Page 20 of The Darkland

“The Lady Valdine and her sister helped me settle into my chamber while you and Sir Kirk were… well, shall we say, in conversation.” Micheline nodded her head at the two ladies. “Good eve to you, ladies.”

The twins bowed again. And they smiled at Micheline at exactly the same time.

“Good eve…”

“…to you, Lady Micheline. We hope…”

“… you chamber is…”

“… satisfactory?”

Mara’s mouth was hanging open. She couldn’t help it. Again, Lady Valdine started the train of speech, Lady Wanda finished it. But Micheline seemed unfazed by the conversation, merely nodding at the pair. “It’s wonderful, thank you. Will you be sitting with us for the meal?”

They shook their head in synchronization. “Nay, my lady. We…”

“…will be seated to…”

“…your left, with the other…”

“… knights and ladies.”

Mara’s head was spinning from the echo-like effect of their peculiar speech. As they bowed their farewell to the table and moved in perfect rhythm for their assigned table, Mara watched with a mixture of fascination and confusion.

“They talk at the same time!” she turned to Kirk, still standing behind her.

He laughed softly. “Nay, they do not. If you notice, they speak in perfect order. One never overlaps the other and they are very precise in what they wish to say.”

“But….” Mara shook her head. “Can they not speak separately?”

“I have never heard them.” Kirk glanced up, noting that the gaily-dressed crier was preparing to announce the arrival of Edmund and Johanne. “Corwin says it was quite difficult to court Valdine. Wanda always seemed to be interfering.”

Mara’s expression was droll. “How in the world could he tell? I’d say the man has two wives for the price of one.”

Kirk snorted softly, observing as the heralds took position for the grand entrance of Lord Edmund de Cleveley, Baron Bowland. Excusing himself politely, he moved away from the table.

Mara watched him move to the grand hall entrance, a towering doorway with carved oak panels. His movements were graceful, agile, and she found herself staring at him as he waited patiently for Edmund’s arrival.

“He is in a far more pleasant mood this eve than he has been,” Micheline said softly.

Mara was still staring at him. “Oh… who?”

Micheline smiled. “Kirk, dear. He seems quite amiable toward you.”

Mara tore her gaze away, focusing on her sister and trying not to appear too agreeable. “It’s amazing what a peaceful afternoon can do for one’s spirits.”

Micheline continued to watch her sister as the woman’s gaze returned to the towering knight. Leaning close, she whispered in her ear. “Did he really spank you this afternoon? Or did he do something else?”

Mara looked puzzled. And shocked. “What else would he do?”

Micheline kissed her on the ear. “This.”

Mara nearly leapt from her chair. “I would never… I never…!”

Micheline laughed softly, grabbing the woman before she could run away. “If you say so, Mara. I will not mention it again, I promise.”

Red about the ears, Mara maintained her seat but refused to look Micheline in the eye. A kiss was so intimate, so…serious.And it would only lead to the same actions the soldier in the inn had forced upon her. Actions that were painful and degrading and she had no intention of allowing them to happen again. Even if the actions would be coming from Kirk.

“I do not like him, Misha.”