His son will come for Fathers hunt, but not to see me? Lenore asked. For a moment, she felt as nervous as a girl, not a woman of eighteen full summers. It was only too easy to imagine him not wanting her, not loving her, in a marriage arranged like this.

He will see you, and he will love you, her mother promised. How could anyone not?

I dont know, Mother… he hasnt even met me, Lenore said, feeling the nerves that threatened to overwhelm her.

He will soon, and… Her mother paused as a knock came at the door to the chamber. Come in.

Another maidservant entered, this one less richly dressed than then others; a servant for the castle, rather than directly for the princess.

Your majesty, your highness, she began, with a curtsey. Ive been sent to tell you that Duke Viriss son Finnal has arrived, and is waiting in the greater antechamber, if you have time to meet him before the feasting.

Ah, the feasting. Her father had declared a week of it and more, filled with entertainments, open to all.

If I have time? Lenore said, and then remembered how things were done at court. She was a princess, after all. Of course. Please tell Finnal that I will be down directly.

She turned to her mother. Can Father afford to be so generous with the feasting? she asked. Im not… I dont deserve a whole week and more of it, and it must be eating into both our coin and our food stocks.

Your father wants to be generous, Lenores mother said. He says that the hunt tomorrow would bring enough quarry to make up for it. She laughed. My husband thinks himself the grand hunter still.

And its a good chance to organize things while people are busy feasting, Lenore guessed.

That too, her mother said. Well, if theres to be a feast, we should make sure that you look fit for it, Lenore.

She fussed around Lenore for a few moments longer, and Lenore hoped she looked good enough.

Now, shall we go and see your husband-to-be?

Lenore nodded, not able to quiet the excitement practically bursting from her chest. She walked with her mother and her coterie of maids down through the castle, heading to the antechamber that backed onto the great hall.