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“Us Oakdens have served the barons of Kentigern for near five generations,” she started belligerently, thrusting out her chin.

Aimee gazed back at her, feeling mystified. “I see,” she lied after a moment. “Do you have children, Ingrid?”

“Two sons,” Ingrid replied grudgingly. “They’s had to take on other work since Bartree Castle fell.”

“What are they doing now?” Aimee asked with interest. She had often wondered what became of the staff and retainers who must have lost their positions.

“Wylie works as a farm laborer, and Elton’s working for a cooper in Vettel.”

“Do they like their new roles? Or will they want to return once Bartree Castle is restored?”

Hope flared for a moment in Ingrid’s eyes. “The elder would be back like a shot,” she said quickly. “My younger son’s different. Settled into town life, he has. He likes delivering the cooper’s wares and he’s courting some maid, but Elton follows his father, the gods rest his soul. Farming ain’t in his blood.”

Aimee nodded. “Well, the gods willing, you will have six generations of Oakdens serving at Bartree,” she said, stepping around the old woman. “When the castle reopens, I am sure the previous servants will be reinstated there, if they wish it.”

“What about me?” Ingrid demanded whirling around. “And that worrisome old maid, Mistress Freda. What’s to become of us now? That’s what I want to know!”

Aimee looked back at her in exasperation. “I am very fond of Freda, and she will always have a home in my household. If you wish to remain serving Mistress Magnatrude, then you can accompany her to court, but should you wish to –”

“It’s the Baroness Kentigern I’s always served!” Ingrid burst out hotly.

“Very well, then,” Aimee responded calmly. “Long may you continue to.”

Ingrid opened and closed her mouth, then gave a brusque nod. “Milady,” she muttered and stomped off down the corridor. Aimee watched her a moment before swinging open the door to the oaken parlor. Freda was stood beside the fire, wringing her hands.

“Did you mean it, Aimee?” she asked tearfully as she entered the room, and Aimee realized she must have heard every word of the exchange, including the part where Ingrid had referred to her as an old maid. “About my always having a home with you, I mean?”

“Of course, Freda,” Aimee assured her, joining her before the fire and taking her hand. “You must not worry about that.”

Freda’s narrow shoulders drooped, and she touched a scarf to her reddened eyes. “Well, you see, my only usefulness was in attending Trude, and with her gone …”

“Nonsense!” Aimee said bracingly. “You are very useful to me, Freda. Did I not just tell you that you are to oversee the running of this house next week?”

“Yes,” Freda quavered, brightening. “You did, did you not?”

“And you are to make sure my father does not become too lonely in the meantime. Perhaps you could send word to my sister’s house, inviting her and Sir Renlow to supper one evening? He must be sufficiently recovered from his injury by now to welcome a change of scenery.”

Freda’s expression wavered between uncertainty and alarm. “Oh, I should not wish to do anything presumptuous!” she exclaimed. “The first time your sister visits your house should be under your direction, Aimee, not mine!”

Aimee brushed this aside, steering Freda into a chair. “There will be plenty of time for me to entertain Ursula when I return from Beres Caple. Now, let us sit together quietly this evening and –”

A loud knock at the door interrupted them before it was smartly flung open by Unwin, who announced in a high, boyish voice, “Mistress Magnatrude Bartree!” then stood to one side.

Trude sailed into the room. “Very good, Unwin,” she approved and then swept back out again. Unwin hurried after her, swinging the door shut behind him.

Aimee turned to look at Freda whose jaw had dropped open. They were still laughing when Konrad joined them moments later.

“I am glad to see you so merry,” he said dropping onto a seat. “When you were both so quiet at supper.”

Aimee saw the glint in his eye and had a sudden misgiving that he must have found the hedgehog token she had left in his room. She cleared her throat. “Well,” she said lightly. “I think we were just letting the momentous news sink in. Is that not so, Freda?”

“Yes, indeed,” Freda answered backing her up at once. “Such a very great honor for the family,” she murmured vaguely.

Konrad shot his cousin a sardonic look. “You do not aspire to join the queen’s retinue, Freda? I’m sure Trude could put in a good word for you.”

Poor Freda blanched.

“I am sure we could not be expected to spare two members of our household,” Aimee put in quickly. “The queen would not expect us to make such a sacrifice.”