"They tell us you come from a land far away." A pretty girl began, as she searched out a starting point for her attack.

"I am." Aura answered, refusing to speak of the life she had known. She had not spoken of her home to Vernon and refused to tell the people here anything either. They would not understand. She didn't understand, so how could they?

"Tell us Lady Aura," another woman piped in, almost as if on cue. "Are all women where you live as plain as you, or are you the exception?"

"I really have no idea, I never did a survey, but, if I were back at home, no one would be ill bred enough to bring up such a question. It would not be considered polite." Aura responded.

The woman reddened as she gave a gasp of outrage and turned to a friend who sat beside her. Vernon leaned over and warned her. "You have just made an enemy Aura, and unless you can find a way to disarm her she could prove to be a very powerful enemy indeed."

"From what I have seen of your society a woman need not be feared as a serious enemy."

"That depends on who they are related to. Felicity is the sister of the Lord Charles. He is the fair man, three people over from you. She is only one of many who hope to catch the eye of, and to marry, the Lord Thorn. It would be a good match and one I would welcome, but it is highly unlikely. Thorn is not interested in her."

"To be honest Vernon, I am not really interested in her personal aspirations myself."

"You have made one conquest for sure though. Perhaps you would like to know who?"

"I suppose you are going to tell me whether I am interested or not. You are an outrageous gossip Vernon, it is a terrible habit."

He laughed loudly, attracting the attention of the other people at the table, and a special smile from Chatelaine from where she sat. Chatelaine leaned over to say a few words to a very beautiful woman beside her and the lady smiled back at her before answering. Their conversation remained private.

"You are right, I am going to tell you." Vernon reclaimed her attention as he noted her watching his wife and her friend. "I shall, in fact, introduce you to the lady. After we have fished eating."

She sighed and conceded. "Well, I must admit the sight of a friendly face would be a welcome change."

"I have been friendly," Vernon defended himself.

"Yes," Aura admitted. "But that is because you want something."

Vernon gave another loud laugh. She was right he did want something. He sometimes wondered at her degree of perception. She remained silent for the rest of the meal after that, despite insolent remarks once more directed at her by her newfound enemy. She had decided to ignore the woman, which was making the lady very agitated, a mood that made her look waspish. A man on Aura's right finally turned and spoke to her.

"Do you not find this tirade against you irritating?"

"Of course not. I was taught many years ago to consider, always, the source of such irritations, before determining whether they were of consequence or not." Aura responded.

"So you do not defend yourself?" He asked.

"Sir, it is sometimes wiser to remain silent and be thought dumb, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. That is another lesson I was well taught." Aura replied.

Vernon, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, roared out laughing and rose from the table. He spoke as he went to leave the room.

"Come, let us retire to the hall where we can find some entertainment, not that we are not being highly amused here. I fear that Aura has the advantage over all of us. I will introduce her to everyone present and explain why she is here. Those who are not interested may go about their own plans this evening."

The a.s.sembly rose and followed him out, although Aura was reluctant to join them. She would much rather have gone up to her room. A light touch on her arm caught her attention and she turned to raise an inquiring eyebrow at Chatelaine.

"It will be alright Aura, Vernon and I will make sure of that." Chatelaine sought to rea.s.sure her of her safety and welcome.

"I am not afraid of Felicity, Chatelaine. After all she reacts out of ignorance and fear. I somehow can find the capacity in me to even feel pity for her, although I cannot understand why she should be so insecure."

Chatelaine blinked in surprise at her words, then smiled. It was uncanny. The girl had her adversary figured out already. She wondered what other surprises she held in store for them.

The group formed a loose circle about Vernon and he pulled Aura in to stand beside himself. "I found Aura in a village sewing up a wound on a man that would have died if he had been left alone. The man lived, and in such a shape that he will be capable of serving his Lord once more. She further astounded me with her pet, a full-grown wolf. He is, as she put it, both a friend and protector."

"I took her along with me to the battle to learn more about her. She told me she was lost, and had been for some time. Her speech is that of a very well educated person. I have also found that she can speak other languages, although she was unaware of the fact that I noted her doing so. She has saved more lives of men in the battle than most of us caused, and she did so for both friend and foe alike. We found she has a habit of disappearing from camp, much to the Lord Edwin and Lord Alex's dismay. I entrusted them with keeping her within the boundaries of the camp."

"I also found she has the capability of both a scribe and a mathematician. Being so well educated I summarized she could not be of common stock. I would wish to keep her at court as much as possible, and would therefore dower her for the right man, and do so generously."

"What!" Aura exclaimed, before blurting. "I refuse to allow such a calamity. You will not sell me off like a piece of merchandise at a bazaar."

"You have no say in the matter, you are nothing but a mere girl." Vernon brushed her statement off as a matter of no consequence.

