Chapters (76)
- Title Page
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
- PROLOGUE
- PART I
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- PART II
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- PART III
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- INTERLUDE
- PART IV
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- INTERLUDE
- PART V
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- PART VI
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- INTERLUDE
- PART VII
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- PART VIII
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- EPILOGUE
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- Newsletter Sign-up
Arable dropped her eyes. “Arable, your ladyship.”
“And you’re not actually a servant here, are you?”
“I am.” It hurt to say. “But I was not born to … such a life.”
“The details of which are, I have no doubt, fascinating,” Lady d’Oily said coldly, making it clear how boring she would find Arable’s pitiful history. But her eyes sharpened in curiosity. “I recognize you. You’ve been escapading with Lord Wendenal, haven’t you? It’s quite obvious, and a little embarrassing. My husband says he stumbled upon you two in a hallway.”
“William is … we knew each other. Some time ago.” It wasn’t an apology.
“Why then are you knocking on my door this evening rather than his? I cannot imagine this is nearly as exciting for you.”
Arable summoned up her bravery. “I was wondering if you may have need of another servant in Warwick. I have many useful skills.” She steeled herself against the well of tears that built behind those words.
“You want to leave Nottingham?” Lady d’Oily studied her. “What about this William de Wendenal, you want to leave him as well?”
“He’ll be leaving first. He’s only here for another few days, then he returns to the war. If you’ll have me, I promise I won’t disappoint you.” She felt like she was begging for her life, like she was nothing.
Lady d’Oily made a sour face. “I suppose I could ask the Sheriff for this favor, but I don’t see—”
“No need,” Arable interrupted her. “I am not sworn to him. I’m here … by choice.”
That clearly pricked the lady’s attention. “Arable, you are a terrible servant. You speak and engage yourself with those you should not, and you have neither humility nor obedience. I don’t know what on earth I would do with you, aside from break you.”
“Even still.” Arable swallowed. “I would go with you.”
“Where is your family?”
“I’m the only one.” It was her practiced answer. She didn’t even know if it was true.
“What of this Wendenal? His father Lord Beneger is not insignificant. Couldn’t you go play servant in Derby and await your beau’s return?”
Arable bit her lip. “I’m not welcome there.”
The thin blue skin at the edges of Lady d’Oily’s eyes widened in shock. “Arable, what is your family name?”
She should have known better. No longer able to hide her fear, “I have no family.”
“Don’t answer questions I didn’t ask. You have no family, as you say … anymore. But you were a Burel once.”
Arable felt an icy grip at her heart. She could see Lady d’Oily putting together the pieces. A Burel, a Wendenal, and a Ferrers, all in the same place.