“Oh, so what Lord Thornbeck said . . .” Magdalen started up the stairs and Avelina hurried after her.
“What? What?”
“He said . . .” Magdalen drew out the words dramatically, then she whispered in Avelina’s ear, “he wants us to meet him in the rose garden just beyond the south side of the castle in the morning.”
“Oh. But surely he meant only for you to come.”
“No, he specifically said for me to bring you with me. And I shall not go at all if you do not come.”
“Oh, but you must! He wants to talk to you.”
“He wants to talk to you too. He said so.”
If Lord Thornbeck was taken with Magdalen, as he obviously was, he would surely want to get to know her better, and having Avelina around would be uncomfortable. However, he might fear it would be improper for Magdalen to be alone with him, so for that reason, Avelina would go along with her.
Avelina heard the soft knock at her door and quickly opened it. Magdalen stood there smiling. “Are you ready?”
“Let me put on my shoes.” The old pair of Dorothea’s slippers were so thin they nearly had a hole worn in them. She only needed them to hold up for seven more days.
They slipped out the door, not speaking until they had made their way down the stairs and out through a side door that led to the kitchen.
The morning air was crisp and cool and Avelina wrapped her shoulders in Dorothea’s old velvet cloak. “How did you sneak away from Hegatha? Did she allow you to go without her?”
“She was out, so I left her a note.”
“Won’t she be angry?”
“Probably.” Magdalen’s frown turned into a grin. “It will be worth the guilt she will heap on me to sneak away to meet the margrave with you.”
“Are you falling in love with him, then?” Avelina held her breath, waiting for her answer.
Magdalen’s half grin turned into a half frown. “I am still hoping you will fall in love and decide to marry him.”
“Magdalen! You know he favors you now.”
Her brows shot up. “I do not think he fancies a wife as young as I am. You are closer to his own age. But we shall not argue about it. We shall simply enjoy his company. Agreed?”
“Very well.”
The air was misty with fog as they entered the small rose garden. Vines clung to the stone wall, and there were only a few roses, one here and there, that were still in bloom so late in autumn.
Lord Thornbeck suddenly appeared in the mist ahead, standing next to the family mausoleum. He came toward them and cleared his throat. Avelina got the idea that he was trying to think of something to say. Perhaps one reason he was so gruff sometimes was because he had not spent much time with ladies and did not know how to make polite conversation. And this morning he did not have Odette to help prompt conversation.
“Did you see the flowers that are still blooming?” he finally asked.
Avelina let Magdalen walk ahead of her. “I like the yellow rose with pink around the edges.” Avelina stopped and leaned down to get a better look. When she straightened, Lord Thornbeck and Magdalen were staring at her.
Avelina pretended not to notice as she turned and wandered away to find another fully bloomed rose. When she glanced over her shoulder again, the margrave and Magdalen were talking. Avelina resumed examining the roses and bushes and trees. Her plan was working perfectly. So why did a pang of regret shoot through her middle?
“Lady Dorothea, come and join our conversation.” Lord Thornbeck was seating Magdalen on a wooden bench between two large rosebushes.
Avelina walked forward and sat beside Magdalen, then the margrave seated himself on the bench facing them. He was not smiling.
Silence stretched between them until Magdalen said, “We were just speaking about how difficult it is for our lord to choose a bride from among his guests.”
“I did not say it was difficult,” Lord Thornbeck said. “I said it was uncomfortable to invite ladies to one’s home for the express purpose of choosing from among them whom to marry.”
“Then why do it?” Avelina wished she hadn’t been so quick to speak, but she couldn’t take back the question.
His expression was stern as he stared back at her. “I am doing it because I do not wish to marry someone who will be . . . less than what I am expecting in a wife. I do not wish to have the king choose my bride for me. If I can find a suitable wife, one that he approves, I shall not be forced to marry someone whose character may be less than exemplary or someone who may not wish to marry me and therefore will be unhappy in our marriage.”