Page 28 of Lord of Misrule

Chapter 8

“It’s time to serve the cake,” Kit instructed, putting the final touches of sprinkled sugar atop the cooling fruit-and-nut cakes. The sweet and tangy aroma wafted up into the air. “Everyone take a platter of cakes and be sure to serve the nobles first,” she told the other bakers who were assisting her.

“Mother, is this cake for the Green Bean game?” asked her son, kneeling on a stool and reaching out to pluck a currant from atop one of the cakes. He popped it into his mouth and smiled. Then he snitched another currant and handed it to King who was begging under the table.

Kit giggled. Her son was so cute. “Parker, it is not a green bean, it is a dried bean that someone will find in their cake tonight. And yes, it is for the game. Now go and watch King so he doesn’t trip the servers on their way to the great hall with the cakes.” The boy had taken a liking to the dog. Lately the dog followed him just about everywhere he went. They were inseparable.

“Yes, Mother.” Parker skipped off with his new friend, King following on his heels.

“Kit, did you remember to put the bean in the batter?” Brenna waddled over, holding on to Oliver’s arm. Her face was flushed and she breathed heavily. The baby was getting closer to being born, and it made her sister very tired.

“Of course she did,” said Oliver. “Kit knows the rules of the game.”

“Actually, I didn’t do it. Yet.” Kit pulled the bean out of her pouch and held it between two fingers.

“Kit, you were supposed to put it in the batter,” said Brenna in shock. Her eyes opened wide. “We will be punished for that.”

“Nay, we won’t,” said Kit. “Don’t worry. I have a plan that involves this bean and it will solve all our problems.”

“What is it?” asked Oliver. “I don’t understand.”

“The rules of the game are that whoever finds this bean in their cake is Lord or Lady of Misrule until Twelfth Night.”

“Yes, but no one is going to find it if you haven’t put it in the cake,” said Oliver.

“It will be in the cake, don’t worry.” Kit grinned and pushed the bean into one of the small cakes that she’d kept on the side.

“Sister? What are you doing?” Brenna looked horrified.

“Oliver, go out into the great hall and sit down. Quickly. I am going to serve you this cake. Then you will announce to everyone that you have found the bean. You will be the Bean King.”

“I am? I will?” Oliver made a face, not understanding.

“Yes, you are going to be the winner,” said Kit. “Don’t you see? Once you find the bean, we will not have to worry about where we’ll live or the bakery shop or finding a job or anything ever again.”

“Kit, this makes no sense at all,” said Brenna. “Why not?”

“Because, Oliver will hold the power to tell the nobles to send us back to the bakery anon. Or he can have them give us money. Or possibly even a new home. We will have no more worries as soon as Oliver finds the bean. This is the answer to our prayers. Don’t you understand? Our troubles will be over and all because of this.” She held up the plate with the hand-sized cake on it and smiled.

“Oh, Kit, I hope you are right,” cried Brenna, still rubbing her belly.

“Do you really think this will work?” asked Oliver.

“I know it will.” Kit felt confident. Nothing was going to ruin her plan. Her son’s punishment by being here at the castle was to thank, because they were about to get everything they ever wanted.

“I would also like Oliver to hold a job at the castle,” said her sister excitedly. “And you to be able to hire enough help at the bakery so your business can flourish again.”

“We’ll have all that, and more.” Kit felt smug and she didn’t care. It might be dishonest, but then again, her son was being punished and blamed for something that he never even did. Her boy was not a thief. Life was about to smile on them. This was one of Lord Tolin’s games that she was about to win. “I have some ideas of more things we can demand from Lord Tolin and I’ll tell you about them later. Mayhap we can even get him to give Parker a dog of his own. I know that would be a wonderful present for my son.”

“I’m starting to like this idea,” said Oliver with a nod. “I’ve got my eye on a fine steed in the stables. I’ve never had a horse of my own, but would like to have one.”

“Then you shall have it,” said Kit, giving her promise.

“Oliver can ride it to his job at the castle every day,” added Brenna, getting swept up in the excitement now.

“Yes,” said Kit. “This is all going to be perfect. You see, before Twelfth Night is here, Lord Tolin will have made us the richest people in town. Now go! I will bring out the cake as soon as you sit down, Oliver.”

I’m going, I’m going,” said Oliver, taking off for the great hall at a near run.