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“What about that jeweled dagger? The one that was once Lady Catherine’s?” asked Maira.
“Oh, that dagger wasn’t hers. Not at first.”
“Sir Jacob said he gave it to her.”
“Aye. It once belonged to Sir Jacob’s late mother. He treasured the blade more than anything. We all knew he really loved Lady Catherine when he gave it to her at their betrothal.”
“So they were really almost married?”
“Aye and nay.” Cleo ate the cheese and followed it down with more wine before she continued. “They were betrothed by word of mouth, but the announcements were never posted. Before that could happen, Lord Emery died, and Sir Gregory swooped in and took over.”
“Just like that?” said Maira.
“Sir Gregory is a man known for getting exactly what he wants.”
“Well, he’s not going to get everything he wants.” Maira threw the bread down on the table and stood up in a huff.
“What do you mean, my lady?”
“I’m not going to marry him and that’s all there is to it.”
“Can you do that? I thought you were betrothed?”
“I was, but as soon as my father finds out what this man is like, he will break the betrothal.”
“Then you need to get a message to your father quickly.”
“Morag and Branton left here and are going to tell him. They’ll stop in Rothbury where they’ll send a missive to him in Whitehaven.”
“Whitehaven? A messenger will never be able to get there and back before your wedding. The High Sheriff has told us to prepare the wedding feast and that in three days’ time you will be married to him.”
Maira walked over and picked up her crown from the dressing table. She ran a finger over the gemstones, thinking about the promise she’d been given as a child. “The late king told me that it was our grandmother’s wish – Queen Philippa that my cousins and I would be able to agree whom we marry. But it looks as if the High Sheriff is going to change that as well.”
“Was that the queen’s crown?” asked Cleo.
“Aye, it was. She left each of us a crown and this heart brooch.” Maira moved her hair aside and showed Cleo the brooch. Cleo’s mouth fell open and her hand stilled. The bread dropped to the table.
“That brooch. I know it well,” said Cleo in a soft voice.
“How could you?” asked Maira. “There are only a few of them and each of them has been a present from the late queen.”
Cleo stood up and put her hand in her pocket. She held it out and opened it. Maira’s eyes focused upon a heart brooch resting in her palm.
“You, Cleo? You have one, too?”
“I was once a chosen one as well,” said the woman in a near whisper.
“Chosen for what?” Maira tested her, waiting for the answer before she continued to speak.
“I’m a Follower of the Secret Heart just like you, Lady Maira.”
It shocked Maira to hear the woman say the right words. At first she thought mayhap Cleo had found the brooch or stolen it but by the tears in the woman’s eyes, she knew her story was true.
“I don’t understand,” said Maira. “How could you have been chosen? You’re just a commoner.”
“Less than that, I’m a servant,” said Cleo. “The good queen gave me the brooch right after I stopped her from eating tainted meat one day. I used to cook for the king and queen many years ago.”
“You did?”
