As the weeks passed, I somehow became “the lady” of Volodane Hall.
While my mother hadn’t had time to have a proper trousseau made for me, she’d sent bolts of velvet and silk from our stores, and Miriam was a skilled seamstress. With some regret, I retired my comfortable old blue wool and was not seen in it again. I had a part to play now, and if I wished to survive, I needed to look that part.
In addition, though Jarrod was somewhat tight with money, he was soon more than aware of my value as a keeper of his home, and he put me in charge of the household accounts. This gave me the freedom to order food and goods from the village when necessary. I never visited the village, but I arranged to hire a laundry woman. While the care of my own gowns was left to Miriam, I ordered washings of all four of the men’s clothing, along with sheets, blankets, and curtains.
Almost before I knew it, the rhythms of daily life here had become familiar. Jarrod and Rolf were often out overseeing the land or running drills with the guards. Kai spent much of his time in training with a sword, even though the family did not appear to be at war with anyone. Sebastian spent his time playing cards with the guards . . . or talking with me.
I learned a good deal from him. My question about the guards’ food source was soon answered, as they had their own cook—a man—and supplies were delivered directly to him. Apparently, the guards ate a good deal of boiled oats and mutton stew.
I learned that Jarrod, Rolf, and Sebastian all loved Kai, but Rolf and Sebastian had no brotherly love for each other, and Jarrod had no affection for Sebastian either, nor did he seem to require any work or assistance from his second son. This didn’t faze Sebastian at all. He was popular among the guards, as he was both a gracious winner and loser at cards, and he seemed to have several close friends among them, especially a handsome young man called Daveed.
Inside the family, Sebastian was quite content with the company of Kai and me. He often told me how glad he was that I’d come to live here, and he offered more than once to deal with problems of difficult servants for me—especially with the kitchen staff.
“I’m embarrassed things had become so lax in the first place,” he once apologized. “It wasn’t always like this. Until a few years ago, we hadn’t stood around the table eating whatever was served. I’m not quite sure how that happened, but you shouldn’t be expected to clean up the mess entirely on your own.”
Tempted as I was at times, I never once took him up on his offers. He was not my husband, and Rolf was, and Rolf respected only strength. Even with what little I could sense from him, I sensed that much. As a result, I could never show weakness. I couldn’t allow myself to lean on Sebastian.
Rolf and I carried onward. We seldom spoke, but he was never unkind.
Soon enough though, the rhythms of the house were interrupted when Jarrod sought me out to tell me he’d arranged for a formal dinner, the first hosted here in many years. I found his plans to bring his family “up in the world” to be steady and methodical. First, he had spent years gaining and keeping wealth. Then he had purchased me. Now, he was putting me to use.
I had no illusions about his expectations.
“Who is coming?” I asked.
“Lord Allemond Monvílle, his wife, and his brother,” he answered. “Their lands border our southern line, and I’m trying to buy a section of forest covered in oak. The timber alone is worth the purchase.”
“Lord Allemond?” I repeated, surprised. He was on the Council of Nobles. He was also a friend of my father’s and had visited Chaumont at least once a year since I was a child. “He’s selling his land?” That seemed unlikely.
Jarrod’s eyes sharpened. “You know him?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Try to remember what dishes he likes and what kind of wine. He’s only coming to look down his nose at me. I want him off guard by what he finds.”
Considering the arrogance of Lord Allemond, I suspected Jarrod was probably right. Neighboring lands or not, I could hardly imagine the Monvílles even considering an invitation to dine with the Volodanes, and selling Jarrod land seemed beyond the realm of possibility.
The household burst into activity. Matilda began cleaning madly. Miriam worked hard to create a gown for me. With Betty’s help, I started sewing clothes for the men.
Sebastian was particular about his clothes being perfectly tailored, and so he came to my room for a fitting. This event gave me a clearer understanding of how his mind worked. Within moments of walking through the door, he pulled his long-sleeved tunic over his head and tossed it onto the bed. He was bare-chested beneath it. He bore a scar on his left collarbone. Betty and I were both mildly startled by his action, but we recovered quickly, and she picked up the white shirt she’d been making for him. I couldn’t take my eyes off his arms. I’d wondered why he was the only man in the family who traveled without a weapon.
Apparently, he didn’t.
Sebastian had a long, sheathed dagger strapped to each of his forearms. The hilt of the dagger on the left arm was ornate, with pearl inlay. The one on his right arm was quite plain, with a tan hilt. Unlike his father and brothers, he didn’t strike openly. He would keep his weapons hidden until the last moment.
He noticed me staring, and I glanced away.
Not long after his fitting, I closeted myself away with him to plan menus. I was too concerned with the upcoming evening’s success not to take advantage of his help.
“We’ll need at least three savory courses,” I told him. “Fish, poultry, and then either beef or lamb.”
He nodded. “I think beef would be best. I’ll arrange for several roasts. The poultry course is easy. We can have Patrick kill some of our own chickens. Can you handle the fish?”
“Yes, Ester told me there is a fish monger in the village. I’ll send an order and have four large river salmon delivered. I know Lord Allemond enjoys salmon. We’ll need a sauce for the side though.”
“A simple white sauce,” Sebastian suggested. “Ester makes a delicious white sauce.”
In bits and pieces, I’d learned that Ester had been with the family for years, since Rolf was a boy, and she had apparently once been a fine cook, but the slow breakdown of household order had left her without support from the family, and I feared she was now being bullied by the likes of Lavonia.
“What about dessert?” Sebastian asked, bringing me back to the task at hand.
Although I’d never planned a formal menu before, together, Sebastian I did quite well, and I submitted our list to Ester who was pleased by our choices and went to work with Patrick arranging for the fruits and vegetables.