“Thank you, Lady Olivia. Please, call me Alyssa. Apologies for cutting you short but I need to speak to you before the maids return.” She knelt by the side of the chair and looked up into Olivia’s careworn face.
“My dear, whatever is it?”
Alyssa took a deep breath. “You of all people know how the Guardianship of the Watches work.” She paused as Olivia stilled. “You must know that Aaron didn’t take up the Guardianship. His vows never mentioned the Lady; he ignored her completely. I don’t know where it went, or who now holds it, if anyone. I believe that Simeon won’t pick his up, either. That Seneschal of his is controlling him. He is following a different path, and he set my maid, my own maid,” she clenched her fists, “to spy on me.”
“Hush, child.” Lady Olivia touched her shoulder. “I understand, but I don’t know what I can do. Councillor Peverill restricts me; he commands my every move. Aaron intends to force me to Join with him.”
“Simeon is going to try and Join me to your son. In other circumstances, I expect it would have been the right decision, but I can’t, not now.”
“I still don’t understand how I can help.”
Alyssa bit her lip. “After Simeon’s confirmation, I am going to visit my mother at court. Captain Bryce promised to escort me, but I need you to support me. I am going to say that I wish to speak to my mother before I’ll Join. I’ll promise to Join with Aaron when I return and not before. You could use it to delay Joining with Peverill as well, say you want a double Joining.” Alyssa’s shoulders drooped.
“They won’t listen to me,” Olivia said, knowing it for truth.
“You could make them listen if you wanted to. I am sure Lord Stefan would have wanted you to protect the Guardianship. If we don’t, no one else will. The King has to come and stop all this, this chaos,” Alyssa finished, waving her hands in the air. “The maids will return soon. My room is three doors to the right. Lady Olivia, please think about it. I won’t let Greenswatch go down without a fight!” Alyssa stood, adjusting her dress.
“I would have been proud to have you as a daughter.” Olivia held out her hand as she stood. “And I know Stefan would have too.”
“I would have loved it too,” Alyssa said, blinking back tears as she took Olivia’s hands and kissed her cheek. They both felt the zing that passed between them, and they stared at each other wide-eyed before they smiled in recognition and hugged each other fiercely.
“Call me Olivia,” Olivia whispered as they stepped back. “We’ll see what we can do.” She straightened her shoulders as renewed vigour coursed through her veins. Alyssa was right, Stefan would have wanted her to protect the Guardianship with her very last breath.
Alyssa walked down the stairs slowly. As she reached the bottom, she heard the rumble of voices in the long drawing room, so she turned towards the door. She raised her chin as she pushed the door open and entered. Lord Aaron and Councillor Peverill were seated in a huddle with Simeon, deep in conversation. Aaron noticed her first. He stood and gave a shallow bow. “Lady Alyssa.”
“Lord Aaron, Simeon, Councillor Peverill,” Alyssa acknowledged them. “Simeon, shouldn’t you be getting ready?” she asked. “You’re not dressed yet.”
Simeon’s lip curled. “Women and their fripperies. I am ready. Once Lady Olivia arrives, we will proceed to the pavilion.”
“Pavilion? Are we not going to the lake?” Alyssa asked, dread in her heart.
“Reid has it all arranged. We do not need to travel down there. Ah, Lady Olivia, a timely arrival, and Captain Bryce. I wasn’t aware that you were still here, haven’t you a home to go to?” Simeon glared at Bryce.
“Lady Olivia required an escort. I was happy to oblige,” Bryce replied, ignoring Simeon’s blatant hint.
Alyssa grinned in appreciation. “You are welcome, Captain Bryce. If it hadn’t been for you and Lieutenant Jennery, I wouldn’t be here today. Where is Lieutenant Jennery?”
Bryce escorted Lady Olivia to the nearest chair and turned back to Alyssa. “He went to check the horses and ensure everyone is ready to leave on your command.”
“Leave?” Simeon stiffened. “I’ve already told you, Alyssa, that you are not going anywhere. Though the Captain and his men are free to go anytime.”
“Oh?” Alyssa’s eyes glinted a challenge. “And I have already told you that I am going to court to stay with Mother. Captain Bryce and Lieutenant Jennery are escorting me.”
“Absolutely not,” Simeon declared.
“I think you are presumptuous, Lord Simeon. You forget that you are not your sister’s guardian, your mother is. Lady Alyssa wants to be with her mother after all that she has been through. It’s enough to give any woman the vapours,” Lady Olivia said firmly.
“Mother,” Aaron spoke over her, “this is none of your business.”
Lady Olivia gave him a withering glare. “It is certainly none of yours.” She turned back to Simeon as Aaron gaped at her.
“Perhaps I should escort the Lady Olivia outside, maybe some fresh air while you continue the discussion in private,” Peverill interjected, standing up.
“That is not necessary, councillor. Please sit,” Alyssa waved her hand, forcing the councillor to sit back down. He threw a look of desperation at Simeon. “I am not going to be bullied in private. If Simeon has something to say he will say it now.”
They were interrupted as Reid entered the room, closely followed by Jennery. “My lords, ladies, gentleman, we are ready to begin the confirmation.” He was blithely unaware of the tension in
