Page 18 of Haunted Hearts

Five

“My lord,this missive just arrived for you.” Barnaby stopped him in the courtyard with a folded-up piece of parchment in his hand. It was dark outside since the moon was hiding behind clouds, and Blaze wouldn’t be able to read it here.

“A messenger just delivered it? This late?” asked Blaze in confusion. Who in their right mind would send a messenger out at night? Especially so near All Hallows’ Eve which was coming up in a few days’ time.

“It surprised me too,” said Barnaby.

“Is it from the Earl of Birmingham?” asked Blaze, feeling nervous and excited at the same time. He had been waiting for a reply from the earl since his father’s funeral. Blaze’s father had been the earl’s head knight, so of course Earl Cyriac of Birmingham attended the services. It was only because of the earl’s presence that the church even let his father be buried on consecrated ground. Blaze was thankful for the man’s help. His father deserved a proper burial.

Blaze had approached the earl afterwards about being knighted and taking over his father’s position. Or any position of knight, actually. Five long years had given Blaze the opportunity to finish his training on his own.

The earl had told him he’d think about it and let Blaze know his answer soon. Blaze hoped it wasn’t just a brush-off. He also hoped this missive wasn’t the earl turning him down.

“Nay, my lord, it’s not from the earl,” said his steward. “A messenger from Alderwood Castle delivered it.”

“Alderwood?” This took Blaze’s interest more than anything. “Let me see that,” he said, taking the folded parchment from the man and walking over to a torch to break the wax seal and read it in the firelight. He had no idea why he’d be receiving a missive from there. Part of him hoped it was from Lillith. After seeing her and kissing her today, he’d been able to think of nothing else.

“What’s that, Blaze? Is someone sending you a missive?” His mother moseyed out of the manor, not caring that she was in plain view of anyone.

“Mother,” he said, blowing a puff of air from his mouth. “I thought I told you to stay inside.”

“Lady Minerva, I didn’t know you’d returned,” said Barnaby in surprise, bowing to the woman.

“Yes, I’m here to stay. Even though my son would rather keep me hidden,” scoffed Minerva.

“Thank you, Barnaby,” said Blaze, dismissing the man. He decided there was no use now trying to keep his mother’s presence a secret, or even trying to send her away. It was obvious she was going nowhere and Blaze didn’t want to fight her on it. Some of his servants as well as his guards were already curiously looking in their direction. Hushed conversations started up and Blaze knew exactly what they were about. Orvyn walked out of the stable, hurrying over and half-bowing.

“My lord and lady,” said Orvyn. “I’m so happy that Lady Minerva’s presence is no longer a secret.”

“Believe me, it’s not by my doing,” grunted Blaze, quickly scanning the contents of the parchment.

“What does the missive say?” asked Minerva. “And who is it from?”

“It’s from Alderwood Castle,” said Orvyn before Blaze could even answer. He didn’t bother asking Orvyn how he knew. The stables were near the front gate. Nothing escaped Orvyn’s attention.

Blaze read the rest of the missive and his lips pursed up into a smile.

“Is it good news or bad?” asked Minerva.

“I’d say it’s good news since Lord Blaze is smiling.” Once again, Orvyn answered.

Blaze sighed and folded the missive back up. “Orvyn, since you’re only going to start gossip about this missive if I don’t tell you its contents, I’m just going to reveal to you what it’s all about.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that. It’s really none of my business,” said Orvyn, his eyes roaming back to the missive. “Unless you want to, of course.”

“Well, I want him to tell us,” said Minerva sternly. “Son, what do the Bonnels want with us? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s trouble.”

“Nay, actually it’s not,” he enjoyed saying to his mother. “They want to form an alliance with us to end the feud.”

“An alliance? End the feud?” asked Orvyn, nodding in surprise. “That’s good. Right?”

“Exactly what kind of alliance?” asked Minerva suspiciously, looking from the corners of her eyes.

“Lord Arthur Bonnel – the new lord of the castle, has offered me the hand of his niece in marriage,” answered Blaze, feeling as if things were finally starting to look up after all.

“Marriage? Really? That’s exceptional, my lord,” said Orvyn giving his approval, even though Blaze couldn’t care less what the man thought.

“His niece?” asked Minerva. “Which one? He has two, you know.”