Page 59 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian felt the beginning of a headache. “I think not, my lady. I’m perfectly satisfied with Winifred and her helpers.”

Kimbra opened her mouth to reply and left it hanging open when Sir Brody entered the hall carrying a fragile but beaming Lady Marianne. Little Lora skipped behind them, dragging the doll Elissa had made for her from rags and straw.

Damian stood. “Welcome, Lady Marianne. We’re pleased to have you join us tonight.”

Lora let loose a shriek and threw herself at Damian. He lifted her high in the air, then seated her on his right.

“Who are these people?” Kimbra asked disdainfully.

Damian ignored her as he bade Sir Brody to seat Marianne next to her daughter.

“That child is too young to eat with adults,” Kimbra complained. “Who are they, and what are they doing at the high table?”

Damian waited until Marianne was seated before offering an introduction.

“Lady Marianne, allow me to present Lady Kimbra, my intended bride. Kimbra, this is Lady Marianne Fraser and her daughter Lora.”

Lady Marianne nodded her head graciously, which Kimbra chose to ignore.

“Since this is to be my home, please explain why these people are taking advantage of my hospitality.”

“Lady Marianne and Lora are Lady Elissa’s mother and sister. This is their home.”

“Why are they still here? ’Twas my understanding that the traitor’s family had been properly disposed of.”

“Look around you, my lady. You’re surrounded by Frasers.”

“But to harbor the wife and children of a known traitor is a treasonous act in itself. Whatever would the king say?”

“Let me worry about the king, Lady Kimbra. Lady Marianne and Lora are recovering from grave illnesses. Getting them well is my prime concern.”

“Why should you care?” Kimbra challenged.

“Be careful what you say, my lady,” Damian warned.

Kimbra assumed a repentant look as she directed her gaze to her plate and folded her hands in her lap, but Damian was not fooled. It was apparent that his volatile bride-to-be was fuming inside. Then he spied Elissa and a devil inside him prodded him to say, “Elissa, there’s an empty seat beside your mother. I think she’d be pleased to have you join us.”

Elissa was startled by Damian’s invitation. Didn’t he know his sudden interest in her would infuriate Lady Kimbra? She considered refusing, then changed her mind. After a moment’s hesitation, she calmly seated herself in the chair Damian had indicated. The food was delicious; Elissa thought Winifred had outdone herself. Those partaking of the meal quickly devoured the first course, consisting of saddle of mutton and sirloin of beef.

A fricassee of chickens and pigeons and spinach followed. The third course consisted of poached salmon, fried sole and sweetbreads, and an assortment of green vegetables. Custards and pies concluded the meal. The great feast had been ordered by Damian to honor Lady Kimbra’s arrival. The lady appeared not at all impressed.

Elissa’s temper ignited as she watched Kimbra push her food around her plate with her fork. Elissa had helped in the kitchen earlier and knew how hard Winifred and her helpers had worked to provide the feast Damian had requested. She wanted to berate Kimbra soundly, but Damian beat her to it.

“Is the food not to your liking, Lady Kimbra?” Damian asked curtly.

“The beef was too well done and the mutton raw. I prefer my sole poached and I do not like salmon at all. The custard lacked sufficient vanilla and was runny,” she added, pushing her plate away for emphasis. “I require perfection in my kitchen.”

“I should like to retire,” Marianne said, forestalling Damian’s reply to Kimbra’s complaints. “’Tis been wonderful sharing a meal with my kinsmen, but in the future, Lora and I will dine in my chamber. I donna wish to cause dissention in your household, my lord.”

Damian rose, waving Sir Brody aside as the steward moved to convey Marianne to her chamber. “I will carry Lady Marianne to her room,” he said. “Come along, Lora.”

He lifted Marianne into his arms and strode off as if she weighed nothing. Sir Brody hesitated a moment, then trailed behind Damian. Lora followed in their wake.

“You should follow your mother’s example,” Kimbra said in an aside to Elissa. “’Twas a most uncomfortable situation. I shall ask Lord Damian to remove all three of you from my home. The king will be displeased to learn that Lord Damian is harboring a traitor’s family beneath his roof.”

“Remaining at Misterly is not my choice,” Elissa explained. “I’ve begged Lord Damian to let me leave, but he refuses.”

“Mayhap I can be of some assistance,” Kimbra whispered slyly. “Let me think on your dilemma.”