Page 22 of Lord of Misrule

“You’ll crumble, just like the others. And Father will return to discover that you disappointed him too.”

Tolin stopped in his tracks and turned back to his brother. “I don’t disappoint Father. If I did, do you think he would put me in charge of the castle in his absence?”

“That does surprise the rest of us immensely,” said Daegel. “The only thing we can figure is that it is a test of some kind.”

“It’s not a test. It is because Father knows I am the only one capable of planning a successful string of celebrations from now until Twelfth Night.”

“Aye, that must be it. Now, let’s go joust so I can show you just how full of yourself you really are.”

“Kit, do you really think it was wise for us to come to watch the joust when there is so much yet to be done?” Brenna struggled to keep up with Kit as they made their way to the practice field. Her legs were a lot shorter than Kit’s. Her pregnancy being so advanced made it hard for her to walk at all.

“Parker wanted to watch the knights joust and I don’t see why he can’t.” Kit reached back for her son. “Parker, keep up. It is so crowded that I don’t want to lose you.” She took his hand in hers.

“I don’t want to watch the joust, I want to play with the dog,” the boy answered with a pout.

Brenna rubbed her belly and gave Kit a knowing glance. “Mmm hmm. It was Parker who wanted to be here. Right.”

Kit was caught in her lie and felt embarrassed that she hadn’t been honest from the start. “All right, I admit it, I was curious to see Tolin joust. Do you think he is any good?”

“Lord Tolin seems to be good at anything he does, if you haven’t noticed,” answered her sister. “Did you know that I overheard the servants talking. There isn’t a game he’s lost in years now. They say he is so competitive that if it looks like he might not win, he makes everyone keep playing until he does. He is a man who doesn’t tolerate losing.”

“He does seem to put a lot of importance on games, celebrating, and having fun. Especially when he wins. I believe the man has too much self-importance.”

“You say that like you are disgusted, but I can tell you’re not. Admit it. You like him, don’t you?” Brenna was direct and to the point.

“Brenna, please.” Kit glanced over at her sister and then down to her son. “This is a conversation for a later date.” She didn’t want Parker to hear this, but she also didn’t want to answer because she wasn’t sure yet what she thought or felt about Lord Tolin. All she knew was that he was handsome and sparked her interest with his passionate kiss. Then again, he did sentence her son for something he didn’t even do. She needed to be careful.

“All right. We will talk later,” said Brenna. “Oh, Kit, look!” She grabbed Kit’s arm. I see an open spot on the bench right up front. Let’s get it, fast. I cannot remain on my feet much longer.”

“No, not up there,” protested Kit, not wanting Tolin to know she was there watching him. Brenna hurried for the bench, anyway. Not wanting to lose her in the crowd, Kit followed her sister, taking Parker with her. They had just gotten seated when the herald announced that Lord Tolin was going to joust with his brother, Lord Daegel. Cheers and shouts went up from the crowd. It seemed as if Lord Tolin was a favorite on the jousting field. And with the ladies.

“Tolin will win, he always does,” said a woman nearby. “He is so strong and handsome.”

“I heard he kissed a servant under the kissing bough today,” said another woman behind her hand.

Kit gasped and tried to hide her face from them.

“I wish he’d kiss me under the kissing bough,” said the first woman. “Every girl in the castle hopes they will find the bean in their cake so they can order him to spend the day with them and kiss them under the mistletoe.”

“Find the bean? What does that mean?” Brenna had started up a conversation with the women and Kit wished she hadn’t. She didn’t want anyone to know she was the one who’d received the kiss. For some reason, it embarrassed her even though she didn’t understand why.

“The Bean King or Bean Queen is the one who finds a bean in their cake during the Christmas dinner,” the first servant girl explained. “It can be anyone. Even a servant, it doesn’t matter.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Brenna. “Why would they want to?”

“Don’t you know? The one who finds the bean has power,” explained the other girl.

“What kind of power?” asked Brenna.

“They can tell nobles what to do.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” said the first girl. “Until their rule is over, they can ask a noble for anything, and the nobles have to give it to them.”

“Their rule?” asked Kit, trying to get into the conversation without showing too much of her face. “What kind of things can they ask for?”

“Anything at all, until the end of their rule,” said the girl. “Until Twelfth Night, they can live like kings or queens for the first time ever. This is a very coveted position. I always wanted to find the bean but never have. But if I did, the first thing I’d do is to order Lord Tolin to kiss me.” She and her friend giggled at that, but the giggles were drowned out by the shouting of the crowd. Tolin had easily won the joust against his brother.