Page 57 of Lord of Misrule

“But you said Jarvis told you⁠—”

“What he told me wasn’t about what you did with my brother. It was something else altogether.”

“What?” asked Kit, feeling her heart sink. “Did Tolin say something about me? Please, I need to know.”

“Yes, I suppose you do,” said Raven. “Jarvis told me that Tolin said he felt sorry for you for all your loss lately. Also the reason he was with you was that he wanted you to feel some enjoyment in your life because you deserved it.”

“So he used me?” Kit was ready to start crying. “I see he doesn’t have feelings for me the way I do for him after all.

“I’m not sure Tolin can feel anything for a woman except lust. I’m sorry.” Raven turned and left the room.

“Brenna, you were right. I never should have gone to Lord Tolin’s solar. I must have just been feeling sorry for myself. I guess I deserve being used.”

“Kit, don’t be so hard on yourself. You didn’t know his plan. Lord Tolin seemed genuine. It sure looked like he really cared about you. I thought so too. He just fooled us, that’s all. I guess it is because he is so good at playing games.”

“Yes, I guess so,” said Kit, feeling sorely disappointed. “But I will not be fooled again. Brenna, pack your bags. We are leaving Blake Castle today.”

“Leaving? Nay, Kit. We have nowhere to go. I have no home where I can birth my baby.”

“You’re right again,” said Kit. “Never mind. I will find Parker and take him back to town, but you and Oliver stay here until the end of Twelfth Night, where you’ll be safe and warm and fed.”

“Nay, Kit,” said Brenna jumping up off the stool. “I won’t let you two leave without me. Oh!” she exclaimed, rubbing her belly.

“What is it, sister? What’s the matter?” asked Kit.

“Kit, you really can’t leave now.”

“Why not?” she asked, picking up a stack of dirty dishes.

“Because I’m scared to be here without you.”

“I want to see the damage that’s been done to our home,” Kit told her.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“Nay, you can’t. It’s not safe for you to travel right now. Brenna, your baby is due any day.”

“Then that is even more reason for you to stay here with me.”

“I promise I will return as soon as I secure a place for us to live while we are trying to rebuild the bakery.”

“Kit, we don’t have money to rebuild.” Tears filled Brenna’s eyes.

“I know,” said Kit. “That is why I am going to ask Raven for a favor before I leave.”

“You’re going to ask her for money?”

“Nay, of course not. I am going to ask her to help me send a missive to Ireland.”

“Ireland? You’re going to contact our parents?”

“Yes, I have to,” said Kit. “They are the only ones who can help us now.”

“They are also the ones who kicked us out and disowned us in the first place.”

“True,” said Kit with a nod. “But I thought about this hard and long. No mother can really be that cruel that she wouldn’t ever want to see her children again.”

“Ours was.”