Donnel's Promise Read Online Free

but that has not been celebrated since—’ she hesitated, her eyes sliding sideways as if she might somewhere find rescue from the conversation — ‘for, for some time. When I was a girl, I recall it. These days we’re less — that is we’re not usually so — not that it isn’t—’ She came to a flustered halt.
    Risha adjusted her expression and arranged her words carefully. ‘I do appreciate the effort everyone has gone toon my behalf, but it must be quite tiring to forego your usual routines.’ She judged Shallie the least likely to be offended by this suggestion, and watched closely for a reaction.
    It was guarded. ‘Verony is enjoying herself.’
    Before Risha could reply a rider appeared and, at sight of them, turned from the road. She watched as the boy dismounted. He looked vaguely familiar. ‘If you’ll excuse me a moment, Shallie.’
    Nolan looked up as she approached. ‘It’s a message from the castle, my lady. Pel works in the stables.’ The boy ducked his head in assent.
    ‘A message for you, Captain?’
    ‘No, lady,’ the lad answered, staring earnestly from beneath a scruffy mop of dark hair. ‘I was told to find you and tell you “convening”. I don’t know what it means.’
    ‘Who sent you?’
    He shrugged apologetically. ‘I had it from one of the undercooks. She just said I was to get to you quick as I could.’
    She glanced at the chestnut gelding the boy had ridden. ‘Whose horse is this?’
    Pel’s eyes slid between them. ‘Captain’s horse, lady. Asked for him this morning. Dunno why he changed his mind.’ He shot Nolan an accusatory look.
    ‘My first choice,’ Nolan confirmed.
    ‘Might we swap mounts, Pel?’ she asked. ‘You would be slower getting back — perhaps you should eat something to sustain yourself?’
    His eyes flicked towards the tables, his lower lip caught between his teeth.
    ‘Captain, will you ride with me? Of course, you’llhave to divide your escort: we must not, after all, leave the ladies undefended.’
     
    The Council was in session when Risha marched into the chamber. ‘Gentlemen. My apologies: I was unavoidably delayed.’
    Eyes met furtively across the table.
    Extra chairs lined the walls. Choosing one, Risha set it at the end of the table, directly facing Athan. The councillors to her right and left — Morrel and Ortun — hastily adjusted their seats to give her room.
    ‘Lady Arishara, we really hadn’t expected—’
    ‘I had,’ she cut across him, ‘I had expected my Council to let me know when they met. I had expected them to involve me with enthusiasm, to help me learn how matters of governance are handled in Havre. I had not expected clandestine meetings when you thought me safely out of the way.’
    There was a fraught silence. Risha lowered her voice. ‘You really should have sent me further than Little Havre, Convenor Athan, if you hoped to remove me from the scene.’
    ‘Good lady, I assure you that was not at all my intent. I—’
    ‘Oh, but I think it was. Councillors.’ Her gaze swept the room. Vormer matched her look boldly, Athan’s glare was defensive. ‘Did you think me a silly girl, incapable of intelligent thought?’
    One or two sets of eyes dropped hastily to the table.
    ‘You will discover that I am not.’ She glanced at Feron. He gave a barely perceptible nod. ‘I do not intend to interfere, gentlemen, but I do intend to learn. Please proceed.’
    With a good deal of awkwardness, Athan continued the meeting. Risha listened intently as harbour management , river trade, infrastructure in the northwest of the duchy and a proposed system of stormwater drains for the castle were debated. If the topics discussed had been hastily edited, she had no way of knowing. As it was, there was no reason why Athan should not have wanted her present. If, indeed, it had been Athan’s suggestion.
    Her eyes shifted to Vormer. His face had a faintly reptilian cast, the lazy eyelids, the thin-lipped mouth. As if he felt