Child of the Kindred, page 59
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
A short time later as dessert was being served, Lucas walked in with a small sealed letter.
“This just arrived for Miss Marina,” Lucas said with a warm smile, as he handed it to a very surprised Marina.
“Thank you, Lucas,” King Fergus mentioned, as Lucas walked out of the room, everyone now watching Marina open the letter.
“It is an invitation,” Marina announced with surprise, as Aiden leant over and quickly took it from her hand and began reading it.
“Really, Aiden! Could you be any ruder?” Caleb asked with a grin.
“It is from your brother, Ainsley, Eavan. He is inviting Marina to his party that he throws every season. Strange how I did not receive an invitation,” Aiden remarked with an irritated tone.
“Most likely because you have not attended the past two,” Caleb said, with a droll grin.
“Father wanted Cahir and me to attend, to keep things from becoming out of hand,” Eavan remarked, looking over and smiling at Cahir, rolling his eyes.
“Will you be going?” Aiden asked with a serious voice.
“Absolutely not. I am not about to have Eavan and me, become Ainsley’s and the other idjit brothers, sitters. Ainsley always plans his event the same time that Phariss and Maiwen take their holiday to Welstone. They know this, so it is their own fault,” Cahir replied, taking a bite of his dessert.
“So, will you be attending this season, Aiden?” Caleb asked in a mildly serious tone, his eyes not hiding his sarcasm.
“It would seem he was not invited,” Cahir replied, looking very amused.
“Marina was,” Caleb replied, smiling and taking a drink of his tea.
“Well, she is not going,” Aiden answered brusquely, to which Marina looked at him.
Marina’s expression clearly showing her discomfort, with Aiden’s demeanour and the general conversation.
“Aiden!” Laurel saying his name, with a surprised laugh.
“Really, Aiden. At least explain to the poor girl, why you do not wish for her to go,” Queen Alana said in a voice sounding very put out.
“It is alright, I would not want to go without Aiden,” Marina quietly spoke up, beginning to feel very awkward.
“Why do you just not go with her, Aiden? I feel that you showing up together will undoubtedly make a very bold statement as to the seriousness of your relationship. It will show those, whom you would often associate with, your more thoughtful approach to your personal life,” King Fergus suggested, smiling warmly at both he and Marina.
“It will also give Marina a chance to be presented amongst her peers here in Heathwin. You do not have to stay for the entire evening,” Caleb mentioned, looking at Aiden meaningfully.
“Would you like to go, dearest?” Aiden asked Marina, as he reached over and held her hand.
“I have never been to any kind of gathering such as this, when in Gwenlais. I was not yet introduced to society amongst the Nobles,” Marina said in an almost shy voice, still uncomfortable with Aiden’s first reaction.
“Alright then, I suppose that we could at least go for a couple of hours. Things do not usually get too rowdy until later in the evening. It will also give me the opportunity to ask Ainsley, why my invitation was not sent along with Marina’s. Everyone knows by now that Marina and I are courting,” Aiden said with a smile, as he took Marina’s hand and kissed it.
“Can Jamison and I go with you?” Oriel asked as they both looked at Aiden with eager smiles, causing everyone to laugh.
“Mo daor, that is a party you are not old enough to attend, and will never be,” Caleb answered, with the laughter increasing.
At the end of the week, Aiden and Marina were on their way to Chieftain Phariss’s home, where Ainsley would hold his annual gathering. The ride was comfortable as the lanterns were lit along the roadway, and the night air, though cool, held no wind. As they approached the large and comfortable looking home, they could already hear the music and jovial voices coming from the house. The walkway was well lit, and every window had light coming from it. The door stood wide open, the voices and music louder as they approached. Marina glanced over at Aiden with a nervous smile, he held her hand giving it a light squeeze, as he smiled back at her warmly.
