Page 64 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“Oh.”

He gestured towards a tall, severe woman dressed rather like a nun with a heavy white wimple. Her dress however was orange and decorated with gold thread. She gave a grimace, which Linnet supposed was to pass for a smile and then gestured with very long, white hands for Linnet to come to her.

“Gertrude, Cuthbert, you are with me,” said Linnet loudly.

Lady Doverdale halted. “We have only one bedchamber for you in our quarters,” she said crisply. “Your servants will need to join the castle servants below stairs.”

Linnet drew herself up to her full height. “Pardon me,” she said firmly. “But my page will sleep in a truckle bed at the foot of my bed and my maid will share with me.”

Lady Doverdale stood very still, and she and Linnet gazed at one another in silence for a moment, neither blinking, before she inclined her head in slow assent. “Very well, Lady Linnet, if that is your wish.”

“My name is Lady Vawdrey,” Linnet answered her sweetly. “And thank you Lady Doverdale for your hospitality.”

Lady Doverdale’s eyebrows rose and she turned on her heel, leading the way to her family’s quarters which were in the east wing.

Mason crossed the floor to Linnet and briefly took her hand, which he kissed almost as an afterthought. “Lock your door,” he said quietly. “And make sure you are accompanied at all times.”

He hesitated as if he would say something further but then seemed to change his mind and turned away from her to walk in the opposite direction. Two of the guards split off and accompanied him. Linnet watched until he was swallowed up in the shadows, and only then did she turn and follow Lady Doverdale. The other two guards followed on her heels.

“Where are my husband’s quarters?” she asked brightly when she had caught up with Lady Doverdale. She was determined not to let the situation get the better of her.

“That remains to be seen,” answered her hostess tartly.

“I thought his family had permanent rooms at court,” Linnet said, frowning.

Lady Doverdale shook her head. “I meant it remains to be seen if your marriage is legal and admissible.”

When Gertrude gave a gasp, Linnet frowned again and gave a slight shake of her head. “As to that Lady Doverdale,” she said with a confidence she did not feel. “I am in absolutely no doubt as to the veracity of my wedding vows, and so I shall tell the King.”

Lady Doverdale gave her a doubtful look, which Linnet answered with a smile. “Did you say it was the west wing?”

“I did not,” snapped the older woman. “I said nothing as to where the Vawdrey’s quarters are.”

“It is of no import,” yawned Linnet. “I will find out myself on the morrow.”

“You are a most impudent young woman,” snapped Lady Doverdale. “And not at all what I was led to expect.”

Linnet smiled. “I am quite sure,” she agreed drily. “I daresay my aunt has spread the tale I am some poor, timid invalid who may be bullied into anything. However, I am my own woman and in complete possession of my faculties, I assure you.”

Cuthbert’s hand slipped into hers as their footsteps echoed down the flagstone corridors, and some ten minutes later they were ushered into a wood-paneled bedchamber with a large four-poster bed covered in a scarlet bedspread.

“I will have fresh water and cloths fetched so you can wash after your journey,” said Lady Doverdale. “Your trunk will follow, so there are some nightgowns in the wardrobe for you to wear to bed tonight.”

“Thank you,” answered Linnet, unfastening her cloak.

“I will order a truckle bed brought in for your page in the morning,” sniffed Lady Doverdale as she backed out of the door with the briefest of curtsies.

“Sour old trout,” mumbled Gertie. “What did she mean?”

Linnet shushed her and nodded at Cuthbert, who flung himself in a chair before the fire, which still burned though it was low in the grate.

“I’m so tired!” he groaned.

Linnet opened the door on the other side of the room and found a dressing room with a large mahogany wardrobe.

“Why, there’s plenty of room in there for another couple of beds,” said Gertrude, puffing out her cheeks. “Why’d she have to be so disobliging?”

“Probably to intimidate me and make me feel all alone,” said Linnet. “We will get beds set up in here for you and Cuthbert tomorrow, but for tonight I hope it’s alright if we all share?”