“A pleasure, my dear.” He took her in his arms. “So, did you enjoy your chat with Meritas?” he asked, watching her closely.
“Such a nice man, so soothing.” Alyssa gazed at him, emptying her head of all thought.
“Good, I’m glad. He will be good for the Watch, I believe.”
“I’m sure,” Alyssa replied dreamily as they circled the ballroom.
“And here is Lord Aaron, I believe about to cut in.” He surrendered Alyssa into the arms of the Deepwater lord.
Jennery watched Alyssa spinning around the dance floor. She didn’t look right. He caught her eye, and she distinctly winked at him before her face resumed its vacant expression. What was going on?
Jennery drifted towards the door and met Simeon barring his way. “Please, Lieutenant. You wanted to join the celebration, stay. Lady Cynthia needs a partner,” and Simeon smoothly diverted him away from the door.
As Jennery guided the young lady through the steps, he suggested delicately that she dance with Lord Aaron, a venture she was happy to agree to. He gradually manoeuvred them closer to Alyssa and Aaron. “’Change.” He offered Cynthia to Aaron, and Aaron had no option but to relinquish Alyssa.
“Smoothly done,” Alyssa said with a small smile.
“Has something happened?” Jennery asked with concern, spinning Alyssa away from Aaron.
“Oh yes,” she sighed into his chest. “Captain Jerrol is here with Tagerill and Birlerion. They have put all the guards to sleep. I left them having a chat with Meritas.” She beamed up into his face.
Jennery blinked. “Ah, I see, I think.”
Her laugh was rich and warm and just for him. “Whatever Simeon is planning, he is about to be thwarted. You dance well, Lieutenant. I think you should dance with me again later.”
He tightened his embrace and drew her closer. “It would be my pleasure.” He buried his nose in her hair. He breathed in the scent and shivered.
Alyssa tilted her head back so she could see his face. “Are you alright, Lieutenant?”
Jennery smiled into her eyes. “Oh yes,” he purred as she laughed with delight.
The music came to an end, and the couples paused on the dance floor, looking expectantly towards the musicians. Jennery drifted closer to Bryce, standing near the outer wall. “Jerrol is here,” he murmured as they passed.
“Lady preserve us,” Bryce muttered with a grin.
“Lords, ladies and gentlemen,” Simeon began. “It is with pleasure that I welcome you to Greenswatch and the new age. An age of prosperity, union and growth. Today we will share our vision, and you will understand why you will join us. You will leave this room enlightened and as eager to spread the word as we are. I’d like to introduce you to Councillor Meritas, who will lead the way. Brother Meritas, everyone,” and Simeon gestured to the large double doors, which opened right on cue. Only it wasn’t Meritas standing on the threshold.
Simeon clenched his jaw as a slight young man entered. “What is the meaning of this? Who are you?”
“I regret to inform you, Lord Simeon, that, ah, Councillor Meritas declined your invitation to enspell all your guests.” Jerrol’s voice carried in the silence.
“Reid, call the guards,” Simeon said.
“I’m afraid if you mean the guards who were preventing your guests from leaving, they are delinquent on duty. They all seem to have taken a nap,” Jerrol said not very apologetically. “You’ll have to talk to them about their sense of duty when they wake up. Ah, Captain Bryce.” Jerrol caught Bryce’s eye. “I suborned your men to take their place. I do hope that is acceptable.”
Bryce changed a bark of laughter into a cough. “Captain Haven, thank you for the advisory. I will speak to them in due course.”
Jennery stifled a snort as Bryce shook his head. You could always rely on Jerrol to do the unexpected. He grinned as Jerrol’s gaze landed on him, knowing his spectacular bruising would catch his eye.
“Lieutenant Jennery.” Jerrol’s eyes widened, and then he moved on to Alyssa with a smile. “Lady Alyssa, I think we may want to adjourn to a smaller room and allow your guests to continue to enjoy the hospitality or leave if they so choose.”
“Just a moment.” Simeon ran a finger around his collar. “Who do you think you are, ordering everyone about? This is my Watch.”
Jerrol swung towards Simeon. Whatever Simeon saw in Jerrol’s face made him take a step back. “Lord Simeon, I believe we need to talk privately.”
“I am not going anywhere with you,” Simeon blustered. “Reid, Aaron, where are your guards?”
Lord William stepped forward. “Sir, I am not sure what you saved us all from, but I am sure it wasn’t going to be pleasant. But I am afraid I don’t recognise your unit either.”
“He is the Captain,” a voice spoke from behind Jerrol, “and you would do well to listen to him.” Tagerill stood foursquare in the door, an imposing figure dressed in the same archaic uniform Jerrol wore.
Lord William’s eyes widened as he looked from the tall man with silver eyes standing in the doorway to Jerrol. Jerrol gave a slight bow. “Indeed, I am Captain Jerrol Haven, Lady’s Guard.”
“You’re that King’s Ranger. Prince Kharel has a warrant out on you for treason.” Councillor Peverill peered around Aaron.
“I believe that is a different Captain Haven,” Jerrol said with aplomb, his silver eyes flashing.
Lord William chuckled. “I am sure it is. Marcus,” he called the other Lord Holder over. “We will attend this meeting with Lord Simeon and Lord Aaron.”
Aaron spoke up at that point. “I am not staying to listen to any of this nonsense. I will be leaving immediately.” Councillor Peverill muttered in his ear, and he extended a peremptory hand to his mother. “Mother, come.”
Lady Olivia approached Jerrol. “I think I will stay and hear what the Captain has to say,” she turned to her son, “as should you.”
Aaron scowled. “You will attend me now. We are leaving.”
“I think not. The Captain here will escort me home, won’t you?” She held her hand out
