Donnel's Promise Read Online Free Page A

her gaze, he swung his head to look at her. Recalling her vision of his hands gloved in blood, she looked away.
    ‘Convenor, might I have a word?’ They had arisen to depart, the meeting officially at an end.
    Athan’s lips tightened. ‘Of course.’
    She could feel the eyes that followed them as he led her to his study.
    ‘My apologies if I caused you embarrassment, Convenor; it was not my intention. But I am afraid I fail to understand why you would have chosen to exclude me.’
    He spread his hands. ‘It simply did not occur to me that such discussions would interest you, my lady. In future I shall inform you, of course, but—’
    ‘Thank you, Convenor Athan. That will allow me to decide for myself whether I need attend all such meetings. For the moment, learning as much as possible about the governance of Havre appears a sensible course.’
    She could see him battling his annoyance.
    ‘I do not intend interfering for the sake of it, Convenor,’ she said more gently. ‘But perhaps you mightdo me the courtesy of supposing that any contributions I do make might be worthy of a hearing.’
    He said nothing, but bowed his head stiffly.
    ‘Then that is settled.’ She smiled. ‘And I do find myself with a small favour to ask.’
    His reaction was wary. ‘Of course, Lady Arishara.’
    ‘While I appreciate the effort you’ve put into making me welcome, I’m afraid that parlour games have never been my strong suit. Do you think I will cause offence if I do not attend all the events Verony has scheduled?’
    ‘I … will speak with her.’
    She didn’t blame him his hesitance. With a bright smile she made to leave, but turned at the door. ‘One more thing.’
    He looked pained.
    ‘My father, Lord Donnel, spoke of a woman who was much loved by my mother. I had hoped I might speak with her.’
    ‘Your mother had many friends.’
    ‘The one he mentioned was her nurse, Nannet. I believe my mother called her Nonno.’ Athan’s face shifted a fraction. ‘Is she still alive, do you know?’
    ‘Alive, yes, but … her mind is unsound. Talking would only distress you both.’
    ‘In what way unsound? Do you mean forgetful with old age?’
    ‘Fanciful rather than forgetful. Her reality is not quite as ours, Lady Arishara.’
    Risha had seen it happen. In Torfell there had been an old man who had ended his days babbling nonsense. But Nonno? From Risha’s earliest memories, Nonno had been a presence in her mind. It had been she who,after Pelon’s death, had set the idea of travelling south in Risha’s head, or so it had seemed. But there had been no messages from Nonno since Westlaw’s siege, two years ago this autumn. ‘I have seen how such fancies can affect older people,’ she said slowly, ‘but there are sometimes lucid periods.’
    ‘At first, perhaps, but …’ Athan shrugged. ‘Nannet always insisted you were alive, which has happily proved not to be the fancy most assumed.’ His smile was tight. ‘But some years ago her imaginings became quite wild: she would have had us believe that you were being murdered by brigands one day and drowned the next; she proclaimed you imprisoned, then hunted, then lost in the marsh. She would disrupt Council meetings — it was too much. We had her put away.’
    Guilt swelled in Risha’s chest: easy to identify her turbulent journey from Torfell to LeMarc in that summary. Nonno had told them the truth and they had responded by locking her up.
    ‘Please, do not misunderstand me,’ Athan added. ‘The Council honours the woman’s role as your mother’s nurse and she is well cared for, I assure you. You need not concern yourself further.’
    He was not going to tell her. And she would not give the Council reason to trouble Nonno again. She forced a smile. ‘It matters not. There are surely others who knew my mother well. Your wife among them, I believe?’
    ‘She would be most happy to speak with you on the subject. I will remind her.’
     
    Timon was waiting in