last royal mistress
June 7, 2009
- Respect and Responsibiity: Temmin sat up, propping his arms on the back of the couch. “You were at Whithorse when Mama got married. Just how unhappy was Mama when she had to marry Papa?” Jenks turned from the little luncheon table and frowned. “Why would you ask me that, sir? Now of all times?” “I can’t help thinking about Mama, I suppose, and we’ve been--studying this sort of ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 31, 2009
- Trying Not to Think: “It’s Palgday, isn’t it? See if they hold market day here, Bear, and go fetch us some treats! Fruit pastes for me and barley sugars for thee, eh? Here’s a silver, sweetheart, off with thee!” When he was gone, Rose lay down on the bed and let the honest tears flow. She’d held them back for so long--not the tears of a tantrum, but soul tears, from deep inside, tears ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 31, 2009
- A Lesson: “Hm?” said Ansella. The lesson. It had been something about Venna’s brothers, the treacherous rapist Eddin, the violent rapist Farr, and the lecherous rapist Nerr. At least she thought that’s what it was about. She never really listened to lessons or sermons anyway; she preferred service and offerings. But it was so warm and pleasant under the tree. Ansella didn’t pay much ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 31, 2009
- Duty: Today Brinnid would sail with the tide. He had finished his last business at the consulate, and, though absent Stewn’s careful watch, his trunks were aboard. He now waited impatiently in the downstairs receiving room for the gig to take him from the consulate to the docks. Brinnid reached into his vest pocket for his watch, but he checked himself, moved to a pocket closer to his heart, ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 28, 2009
- [I forgot to post this! It's been up ages!] Two Prophecies, Fulfilled “She’s gotten worse the last day or two,” said the lady-in-waiting. Over Ansella’s protests, Donnis told him of the headaches, the weakness, the vomiting, the lack of appetite. “But she won’t let me call the Sisters! I’ve given her until this evening, and then I’m calling them whether she likes it or not,” ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 14, 2009
- Exits from the Stage: In this life, thought Bear, I am doomed to spend more time waiting outside Missy’s apartments than in them. Once again he sat in his preferred corner in the kitchens at the Keep, listening to the gossip of the servants at tea. It was the best way he’d found to measure the mood of the castle, and through it, the world outside its walls. Going out had become too dangerous. ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
May 9, 2009
- Patience:Temmin lay gasping against Issak’s chest, his heartbeat slowly coming down. His eyelids flickered shut. “Don’t fall asleep,” murmured Issak, pinching Temmin’s nearest nipple. “Ow.” Temmin opened his eyes. “I’m always sleepy afterwards.” “You have to learn not to be. Up.” Issak pushed Temmin off his chest and sat up himself. “There is much you still have to ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
April 26, 2009
- Softenings That night, Sedra did not come down to dinner, nor did she have Brinnid in her rooms for dinner. In fact, she ate no dinner at all. Instead, she sat in the dusk and then the dark, still curled up on her sofa. She let one of the upstairs maids lay a fire in the hearth, but she refused to let the lamps be lit--not even a single candle. “Oh, miss,” said her ladies maid, Camma. ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
April 21, 2009
- Two Teas: It was through the good offices of Embis Winmer that Sedra discovered she would have to receive Lady Callant in her quarters. The secretary was apologetic, but “His Majesty requires that it be done, Your Highness, today and every day,” he said firmly. “He could at least have had the decency to tell me himself!” fumed Sedra. Both Winmer and Brinnid refrained from pointing out ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
April 19, 2009
- Good Management: Rose spent less than a spoke at Callant, though it had taken nearly three weeks to get there. “Eet ees a borrring backwater!” she’d complain to anyone who would listen, almost as soon as she’d arrived at Wilk Castle. But to Bear she confessed, “I fear that being away from Varrido so long may lessen his love for me. But he would insist!” “I like being this far from ...
- Continue Reading » 0 Comments
