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“Aye. I knew something was wrong, and I tasted the meat myself before I served it. I became deathly ill, but was able to stop the meal from being served. When the queen found out that I risked my life to save hers, she not only paid dearly for the best physicians to heal me, but she made me a member of her secret group. She said I was a strong woman and someday would do honorable and memorable things.”
“And did you?” asked Maira excitedly. “Did you stop a war like Fia, or stop a thief like my cousin, Willow?”
“Nay. I did nothing,” said the woman sadly, stroking the brooch in her hand. “I became pregnant with the kennelgroom’s baby. When Harold died on a hunt by accident, I could no longer bear to stay. I left and came here to work as a cook.” Tears fell from her eyes. “I don’t deserve this brooch, Maira. After Harold died, I would have killed myself if I hadn’t been pregnant with Tommy. I had no will to live. Take the brooch. I don’t deserve it.”
“Nay. You put that brooch back, but not in your pocket. You wear it proudly on your chest instead.”
“I’m afraid to do that,” said Cleo. “If the High Sheriff sees it, he’ll accuse me of stealing it and he’ll punish me. Or he’ll take it for himself.”
“You’re right,” said Maira, putting her hand around the woman’s shoulders. “But don’t worry, because soon Sir Gregory will be gone and Sir Jacob will be lord of the castle like he should have been in the first place.”
“What are you saying, my lady? Sir Jacob is an outcast and has also been excommunicated from the church. He has no title or lands at all.”
“He is also going to change all that and I am going to help him do it.”
“What do you mean? What can you do that could bring about such a difference?”
“I will tell you all about it, but not yet,” said Maira. “But when the time comes, I may need to count on you to be strong and to help us.”
“I would do anything to see Sir Jacob back in the castle and Sir Gregory gone.”
“Then tell the other servants to stand by because this might take help from all of you to make it happen.”
“Are you going to lead some kind of revolt against Sir Gregory, my lady?”
“Not me, Cleo. But I know someone else who will.”
