Page 37 of Lord of Misrule

“That is Lord Rook’s pallet,” said Jarvis nodding toward the larger one. “And this one is mine.” He tossed the smaller one down on the floor.

“I don’t understand,” said Kit. “Why are you and Lord Rook going to sleep in here?”

“We’re not,” said Jarvis, nodding as the servants left the room. “They are for you and your family to use.”

“Really? But why?” she asked.

“To sleep on,” said Jarvis. “It is by the Lord of Misrule’s orders.”

“Oh,” she said, looking at the comfortable-looking pallets and all the soft pillows and blankets.

“Oliver has also been allowed to sleep inside the great hall by the fire from now on.”

“Oh,” she said again. “Thank you. But I don’t want to take Lord Rook’s bed. Or yours.”

“Lord Rook doesn’t live at Blake Castle, he’s just visiting. This is just the pallet he was using.”

“And his wife, Rose? And their baby? Please don’t tell me they are going to be sleeping on the floor now.”

“Nay. She’s sharing a bed with Raven and the children. But Raven’s husband Jonathon as well as Rook will be sleeping in the great hall by the fire along with me. I can’t say any of us are happy about it. Excuse me, I need to get the food that the cook packed up for the hunting trip.”

“Thank you,” she said softly, as the squire left.

“Kit, can you believe this?” asked Brenna, her eyes sparkling. “It will be so much more comfortable to sleep on this pallet rather than the floor. Mayhap my back will stop aching now.” With her hand on her large belly she slowly lowered herself atop the larger pallet to test it out.

“Is this my bed?” asked Parker, jumping atop the smaller pallet and hugging a pillow.

“Yes, Parker. I’ll share the larger one with Brenna, but that one can be yours.”

“I want to go to bed right now,” said Parker, snuggling into the blankets.

“Nay, you can’t,” she told him. “We need to pack to go on the hunting trip.”

“I’d rather stay here,” said Parker.

“Believe me, so would I, but we can’t.”

As much as Kit didn’t want to go along on the hunting trip, she almost felt as if she owed it to Tolin now. She had thought he was angry with her when she left. Especially since he made a big deal about never letting a commoner tell him what to do.

Mayhap the man had a heart after all. Of course, Rook and Jarvis were going to hate him. But like the games the man liked to play, this was no different. Tolin was still playing games, and this time using the title of the Lord of Misrule to get away with his silly decisions.

Then again, he’d made sure she and her family were comfortable. Mayhap his decisions weren’t so silly after all.

“The horses are ready my lord. Will there be anything else?” Oliver bowed before Tolin, having prepared things for the hunting trip.

“Yes. I want you to join the hunting party.”

“Me?” asked Oliver.

“Yes. Not to hunt, but to care for the horses until our return.”

“But my wife is here at the castle and about to give birth, my lord.”

“She will be fine,” Tolin assured him. “Lord Rook’s wife, Rose will be here. She has a child now so understands the needs of a pregnant woman. Plus, there is a midwife at the castle who will be checking in on her per my request.”

“Thank you, my lord, but I am new to the stables. Are you sure you want me along?”

“We’re here,” came Kit’s voice from behind him. “We’re ready to go as you instructed.” Kit had a bag over her shoulder and held her son’s hand. They were both dressed in traveling clothes and capes.