Page 48 of The Ranger
Shona’s gut went cold. She couldn’t imagine Philip Brennan as anything but the vile, evil man who tried to claim her for his own.
She climbed to her feet. “Thank you for speaking to us, Your Majesty.” She bowed and elbowed Kitty to do the same.
She did, then curtsied to boot.
Agnus gave him a little bow too, then started chasing Monah again. Shona knew the young Noghard hung out with Sita Mihn and Angus a lot. No wonder he had no problem coming to this part of the library.
“We should get going,” Shona said. “Come on, Kitty.”
“Princess...”
She turned back to the Noghard king.
He lowered his head to her. “Your mate will be upset. Tell him what I have told you.”
She gave him a nod. “I will.” She turned, and she and Kitty started back.
“Shall I see ye to the door?” Angus called after them.
“No need, we can find our way out.” Shona gave him a wave then kept going.
“So, what do you make of it?” Kitty asked.
“I think Dallan and I need to be there for Markhel.”
“But you heard what Novhak said. And aren’t Kwaku and Zara there?”
She stopped. “Yes, but... oh, I hate not being able to figure something out.”
Kitty smiled. “At least you’re still using contractions. When you’re really upset those go out the window.”
Shona took one look at her and laughed. “You’re right. I’m not as upset as I thought. Just frustrated. Okay, we’ll tell Dallan, then see if we can get permission to at least go check on how things are going.”
Kitty’s face lit up. “Can I go?”
“We’ll see. I have no idea what’s happening. I hope they’ve been able to get Maida and Markhel together. I also hope it went well.”
“What makes you think it might not have? Kwaku and Zara are there.”
She let go a weak laugh. “Okay, you’re right. I need to chill.” She should be fine with it. But she wasn’t. Her Muiraran father was keeping her and Dallan here because of the threat of running into Philip Brennan, and that’s what bothered her the most. The man was nothing to be trifled with. Period.
10
Maida kept going to the parlor window, peering at the barnyard to see if their company had arrived yet. The family decided to have dinner here tonight instead of at Colin and Belle’s as everyone wanted to visit with the Prince and his wife and her family’s kitchen had the biggest table.
“Maida, sweetheart,” Grandma Sadie said. “What are you so nervous about? Come away from that window and help me in the kitchen.” She wiped her hands on a dishrag, turned on her heel and left the parlor.
Maida stared after her but didn’t move from the window. Instead, she looked out again, hoping to catch a glimpse of a wagon coming over the rise. But there was nothing. “What’s taking them so long?”
“Maida!”
“Coming!” She hurried into the kitchen where she found her grandmother pulling something from the icebox. “When will they get here?”
Grandma Sadie straightened, a crock of butter in one hand, some vegetables in the other. “Why are you so anxious to see them?” She brought the items to the worktable and set them down. “I know the Bergs are royalty, but it’s not as if they rule a great country. In fact, Dalrovia is rather small.”
Maida joined her at the worktable. “I can’t help it, they… fascinate me.” She wasn’t about to tell her that it was Mr. Markhel that fascinated her. She didn’t think Grandma Sadie would like that at all.
“I suppose I can’t blame you.” Grandma took the lid off the crock of butter. “You’ve been sheltered living here. I knew we should have let you go with Parthena and Leo to the Weavers for the harvest. You’d have a chance to meet a lot of new people and make some friends.”