Page 5 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“Enough of all this talking,” scolded Devon. “I think we should all celebrate their betrothal with a sweetmeat and a glass of wine.” Offering them the candied fruits, she held out the tray.

“My lady, that is the task of a servant, not a noblewoman,” said Irwin under his breath.

“Nonsense,” said Lady Devon. “I enjoy serving my guests.”

“She does,” added Corbett with a smile and a wink at his wife. “After all, she was once my servant and can’t seem to stop waiting on everyone.”

“You were a servant?” asked Hope in surprise, thinking she must have heard him wrong. After all, nobles never did the menial tasks of servants.

“It was before she discovered she was really a noblewoman.” Corbett took the tray from his wife and handed it to a server boy passing by. “Lord Irwin, will you stay for a bite to eat before you take to the road?” asked Corbett.

“Aye, I will,” said Irwin. “If you don’t mind I’d like to stay here for at least a sennight and possibly even a fortnight, to make sure Lady Hope gets accommodated to things here.”

“Nay, it’s not necessary, I assure you,” Hope protested. She didn’t want Irwin anywhere near her. The further away from him the better. “Besides, my sister, Grace, is in the wagon, here by my request. She’ll be staying with me so there is no need for you to be here, too.”

“Your sister?” asked Corbett raising a brow. “I didn’t know there would be two of you. Actually, three now, with Lord Irwin,” he mumbled into his tankard as he took a swig of ale.

“I hope it isn’t too much of an inconvenience. If so, I suppose we could make other arrangements.” Hope flashed him one of her sweetest smiles. If he said her sister couldn’t stay, she didn’t know what she’d do. She needed Grace for support – and to help keep Lord Irwin away from her.

“Nonsense,” said Lady Devon, laying her hand on Hope’s shoulder. “I think it’ll be fine. Don’t you, Corbett?” Devon asked her husband.

“Well, I – I don’t know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “When I agreed to be guardian to Hope, I didn’t know I was agreeing to house two more people as well.”

“It’s only for a while,” said Devon.

“That’s right. And the house of Blake and the house of Threston are now allies,” pointed out Sir Irwin.

“Having allies in this time and age is a good thing,” agreed Devon. “Now, Lady Hope, take me to meet your sister. I don’t want her sitting outside in the cold and in a wagon nonetheless. Let’s get her in here to warm her bones by the fire.” Devon put her hand on Hope’s shoulder and directed her to the entrance of the hall. But as they exited the room, she stopped in her tracks, almost bumping into the little boy. Noah bounded down the stairs with Orrick right behind him.

“Noah, watch where you’re going and stop your running inside the castle,” called out Orrick as he descended the stairs. Then he saw the girl who he thought would have left by now. “Lady Hope,” he acknowledged her with a nod.

“Orrick, Noah is just a boy,” said Devon, gathering the lad into her arms and hugging him against her in a motherly way. “I’m sure you were just as excitable when you were his age.”

“Probably more so,” mumbled Orrick, wanting to forget about his childhood. It was mostly a blur to him appearing in his nightmares and not much else. “Well, goodbye, Lady Hope, and nice to have met you. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“Oh, I’m not leaving, Orrick,” she told him, using his name now that she’d heard it. “We’re only on our way to the courtyard to collect my sister.”

“Not leaving?” Orrick asked in question. “Why not?”

“Orrick, I’m surprised Corbett didn’t tell you,” said Devon. “Lady Hope is going to be our ward.”

“What?” Orrick’s head snapped around to look at the lady of the castle. “She’s staying? For good?”

“For now,” said Devon. “At least until her wedding.”

“Wedding? What wedding?” His eyes traveled back to the beautiful young woman once more. “I didn’t know you were to be married.”

“Aye, she’s betrothed to Lord Irwin Ash of Norfolk,” said Lady Devon. “Isn’t that nice?”

“Aye. Nice,” said Orrick, feeling the information hit him like a punch to the gut.

“Excuse us,” said Devon, taking Hope by the arm, chatting with her as they headed toward the courtyard.

“Orrick, can you show me how you light a candle with just the wave of your hand?” asked Noah, tugging at Orrick’s sleeve. “Or how about turning a bird into a stone statue? Can you do that for me?”

“Not now,” grumbled Orrick, noticing Corbett flagging him down from the opposite side of the great hall. “Go see if you can help in the kitchen with the meal. I need to talk to Lord Corbett. If you behave, I might suggest to him that he make you a page.”

“A page?” The boy made a face, seeming less than excited at the suggestion. “Does that mean I can’t be your apprentice anymore?”