She remained silent but the outrage she felt showed on her face. He noted her flush of anger, and moved to bring a quick end to the subject. "Also, in case you decide to try to run off, you may forget about it. I will put a guard on you if need be. Now I am going to introduce you to others. Come, Lady Aura." Vernon started with the woman who had taunted her.

"Lady Felicity, the Lady Aura."

Aura smiled and before Felicity had time to say anything, remarked. "I have heard of you from a friend of the Lord Edwin."

The woman opened her mouth in surprise but got no chance to ask her about the conversation as Aura was led off to a couple of gentlemen further in the room.

"The Lords Alfred and Durban."

The two men looked at her in interest and she sent them a frosty glare. Vernon bent to whisper in her ear. "That is not the way to catch a husband Aura."

She just hissed back. "So. Who wants a man under foot anyway?"

Vernon laughed and led her to another couple of men. "The Lords Alex, whom you already have met. And Allen, who you have not."

Aura tossed Alex a slightly roguish smile and whispered over her shoulder, as she was being led away. "You secret is safe with me, and I will even help you catch her if you want. It should be a piece of cake."

Alex smiled back in surprise then blushed as he caught her meaning, as Aura stole a quick meaningful glance at Felicity, to see if she was watching. She was. To keep her interest, Aura winked at him and teased. "See you later."

"The Ladies Alicia and Amy." Vernon turned to Aura and, noting the exchange going on between her and Alex, he frowned. He caught her sleeve to catch her attention. "Aura, the Ladies Alicia and Amy." Lord Alex lived too far away for Vernon's purposes.

Aura was received with all the frosty politeness she had expected from these women, for they had seemed to be very close friends of the Lady Felicity.

Vernon, noting their reaction to Aura, took her over to another couple standing off to the side by themselves. "The Lord Tonquin and the Lady Dianne."

Aura gave then her friendliest smile, and spoke in greeting. "I see congratulations are in order for you two."

The woman blushed and looked up at the man while he asked. "Congratulations for what?"

"Why, for your upcoming betrothal and marriage. It is obvious that you are both very much in love." Aura answered sounding as if it should be a foregone conclusion.

"We have made no final plans, nor has anything been mentioned or discussed on the matter." The Lord Tonquin wasn't sure whether to take affront to her statement, or accept it as no more than just observation. His decision was made as Aura leaned over towards him and whispered.

"You waste valuable time, if you do not offer for her soon perhaps another man will."

The Lord Tonquin put a possessive arm about the lady Dianne's shoulders, and she sent Aura a shy, thankful smile. Aura smiled back at the couple and Vernon drew her away to meet yet more people.

"My wife you already know but I would really like you to meet the Lady Signi."

"Lady Signi!" Aura exclaimed then explained her surprise. "It was the first name I heard after realizing I was lost."

"Really?" Signi's pleasant voice inquired curiously. "In which manner was it brought to your attention?"

"I was hiding, yet within earshot of a private conversation. They mentioned you are one of the most beautiful women in the country. I must say I have to agree. One man in particular mentioned something about approaching your brother to offer for your hand. He said your brother was the Lord Thorn."

"Thorn receives so many offers for me that are not to my liking that he is beginning to think I will never settle. I think the same of him. Edwin seems to be the only one content to do so. Tell me, when did this conversation take place?"

"I admit, it was some time ago, but perhaps you know the man and perhaps by now he is one of your rejected suitors. He was large, blond, with blue eyes. He had a scar off the side of his right cheek which gave him a roguish look."

"I think I know the man, and no, he has made no offers for my hand." Signi blushed a deep red and lowered her lashes. "He is said to be as big a rogue as he looks."

"Undoubtedly he has a degree of experience. If his speech to his friend means anything, I would say his implied promiscuous nature is more rumor than reality. Men may boast about their conquests in public, but in private and to their friends, they usually tell the truth. He has not the heart of a rogue or a rake."

Signi smiled at her in grat.i.tude then leaned over to speak in private, as Vernon left them to their own devices. Signi, he determined, would take care of Aura.

"I heard you put Felicity in her place a few times during the meal, and might I commend you? She makes a nuisance of herself every time Thorn comes to court, and he is due any day now. Especially since his lands are secure once more."

"Lord Alex has plans for her, perhaps we could give him a helping hand?" Aura suggested with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Alex? Alex and Felicity?" Signi looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled. "I would have never thought of them as a couple. Where did you get this idea, or was it something you heard?"

"Like I said Signi, men will talk, and especially to their closest friends. Being a woman I find I am sometimes overlooked and am privy to many intimate conversations."

"Well I have a bit of news for you as well. Vernon has plans to marry you off to one of the men here tonight." Signi informed her.

"I had guessed as much, but I am not about to give the matter credence. There are six men here. Three are seriously committed, two I have managed to put off, and that leaves the Lord Allen, whom I doubt is all that interested."

"Oh I think he could be interested, if the way he is watching you is any indication."

"Well he can cool his heels, I have other plans. I am going home somehow and I do not need a man for that. There is nothing I want more than to be free to live my own life." Aura replied.

