Laurie cast his eyes heavenward. “This is true enough.”
“Well, lover mine, those excuses may serve you as you bid farewell to some poor tavern keeper’s daughter, but they’ll do you little good here. We shall see what Lyam thinks of all this. I should imagine there is some old law or other in the archives dealing with commoners becoming involved with nobles.”
Laurie chuckled. “There is. My father is entitled to a golden sovereign, a pair of mules, and a farm for your having taken advantage of me.”
Suddenly Carline giggled, tried to smother it, then laughed aloud. “You bastard.” Tightly hugging him, she rested her head upon his shoulder and sighed. “I can never stay angry with you.”
He cradled her gently in the circle of his arms. “I do give you reason upon occasion,” he said softly.
“Yes, you do.”
“Well, not all that often.”
“Look you well, boyo,” she said. “My brothers are nearing the harbor as we speak, and you stand here arguing. You may dare make free with my person, but the King may take a dim view of things as they stand.”
“So I have feared,” Laurie said, with obvious concern in his voice.
Suddenly Carline’s mood softened. Her expression changed to one of reassurance. “Lyam will do whatever I ask. He’s never been able to say no to anything I’ve truly wished for since I was tiny. This is not Crydee. He knows things are different here, and that I’m no longer a child. “
“So I have noticed.”
“Rogue. Look, Laurie. You’re no simple farmer or cobbler. You speak more languages than any ‘educated’ noble I have known. You read and write. You have traveled widely, even to the Tsurani world. You have wits and talents. You are much more able to govern than many who are born to it. Besides, if I can have an older brother who was a hunter before becoming a duke, why not a husband who was a singer?”
“Your logic is impeccable. I simply don’t have a good answer. I love you without stint, but the rest—”
“Your problem is you have the ability to govern, but you just don’t want the responsibility. You’re lazy.”
He laughed. “That’s why my father tossed me out of the house when I was thirteen. Said I’d never make a decent farmer.”
She pushed away from him gently, her voice taking on a serious note. “Things change, Laurie. I’ve given this much consideration. I thought I was in love before, twice, but you’re the only man who could get me to forget who I am and act this shamelessly. When I’m with you, nothing makes sense, but that’s all right, because then I don’t care if the way I feel makes sense. But now I must care. You’d better make a choice, and make it soon. I’ll bet my jewels Arutha and Anita will announce they are betrothed before my brothers are in the palace a day. Which means we’ll all be off to Krondor for their wedding.
“When they are wed, I’ll return here with Lyam. It will be up to you to decide if you will be coming back with us, Laurie.” She locked gazes with him. “I have had a wonderful time with you. I’ve feelings I couldn’t imagine possible when I dreamed my girl’s dreams of Pug and then Roland. But you must get ready to choose. You are my first lover, and will always be my dearest love, but when I return here you will be either my husband or a memory.”
Before he could answer, she walked to the door. “In all ways I love you, rogue. But time is short.” She paused. “Now come along and help me greet the King.”
He came to her side and opened the door for her. They hurried to where carriages were waiting to take the reception committee to the docks. Laurie of Tyr-Sog, troubadour, traveler, and hero of the Riftwar, was acutely aware of the presence of this woman at his side and wondered how it would feel to be denied that presence for good and all. He felt decidedly unhappy at the prospect.
Rillanon, capital of the Kingdom of the Isles, waited to welcome home her King. The buildings were bedecked in festive bunting and hothouse flowers. Brave pennants flew from the rooftops and bold banners of every color were strung between the buildings over the streets the King would travel. Called Jewel of the Kingdom, Rillanon rested upon the slopes of many hills, a marvelous place of graceful spires, airy arches, and delicate spans. The late King, Rodric, had embarked upon a restoration of the city, adding lovely marble and quartz stone facing to most of the buildings before the palace, rendering the city a sparkling wonderland in the afternoon sunlight.