Page 84 of The Pumpkin Bride

“Was he kind, this squire?” Jask asked.

Well, that was an odd question. “Very. With tears in his eyes, he handed me a letter and said he was sorry. He turned on his heel and hurried away. It was sealed with the royal Harvest Hollow signet, and I knew.”

The first line of the letter caused her knees to turn to aspic. Bess had been helpful to Marigold in that moment. Her lady’s companion helped her to her rooms, offered a prayer for Bram’s immortal soul, then left her in the dark.

“That must have been difficult.”

“To say the least.”

“What did the letter say?” Jask asked.

“Prince Crispin had personally written to say that his company had encountered an enemy, and that he’d spare me the details but wanted me to know that Bram had been courageous. That Crispin had tried to save him, but Bram ran ahead, fearless and foolish, and disappeared.”

“That craven wretch,” Jask uttered.

“Bram?” She held firm to the railing. “Or the prince?”

“Always the prince,” Jask splintered a staircase spindle.

“So, to respond to what you said—”

Jask held up a hand. “You don’t owe me a response, Marigold. That was mean-spirited jealousy talking, and I’m embarrassed I said it.”

“No, Jask, I want you to hear this.” The railing bit the backs of her fingers. “I didn’t give people a chance to know my pain and let them stand with me. To help me through it. But I should have. This time here with you . . . you’ve taught me that people are good for the soul.”

“Not all people.” He folded his arms.

On this, they could agree. “No, not all. But many.”

He closed his eyes, then rolled his neck. “Hosting a festival here will enrage Prince Crispin. He’ll take it as a challenge to his minimal benevolence.”

“True.” Her smile widened.

“Which is a point in its favor.” He climbed a step.

She descended one step. “It will bring people who may gawk.”

“A point against.” The next step groaned under his weight.

“It will also bring children and their sense of wonder.”

His rigid back softened. “I’ve not seen a child for a very long time.”

“I promise you they are as appealing as ever.”

He climbed another step. “Two points in favor.”

Her heart thumped an extra beat. She had a weak spot for people who liked children.

“There’s one more thing that’ll seal your opinion in favor.” She descended. With their height difference, they now saw eye to eye. “I’ll get to show off the dance I’ve learned.”

She slipped her hands onto his shoulders.

He belted his arms around her waist. “Then we shall host a Goldenmoon Festival of our own. I’ll ask Alfred to secure a headwrap for you.”

Chapter 23

Bram tapped the head of the hammer against his thigh. It was a testament to how much of a pig’s ear he’d made of things last night that he’d agreed to host the Goldenmoon Festival next week and let all of Harvest Hollow trample his farm.