod, Rolf, or Kai had anything to say to the Monvílles, but Sebastian was better at small talk, and he kept our guests suitably entertained. Lady Rosamund hung on his every word, and I couldn’t help noticing how her eyes continued to move from his hair, over his face, and down to his arms.

      Poor Kai appeared especially uncomfortable in the mix, and he brightened only once when Phillipe spoke to him directly. “I’m sorry I didn’t arrange any matches for entertainment here tonight. There wasn’t time, but I’ve always been astonished watching you in the ring at Partheney.”

      I had no idea what he meant by “match” or “ring,” but Kai actually smiled at him. “Thank you. Next time perhaps. We have plenty of room here.”

      Before I could learn more about this, Rolf entered the conversation to ask about their wheat crop.

      Somehow, we made it to dessert. No one had mentioned the land deal as of yet, but I knew the men would not discuss it over the table.

      Then, just as we were finishing strawberry tarts with cream sauce, one of the Monvílle guards carried in a small harp. Watching this, Allemond frowned at his wife.

      “Oh, my dear,” she said, sound strained. “I had quite forgotten.”

      They must have given the guard instructions earlier.

      “You brought a harp?” Sebastian asked.

      That did seem odd.

      “Yes . . .” Lady Rosamund began. “As a wedding gift. We have not heard Megan play in some time and hoped to impose upon her.” She looked at Jarrod. “Forgive my presumption, but I did not think you would posses such an instrument here.”

      The Monvílles were then rewarded by the moment of discomfort on the part of the Volodanes, and I raced to think of what to say. No one had told

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