Free The Starkin Crown by Kate Forsyth Page A

with the help of a silver comb and mirror. ‘And you too, Jack. No need for court manners when we’re in the wilds, surely’.
    Jack hung back, saying, ‘Oh, no, sir, I’d much rather wait,’ but Grizelda came forward at once, saying, ‘Is this all there is? Surely we are not to eat like peasants?’
    â€˜I’m so sorry, my lady, I seem to have mislaid our baggage train,’ Lord Murray said with heavy sarcasm.
    â€˜Along with most of our escort,’ Grizelda answered, laying some cheese on the hard, dark bread and nibbling at it daintily.
    Lord Murray went white, while Peregrine laid down his food, suddenly unable to eat a mouthful. ‘Do you think Lord Hartmann is all right?’ he asked Lord Murray anxiously. ‘Perhaps he beat off the attackers and is trying to catch up with us’.
    Lord Murray shook his head. ‘There were too many of them, sir. I saw at least six. I can only hope that he managed to stop anyone from following us. We must’ve left a pretty trail behind us, crashing through the forest like that. We must take care today, particularly now the snow has stopped’.
    â€˜You think the starkin will still be on our trail?’ Peregrine stared at him in dismay.
    Lord Murray nodded. ‘They must know by now the prize that slipped through their fingers. If any of those starkin scum are still alive, they’ll be hot on our trail, I assure you, sir’.
    Grizelda said, ‘It is hardly polite of you to refer so to those of starkin blood, particularly when I am present!’
    â€˜I’m afraid I’m not feeling very polite this morning,’ Lord Murray replied, beginning to buckle the packs to the horses’ saddles.
    â€˜I know how you feel,’ Jack growled, casting Grizelda such an accusing glance that she dropped her bread and cheese.
    â€˜You cannot suspect me?’ she cried. ‘But I came … I was the one who warned you of their approach! You must believe me, I did not know of any ambush, nor how they found us so fast’. She looked from one face to another with imploring blue eyes, her hands clasped at her breast.
    Peregrine found it hard to meet her eyes. He stood up, gesturing to Jack to come and eat his fill. Jack made himself a hasty sandwich, while Lord Murray carefully packed away the remnants, throwing the crumbs under a bush.
    â€˜Please believe me. I am sorry for the loss of your companions, but it is not my fault!’ Grizelda cried, her own bread and cheese forgotten.
    â€˜Your dog barked,’ Jack said.
    â€˜Dogs do,’ she answered swiftly. ‘I did not tell him to’.
    â€˜He won’t even pee without you telling him to!’ Jack pointed out.
    â€˜But that’s different. He’s been trained to never piddle inside, or anywhere we don’t want him to. You’ve got to dothat if you live in a castle! Particularly if you have as many dogs as we do. Your Highness, don’t you agree?’
    Peregrine shrugged. ‘I guess so’. He lifted his flute to his lips and called to Blitz again.
    â€˜And he’s been trained to stop barking when I tell him too, but I was gagged, I couldn’t tell him to stop, let alone to start!’ Grizelda’s colour was up, her eyes were brilliant with anger, and she stamped one small crimson boot for emphasis. Oskar raised his hackles and growled, obviously sensing his mistress’s anger.
    â€˜Just don’t let him bark again,’ Lord Murray said, leading Sable to Peregrine. ‘We must try to keep ahead of any pursuit and leave no trail. Do you understand, my lady?’
    She nodded, looking mutinous. Lord Murray bent and cupped his hands for Peregrine to put his foot into, but Peregrine leapt up into the saddle without any help, saying, ‘Watch your arm, my lord! I would not want you to start bleeding afresh’.
    Lord Murray nodded and carefully harnessed Peregrine to his saddle. Grizelda