Free Hearts in Cups by Candace Gylgayton Page B

that
evening, in the privacy of her own bedchamber. "It was as if that ring of
fire in her mind surrounded her person as well. But I've reassessed my initial
reaction to her, and now I find that I rather like Lady Hollin."
    "She is the
Duchess of Langstraad," her husband replied, kissing her forehead.
"It is not easy to be the Head of any of the Houses, especially one of the
Great Houses, and she is young and essentially alone. I don't blame her for
whatever barriers she must stand behind. She is in a potentially vulnerable
position and we will need all our wits, along with whatever extra she can
provide, to negotiate this council session successfully."
    Dinea looked closely at
Colin, a frown of concern on her face. "I thought that we had a good plan
for dealing with the other Houses?"
    "We do, my dear
lady, we do. However, we don't know what bag of tricks Niall is bringing with
him, or anyone else's response to our plans. However, we shall be dealing from
a position of strength, and that singular young lady will be their biggest
stumbling block. I will be very surprised if she doesn't carry the day."
He embraced his wife reassuringly. "Come to bed now, it is late and House
Creon is due to arrive tomorrow."

 
    Chapter 4
     
    There was a burst of
feverish activity in the private apartments of the Duchess of Langstraad as her
attendants sought to complete their lady's toilette. Lady Clowen, splendidly
garbed herself, stood in the center of the dressing chamber issuing orders like
a general. Inara, finishing with the last hairpin, reached for the ducal
coronet of state, a heavy circle of linked golden dragons encrusted with
diamonds and emeralds. Hollin felt the weight of the precious object settle on
her head and automatically shifted her shoulders to help balance it. It was not
quite as heavy as the crown she wore to conduct her own ducal court, but she
did not have to try to eat in that one.  She sat, quiescent, in a sea of
green fabrics; some closely encasing her body while others drifted and swirled
away from her. A gold necklace brilliant with emeralds encircled her throat,
and emerald earrings dangled from her ears. On her right forefinger she wore
the massive gold signet ring of state. The only departure from the colour
scheme of green and gold was the red glow of Sandovar's Heartstone on her left
hand.
    To stand she needed the
assistance of two of her ladies-in-waiting. It took her awhile to accustom
herself to the weight and restraints of the formal gowns of state, and she had
given herself an hour before she was to make her appearance. Inara clucked to
herself and made little adjustments in the folds of material. Hollin slowly
walked across the room and turned to look at herself in the mirror of burnished
metal. It was always a shock to see how much older she looked when dressed for
a formal ceremony. On the other side of the room a regal figure in green and
gold looked imperiously back at her.
    "Oh, your
grace!" Celia breathed reverently. Hollin smiled indulgently at the girl.
    "Inara, take Celia
with you, and tell Sir Benedict to have the honour guard ready in half an
hour’s time." Lady Clowen was crisply authoritative. After the ladies had
gone, she turned a critical eye on Hollin. "That Inara hasn't the brains
of a rabbit, but she certainly knows how to dress you."
    Hollin suppressed a
laugh. "Lady Inara is exceptionally good at what she does," she
admonished.
    "Yes, but that's
all she is good for," was the acerbic reply. "Did you hear that House
Gresha only arrived this afternoon?" Clowen went to pour the duchess
something to drink from a tray set on one of the tables.
    "At least they
arrived. From what I've heard, Lady Maire is a very poor traveler. It's a
wonder Lord Lewys didn't just leave her at home."
    "Poor traveler or
not, I'm sure Lady Maire would rather die than miss such a prominent social
occasion. Everyone is here, and from the buzzing you'd swear we were living in
a beehive."
    Hollin took the