was the small silver star he gave me. “I helped with their burials. Another priest came to assist since we had so many, but I dressed the bodies of the Cameron family before they were buried. Your father’s body was never found and your mother’s was lost as well, but this belonged to your grandfather, the Count di’Cameron. I’m sure he would have wanted you to have it.”
I was touched to say the least. Raising the small symbol to my lips I kissed it and put it over my neck. Like his own symbol I could see that it held a faint golden radiance, a sign of its connection with the goddess herself. I thanked him as best I could and he left shortly after.
I sat staring at the silver star for a short while, and Penny sat down beside me. “Does it make you sad to think on it?” she asked.
“A bit,” I answered. “I’ve never met either of my grandparents, and know even less of them than I do my parents. At the same time, as of a few days ago I had no knowledge of any of them. It all feels sort of made up. Inside I’m still Mordecai Eldridge, and I feel guilty that I don’t feel more for these people that are gone.” Penny was a good listener and we talked for a while, till another knock came at the door.
Before Penny could reach it, Dorian opened it from without and announced, “His Grace, James, Duke of Lancaster is here.” That was all the warning we got before he strode into the room. The Duke looked in good health, he moved briskly and his face was slightly flushed, as if he had been exercising. I didn’t know that he had recently confronted Devon Tremont, but I would have been glad if I had known.
As it was, he seemed to be full of energy. “Mordecai!” he said, in a rather loud tone. “I am most relieved to see you awake and moving again.” Rather than pull up the chair he sat on the bed with me.
“The reports of my demise were premature your grace,” I answered smiling.
“I told you, call me James when we are alone,” he replied. “I was planning to have your commendation ceremony and oath of fealty taken tonight, but it seems that will not happen for a few days more at least. You seem to be gaining strength quickly though.”
“Thanks to Penny, she has been an angel of mercy through all of this,” I smiled at her.
“Yes I have some matters to discuss with Penny as well,” and he looked at her grimly.
“I cannot thank you enough for your care of my nephew,” he said, “I understand that you burst in upon my lady wife and insisted Rose help you find him?”
“Yes your grace,” she kept her eyes down.
“You seem to have a touch of the prophet’s gift I hear. No matter. Then yesterday you stood your ground and told me in no uncertain terms that if I tried to usher you from the room I would… let's see… what was it?” He was searching for words.
“Draw back a nub, your grace,” she filled in for him.
“Yes that was it. And you meant it too didn’t you my dear?” He was smiling at her in a fashion that reminded me of a dog, before it bites you.
“Yes your grace, even now,” she said demurely.
“You realize of course that such brazen disrespect for your lord could have dire consequences. I could have you taken to the yard and whipped for insolence,” his tone was neutral, but I started up, trying to get out of the bed.
“You can’t do that!” I said, but he waved me away.
“Yes your grace, this is true,” she replied.
“You have not reported for work since yesterday when you left your post without notice,” he continued, “and you spent the entirety of last night alone in this room with my nephew.”
“Yes your grace, I would not leave him, till he were dead or sure to live,” her tone held a sliver of defiance in its tone now.
“Others could have managed. It was hardly proper to have a young woman in here all night, but you don’t care do you Penelope?” he asked.
“No sir,” she said, “I would sooner be damned than leave him to the care of others.” She was staring him in the eye now.
“Are you in love with my nephew Penelope?”
“Yes your grace.” she would not hide it.
“You leave me no choice then, Penelope Cooper you are dismissed from my service; I have no need for such a disrespectful maid. One who does not know her place cannot serve me. I expect you to clean your things out of the maid's quarters within the hour,” his tone was deadly serious.
Somehow Penny had not expected that response. Somehow she had thought that her good deeds would outweigh her mistakes. She stood stunned for a moment, lips parted slightly. A few seconds later she felt tears beginning to form in her eyes and she turned away, thinking to get her things before he saw her weeping.
“Don’t leave Miss Cooper, I have a few things to say to Mordecai as well, and you should hear them first,” James added. “Mordecai, since you are unwell I doubt you will be able to attend the dance tomorrow night. It is our last celebration before the guests return to their homes, so it should be a grand affair. Genevieve has spent quite a bit of time planning for it.”
“So I am told,” Mordecai was unsure where the Duke was leading the conversation.
“Genevieve wanted me to tell you that if you had a lady in mind to bring to the ball, she would be welcome, even if you were unable to attend.” He looked at Penny then, with a mischievous smile. Reaching into his jacket he pulled out a scroll and tossed it onto the bed. “The oath and such will have to wait, but the lands are yours, along with the title and privileges, Count di’Cameron.”
I stared at him slack jawed, “I am honored… I…” I was having problems figuring out what to say.
“As my guest, and a fellow lord, you are entitled to your own retainers and such, within reason. If you have a wife, consort, or even a simple companion, they of course may stay with you. It is not my place to judge a landed noble. Advances upon my staff would be considered a grave insult however, so I trust I don’t have to fear such a breach of faith with you.” He studied Penny at length during his speech. “Don’t sell yourself cheaply my dear. You’re worth your weight in gold, and if my nephew has sense to realize it he will be a wealthy man.” Then without another word he turned and left the room.
Once the door had closed Penny and I looked at one another, “What the hell was that?” she said.
“I think he was trying to do us a favor… maybe,” I replied.
“I just lost my livelihood!” She was not amused.
“Well I’m prepared to offer you a new position,” I ventured.
“As what, chief concubine? Because if that’s what you think of me you’d better guess again, just because last night we… That was magic, I didn’t have full control of my faculties!” She was working herself into a fit. Not that I would have said as much.
Taking slow breaths I eased myself out of the bed and started walking toward her, “I would never suggest something like that Penny. The Duke was just making it clear that we could continue to stay together, under whatever relation or fiction we choose to employ.”
“ ‘Fiction we choose to employ,’ can you hear yourself Mort? Just because you’re the bloody Count di’Cameron now doesn’t mean I’ll happily pack my bags and come move in as your doxy!” I was almost to her now, but she was backing away. Given my delicate state I wasn’t fit to chase her around the room. I tried another tactic.
“ ‘Companion’ doesn’t necessarily mean prostitute Penny, and if you need some better title you could be my maid-servant.” I gave her a lopsided grin, employing my considerable knowledge of psychology. It worked. She turned red and came at me teeth bared and claws out.
“You pompous slack-wit!” She launched herself at me with a shriek that would have made a banshee proud. I caught her wrists as she came, and struggled to subdue her. Unfortunately, as most wrestlers can tell you, a lot of your upper body strength relies upon the muscles around the rib cage, and mine were in terrible shape. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before how terribly smart I am.
Pain shot through me as I grappled with her, trying to get her still for a moment. In spite of the agony I managed to drag her in close and wrap her in a bear hug, whereupon she bit me. She bit me! I refused to let go though, and stepping back I fell onto the bed, holding her tight to me. That earned me a lot more pain as her weight fell onto me. Twisting I got myself on top and pinned her down. Have I mentioned she’s as strong as a she-cat? But at last I had her caught. “I’m not making the same mistake I did the last time we argued,” I said, my face inches from her own. “You’re not going to escape as soon as I start talking.”
