Page 27 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

The old woman nodded sagely as she crunched through a second biscuit.

Linnet wondered distractedly how long it would take to rub the amethyst over her multitude of freckles. An age, no doubt! And how would she reach the ones on her back?

“I was wondering,” she said distractedly, “at how to build up my stamina.” She plunged on boldly. “Due to my confinement, I am easily tired and it seems my heart is not as weak as my uncle led me to believe.” At Mother Ames’s continued silence, she elaborated. “I can go up my tower and back down again and my heart still beats just as strongly without causing a faint.”

The older woman pondered this a moment as she helped herself to another cup of ale.

“Mayhap you should repeat this journey up and down your tower, several times a day.”

“How many times?”

“Today, twice. Tomorrow, four times. You catch my meaning?”

“Increasingly,” nodded Linnet. “That I can do.”

“You must carry on walking and riding and exert yourself over the coming weeks, for the trial ahead.”

“Trial?” asked Linnet with alarm.

“You will be tested,” nodded the old woman. “And you must pass that test.”

Linnet did not like the sound of that. “Sounds rather ominous,” she said nervously.

Mother Ames nodded. “Oh yes,” she muttered. “Ye have thrown your lot in with a pack of rowdy, quarrelsome beasts.”

“The Vawdreys?” asked Linnet with alarm. “Oh, but my brother-in-law seems very steady . . . He does not strike me as quarrelsome.”

“The smooth-faced one?” asked Mother Ames with interest. “Rides out beside your husband?”

“Yes.”

“I did not mean he,” she conceded. “But your true intended.”

“Sir Roland?” Linnet felt slight alarm. “Oh surely not!”

“He will stir up trouble, that one. And fall prey to the twin vipers that whisper in his ear . . . ”

“Vipers?”

“Jealousy and greed. And their sire, he is another will be angered by your match.”

Linnet sat back in her seat feeling concerned. “Baron Vawdrey?” She twisted her hands in her lap. “Oh dear. I do not think Mason has yet written to his father.” And it had been over a month they had been married now.

Mother Ames grunted. “An undutiful son.”

“Well, he has had much to do,” pointed out Linnet in defense of her husband. “After all, his father did send him to jilt me on Roland’s behalf!”

“Jilting is one thing, taking the bride for his own is another!” she drummed her walking stick against the flagstones to emphasize her words.

Linnet chewed on her bottom lip. “But that was my idea!” she protested.

“He will hardly admit as much to his sire. And none would believe it of you.”

“Then I shall tell them so!” said Linnet staunchly.

“Hah! He would not thank you for spreading such a story,” warned Mother Ames. “You have much to learn about men, little one.”

“That may be so,” conceded Linnet. “But learn I shall!”