"Wishful thinking Aura; for if you notice, Vernon already prepares the match." Signi warned her.

Aura looked at the Lord Allen pensively for a while, then asked: "Who was Allen interested in before I came along?"

"The Lady Arabella, and she is a beauty."

"Very interesting. So where is this prize?" Aura inquired.

Signi giggled in amus.e.m.e.nt as she answered. "Not invited of course."

"Well, perhaps it is time we found a way to let her back into the charmed circle. How does she feel about him?" Aura didn't want to force another woman into the position she was in herself. For some reason that didn't seem fair, but she would if she had to.

"Arabella has no mind to call her own. She will go where is told and do whatever is expected of her. All she needs is a man to lead her. Allen fits the role to perfection, Vernon finds her intolerably dull. He also favors her for Thorn, who thinks she would be perfect if all a man wanted from a wife was someone to decorate his home. Thorn is looking for something I think he will never find." Signi spoke fondly of her brother.

"So what does your ill.u.s.trious brother want anyway?" Aura asked.

"In general? The usual things all men want. Someone to share his life, love him and bear his children. Someone he can love in return. More important he seeks a soul mate. Of course if she happens to be pretty he would not complain I am sure. He agrees with Vernon that Arabella is addlepated."

"She probably is, but if that is what the Lord Allen wants, then that is what he should have. After all it is his choice. Maybe he is no better."

"Aura! That is a terrible thing to say." Signi couldn't help but giggle.

"But true?" Aura asked in wide-eyed innocence.

Signi laughed and nodded her agreement. A few moments later the Lady Felicity joined them with an insincere apology.

"I was unjustly cruel to you this evening Aura. I would like you to know I regret my behavior."

Of course she regretted it. Aura was getting along very well with Signi, who was Thorn's sister. Then again, she was also under Vernon's sponsorship. If she, Felicity, could not bring Thorn in line on her own, perhaps she could find another way through Aura.

"I understand Felicity, and that is quite alright. You should choose your enemies more carefully. Indiscriminate hostilities can rebound."

Felicity had no idea what Aura was talking about, or what she meant, but she nodded her head nonetheless, as if she agreed then coyly asked. "Do you remember who you heard speaking of me?"

"Well, as I recall, the Lord Alex was one." Aura confided.

"And the other?" Felicity asked.

"The Lord Edwin."

"And the Lord Thorn?" Felicity asked wistfully.

"I am sorry Felicity, but I have never met the Lord Thorn so I wouldn't know him if he speaks of you." Aura admitted.

"I see." Her eyes lowered as Signi spoke up.

"I doubt if Thorn is all that interested Felicity and I do not mean to be cruel by telling you so. It is a well-known fact that what my brother wants he takes. It will be the same when it comes to choosing a wife. You will see I am right when it happens." Signi pa.s.sed on a little well meaning, albeit, unwanted advice.

"I know. I think I have known right from the start." Felicity admitted with a deep sigh, "I had to try anyway."

"We know, and we understand Felicity, but it is just not meant to be." Signi then struck a spark in her interest by remarking. "I think Vernon seeks to match the Lord Alex to the Lady Aura. It will be interesting to see who has the stronger will, Vernon or Alex. Of course, if Alex has no reason to believe you might return his feeling, he probably will fall in with Vernon's plans. Aura, I am sure would consider herself lucky to be his wife. Not only is he quite well stationed but he is a very good-looking man. Yes," she mused, "it looks like it could be an interesting summer."

It was a speech meant to make the Lord Alex irresistible to Felicity, and as Aura watched, Felicity's eyes flickered from Alex to Signi then back to Alex again. Aura smiled a small secret message to Signi then she excused herself from the duo. Shortly after, she left.

CHAPTER XIII.Lady Signi had noticed Aura slip almost virtually unseen out of the room and understood her reasons or at least she thought she did. Aura had looked and acted as if she was very tired and considering that she had just arrived after a long ride this very day, she could well understand. She was of the opinion that Aura could use a friend. Vernon believed that she needed a husband and a protector, which she also agreed with. Why the girl would soon be too old for any man to consider her as his wife.

It was unfortunate that Aura herself did not seem to share their opinion. She gave Signi the impression that she was going to be a challenge. Yet, there was something vulnerable about the girl and Signi was more than half afraid that Vernon might force her to marry the wrong man, out of sheer desperation.

Soon after she got up the next morning, Signi met the maid a.s.signed to Aura as she headed towards Aura's room.

"Has the Lady Aura risen yet?"

"The Lady Aura has been up for hours Lady Signi. One of the children had a nasty fall earlier and she heard his screams from her balcony. She went to tend to the injury, and is now surrounded by a crowd of the local children." The girl gave a wide, pleased grin.

"Thank you Lydia." Signi replied courteously. She had always found that treating the servants in a friendly manner often got her extra information or favors.