Page 6 of Lady Tamsyn and the Pixie's Curse
He shookhishead.
“I heard you laughing at me, GryffCardew!”
“WhywouldI?”
“Because of my predicament! At my feet high and my bottom low in the stream. At the flowers in my hair and the rips in my dress and at the . . .handkerchiefs.”
“I haven’t the foggiest notion of what you are talking about. I showed up—and you did not. I passed the empty meadow and stream when I came to the castle to inquire after you. I was turned away. And each time I came after that. More rudely each time, Imightadd.”
She stared intently at him. He looked irritated. Handsome. And like he was telling the truth. “Then youdidn’t. . ?”
“No.”
“Thenwho?”
He shrugged. “There was no one there at all when I passedthrough.”
“I wasmortified,” she breathed. “I thought you weremockingme.”
The furrow in his brow smoothed out a little. He sighed. “Then I suppose your refusal to see me makessense.”
Tamsyn covered her mouth. “What you must havethought!”
He turned back to the horse. “It doesn’t matter.” He nodded. “It’s just good to clear themisunderstandingnow.”
Why did it feel like her mistake had been enormous? “Oh, Gryff. I’msorry.”
“We neither of us have cause to feel sorry.” His mouth quirked. “Or perhaps we both do.” He still avoided her gaze. “In any case, now we can part as . . .” He stopped and there was something in his sidelong glance. “Well, we can part without animosity.” He swung up and doffed his hat. “Good day,” he nodded and spurred the horse out intotherain.
She watched him go. The old, aching hole she’d been filling with anger and pique gaped suddenly open and empty. “Goodbye, Gryff,” shewhispered.
* * *
Not so far away,young Paul Hambly popped out of thin air atop the ancient, moss and vine covered mound hidden away in the forest. Tuft lounged there, enjoying a ray of sun that had broken through the gloom overhead. Beneath them, younger pixies scrambled through the bracken, fetching sweet clover heads and acorns for Tuft’s mount and companion. He and Jump were always together, always working to care for the forest, the marshlands, and themoors.
“She’s back again,”Paulsaid.
He spoke just as the sprite told him, “He’sback.”
”What? Who?” they saidtogether.
Paul laughed. “The girl, I meant. Who didyoumean?”
“That damned sorcerer is back, sniffing around again. He’s been at the borders, poking, testing my shield.” Tuft gave a creaky laugh. “He’ll never get past my spell. Not alone.” He tilted his head. “Now, truth is, you could be a help, there. Keep an eye on the new earl. Make sure he doesn’t fall under the wicked one’sinfluence.”
“I’ll try.” Paul hid his skepticism. What sort of help could he be,really?
“Keep yourself away from the sorcerer, too, if you can. Gocarefully.”
Paul openly scoffed this time. “What could he dotome?”
Tuft shook his head. “He plays with dark magic, that one. And he’s grown even more powerful.” He wagged a finger. “Wouldn’t be the first time I heard of a sorcerer commanding a shade. So, becareful.”
“Oh.” Paul had never heard of such athing.
“Now, what girl?” Tuftasked.
“Huh?” He broke off his grim contemplation to focus on the pixie. “Oh. Yes.Thegirl. The one who fell in the stream. The one who made youlaugh.”