They walked up the few steps to the large and spacious porch, that several lanterns hung from, then walked through the open door. No one noticed them at first, as the merrymaking was well under way. Marina stood closer to Aiden, her free hand reaching over and holding on to his arm, he turned and smiled at her again as she looked about the large and spacious front room of the house. Aiden smiled in quiet amusement at her shyness, and once more taking in her beauty, which she did not seem to see in herself. Imagin had spent the night and would be staying the next few days along with Owain and Tulla, as Owain was scheduled for guard duty at the Lodge. Imagin had curled Marina’s hair as Laurel and Tulla helped her to get ready for the evening with Aiden. They all insisted that Marina should wear the dress she had worn to Laurel and Caleb’s wedding, as Tulla had suggested she bring it with her. Marina felt it would be too formal at first, until Laurel reasoned, as she was seen wearing it at the wedding, it would be a way for perhaps some at the party to recognise her. The beautiful pewter coloured gown accentuated her slender, willowy figure, the contrasting black laces of the boned bodice gave her an elegant appearance. Finished off by wearing the rich black velvet shawl the Queen had lent her. Aiden turned in the direction of his name being called when suddenly everyone noticed their arrival.
“Why if it is not Prince Aiden himself? It has been a long time, my friend, so good of you to come tonight. And who would your lovely companion be?” Ainsley asked in a loud and flamboyant manner.
Ainsley was the eldest and tallest of Chieftain Phariss’s five sons, as tall as Aiden but not as muscular or fit, though he had a charming smile and bright blue eyes, as well as the warm auburn hair that all the brothers had.
“You should know who Marina is Ainsley, you did send her an invitation,” Aiden replied in a voice not hiding his annoyance.
Ainsley cleared his throat and leant in closer to speak to Aiden privately.
“Of course I know who she is, I just wanted you to introduce her to the other guests,” he explained in a hushed tone, as Marina smiled at Aiden demurely.
Aiden then glanced over, noticing all present were watching them.
“Good evening everyone. I wish to introduce Miss Marina from Gwenlais. I have no doubt, that you have heard she and her siblings are my brother’s wards, and that she and I are now courting,” Aiden announced, placing his arm around Marina’s shoulder, as some in the group made distinct sounds of surprise.
An attractive young woman walked up to them, then very boldly kissed Aiden, which took both him and Marina by surprise.
“Where have you been darling? We have not seen you with the usual group for almost two seasons now. So very nice to meet you Marina, how lovely you are. Do introduce us Aiden,” the young woman spoke up, her deep blue eyes dancing as she smiled at Marina in a secretive way while looking at her with scrutiny.
“I have no doubt you have heard; I have been quite busy of late. Marina, may I introduce, Lachina,” Aiden said, as he smiled at Lachina warily.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lachina,” Marina replied with a trembling smile.
“My pleasure as well my dear, here now, come with me, and I shall introduce you to some of the other ladies. Do not worry Aiden, I shall take good care of her,” Lachina remarked, noting Aiden’s expression. As they moved through the crowded room, the music and talking began once again.
Marina glanced back at Aiden uncertainly, as he smiled reassuringly back at her.
“You have certainly done well for yourself my friend, your current consort is utterly exquisite,” Ainsley said in an appreciative tone, as he watched Marina being led away.
“Marina is not, my current consort since we are now officially courting. When is the last time I have ever officially, courted anyone?” Aiden asked him in a defensive, irritated tone.
“No insult was intended. I am just offering a genuine compliment,” Ainsley smiled at him wryly, glancing back over at Marina as she had been led to the other side of the room, talking to a group of young women.
“Perhaps you could explain to me why my invitation was not sent with Marina’s?” Aiden asked with a riled expression, as he accepted a glass of mead by a servant offering drinks.
“I have no idea. You know how unreliable pages can be at times,” Ainsley answered with a sly grin.
Aiden returned his grin, then looked over to the back of the room as something caught his eye, watching to see if what he thought he saw was the case, stepping forward a bit, looking over the heads of the people in the room.
“What is it? You look as if you saw something you are not sure of,” Ainsley enquired, looking over to where Aiden was watching.
“If I did not know any better, I would say I just saw my cousin Bebhinn with your brother Reade. Though that certainly cannot be, as she has only just turned seventeen seasons, and is not old enough to be invited. Is that not correct?” Aiden asked with an accusing voice.
“Yes, yes, of course, she would not be invited, unless in her eighteenth season. I do not think Reade even knows her all that well,” Ainsley replied, taking a sip of mead, Aiden noticing the slight hesitation in his voice.
Reade was the youngest son, only a season and a half older than Eavan. He was the quietest and most unassuming of the five brothers, the only one that Cahir seemed to tolerate for any length of time. He did not often frequent the taverns of Welstone that his father had a silent partnership with. He enjoyed the company of a few friends, in a more intimate setting, not caring to stand out.
Meanwhile, Marina was feeling a bit overwhelmed with now being the centre of attention in the group of young women she found herself with.
“Is her hair not lovely? Such an unusual colour,” Lachina mentioned, as she reached over to touch Marina’s hair, the other young women all agreeing.
“Does she not remind you, just a bit of Corinn?” one of the young women asked, causing Marina to look at her uncomfortably.
“Is it true you were held captive?” another asked her in an excited voice, as they all turned to Marina in expectation.
“Well, not exactly. My brother and sister and I were slipped out of the castle, and we hid in the camp of the Kedesh,” Marina explained in a soft voice.
“Oh, how dreadful! You were forced to stay with the wretched rat-folk?” another young woman asked in an appalled voice.
“They are not wretched at all. The Kadesh were very kind and generous to us, and took great care in making us comfortable,” Marina relayed, feeling suddenly very uneasy.
They all looked at each other with doubting smiles and smug grins, several of them rolling their eyes.
“Is Aiden as adventurous as they say? Has he taken you to the turrets yet?” another girl asked, causing the group to break out in shrill laughter.
“The…the turret?” Marina asked with wide eyes.
“Is it true, that he has the number of his consorts cut into his headboard?” another asked, eliciting more laughter.
“No…well…I do not know, I have not seen his bed close enough to notice,” Marina answered, clearly flustered.
“What?!” several girls said at once, in disbelief.
“As my guardian, Prince Caleb has mandated that we are both to follow the vow of chastity,” Marina explained with a shaking voice, as the girls all looked at each other with raised eyebrows, grinning and snickering.
“It was most generous of Prince Caleb to make you and your siblings his wards. He and Aiden have always had a soft spot for orphans. That is how everyone refers to you, “the lovely orphan”. Though I must say, I am sure that is not the only reason for Aiden’s decision to announce he was courting you,” another young woman spoke up, she seeming to be the one the other girls followed and looked up to, often glancing at her when something was said.
Marina noted she was taller than all the other girls, her black lace dress was cut provocatively low in the front, she also wore more enhancement on her face than all the others, giving her a very seductive and somewhat intimidating appearance. Her long red hair was pinned on the top of her head, with carefully selected tendrils falling around her face, accentuating her heavily lined eyes.
“How do you mean?” Marina asked, sounding stressful and agitated.
“Ruari just means he obviously took pity on you, for your tragic circumstance,” Lachina spoke up, looking over at Ruari with mild concern.
“No, that is not what I meant. I mean really, dear, look at you. My friend Shannon, her husband is a Sentinel, and in Aiden’s Patrol, he was part of the rescue. He had mentioned to Shannon how the Prince was quite taken with you. Aiden has always been most attracted to beautiful women; we all know this. Why the tavern wench Elsa, of the Blue Dragon, is known for her exceptional beauty, and all have known she held his favour. I have no doubt, upon hearing you are now being courted by the ‘Stallion of the West’, she will be heartbroken. This will be most interesting to see how long you hold his favour,” Ruari said with a cruel laugh, the other girls doing the same, apart from Lachina who just looked over at Marina tensely.
Marina’s eyes filled with tears, her expression showing her anger and frustration.
“Excuse me please,” she said in a quiet but emotional voice, as she turned to make her way back to Aiden.
The group all stopped talking and watched her walk away, Ruari smirking and shaking her head.
“I feel you went too far, Ruari. Aiden will not be pleased,” Lachina mentioned in a sharp whisper, watching Marina approach Aiden, his face already showing concern.
“It serves him right. Bringing her here and showing her about as if a new favourite bauble. Could he make it any clearer that he found none of the women of Heathwin, to his liking?” Ruari answered bitterly, the other girls all agreeing with her at once.
“You know he loved the silversmith’s daughter, Corinn. Everyone knows this,” Lachina retorted back.
“Yes, he did. So, what does he do? Finds another one who looks somewhat like her. Vow indeed, we shall see how long he keeps his vow,” Ruari replied with a cruel smile, looking at Marina, obviously upset and now talking with Aiden.
“I just want to go home,” Marina said, her voice breaking, as she tried to control her tears.
“I wish you would tell me what is wrong. It is most apparent that someone upset you. Was it Lachina, or one of the other girls?” Aiden asked, looking over at the group with an angry expression, as they all turned away from his gaze.
“It does not matter; I just wish to leave now,” Marina replied, her voice becoming more upset, her lips now trembling visibly.
Aiden looked at her, his eyes filled with concern, as he placed his hand on the side of her face.
“I shall get your shawl and my coat and then we will leave,” Aiden said in a quiet, comforting tone.
“I shall just meet you outside on the porch,” Marina answered back curtly, not waiting for Aiden to reply as she walked hurriedly past him.
He looked at her with dismay, then glanced back over at the group of young women who now had turned around, so as not to face him. Ainsley noticed their tense conversation and made his way over to Aiden, who was now taking his coat and Marina’s shawl off of a peg by the front door.
“Leaving already?” Ainsley asked with concern as he approached Aiden. “We have yet to bring out the food for dinner, and the good ale,” he added, trying to bring levity to the very tense mood.
“We shall not be staying for dinner, Ainsley. It would seem, other guests of yours, felt the need to upset Marina instead of welcoming her to her new home. Tell me, why is it that you invited her, just to allow the ladies to have their fun? Or a perverse sense of curiosity?” Aiden asked in an angry, accusing tone.
“Aiden…” Ainsley trailed off, as Aiden interjected, holding up his hand.
“Do not bother sending an invitation next season. Goodnight Ainsley,” Aiden remarked with a sullen intense expression, as he walked out of the house.
Aiden stepped behind Marina, putting the shawl over her shoulders. She then stepped off the porch, not turning around and went straight to the sheltered overhang where the horses were kept. As she hurriedly untied the reins and placed her foot in the stirrup to get upon her horse, she felt Aiden’s hands at her waist, pulling her back down and turning her around. His face still wore the same concerned expression, as seen in the dim light of a lantern hung on a post.
“Dearest, please tell me what is wrong. What did they say to you?” Aiden asked, in a soft low voice.
“It does not matter,” Marina replied, sniffing back tears, her anger and frustration becoming more apparent.
“It does matter, love. It matters to me. If you tell me what was said, then I can put your mind at ease,” Aiden replied, holding her now by her arms and drawing her closer.
“Oh, can you? I somehow do not feel that will be the case. I mean really, how truly exceptional I must be, being courted by the ‘Stallion of the West’. And to be held in higher esteem by you, than a tavern wench in Welstone,” Marina remarked, bitter tears sliding down her cheeks.
Aiden looked at her with a surprised than irritated expression, as he glanced back at the house for a moment.
“Of course I hold you in higher esteem than a tavern wench. The name they called me came from Caleb and Cahir mocking me, and it just went off from there. As I told you in Gwenlais, dearest, I had not been with anyone for nearly a season. There has been no one else, since before Caleb and Laurel’s wedding,” Aiden said, trying to maintain his composure, placing his hand on the side of her face again.
“Including Elsa of the Blue Dragon?” Marina retorted, her breath catching as she spoke, her body shuddering with her tears.
“Marina, you must not listen to, or concern yourself, by what you were told. They were obviously saying things to intentionally upset you. When I tell you there was no one else, that is exactly what I mean,” Aiden responded, now becoming more agitated.
