Page 51 of While Angels Slept
He grinned proudly, looking over at Arabel to see if she heard. But the young girl with big black eyes was looking at her father.
“Where is Cousin Geoff?” she asked.
Tevin went to sit on the bed next to her. “He is down in the solar,” he replied, taking Arabel’s hand and kissing it sweetly. “I have decided to send you and your Aunt Val and Lady Penden on an adventure. Would you like that?”
She took the bait of the swift change in subject. “An adventure? Where?”
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his dark eyes twinkling at her. “To a faraway castle. You can pretend you are the Princess Fair and hide away from the evil dark knight who wishes to abduct you.”
She grinned at her father. “Can I give this castle a name?”
“I suppose so. What would you name it?”
Arabel’s eyes were alight. “Castle Mandragora!”
Tevin’s eyebrows lifted. “Mandragora? Where did you hear that?”
The girl giggled nervously, looking between her father and Cantia. “I heard someone speak of it once,” she said. “’Tis another name for mandrake. I just like the name. It sounds mysterious.”
Tevin cast her a reproachful look. “Mandrake is used by witchesand half-wits. What would you know of it?”
Arabel shrugged, glancing down at the big yellow dog when it brushed against her. “Some of the servants at Thunderbey were speaking of it, once. One of the women wanted it for her husband. She said it was an apro… aprodisiac. I did not ask what it was. Do you know?”
Tevin cleared his throat and averted his gaze, glancing up at Cantia with a pleading expression. Cantia could see the panic in his eyes at the young girl’s question and she fought off a grin.
“I believe it has something to do with medicinal purpose,” she said evenly, answering for the stricken father. “But I like the name, too. It sounds very powerful.”
Arabel was successfully diverted from any more questions about aphrodisiacs. “Are we going soon?”
Cantia nodded. “As soon as I can pack a few things.”
Arabel’s expression was aglow with the possibility of another adventure. She’d spent most of her life safely locked away at Thunderbey and now she was about to have two great adventures all in the span of a couple of weeks. It was the stuff that young girls’ dreams were made of.
“The sooner the better,” Tevin grasped Cantia’s arm gently and their eyes met. “Hurry and pack. I would have you gone within the hour.”
Cantia gazed steadily at Tevin, not voicing what she was thinking.When will I see you again?But she smiled after a moment, nodding obediently as she moved for the wardrobe and pulled out two large traveling satchels. Tevin watched her, thinking the same thing she was, his heart squeezed with sorrow. She began shoving garments into the bags and he tore his eyes away only to see that Arabel was watching him intently. He felt a jolt, as if she could read his expression and know what was in his heart. He smiled warmly to cover his thoughts.
“We do not have to pack for you, I would wager,” he went to her, laying an enormous hand on her blond head. “You’ve hardly been here long enough to unpack. Where is your baggage?”
“On the wagons that Cousin Geoff brought with him,” she told him. “But what about Gerta and Mary? Will they come, too?”
She was referring to the two maid servants who had tended her since birth. Tevin thought a moment before shaking his head. “I think not,” he stroked her head gently. “I must get you away quickly and those two will only slow you down. They will be safe here.”
“But who will take care of me?” Arabel asked.
“I will,” Cantia said before anyone else could respond. She looked up from packing and noticed that a few pairs of astonished eyes were on her. She smiled at Tevin and then Arabel. “I have only had a son all these years, my lady. I have always wanted a girl. It would be my pleasure and joy to tend you until such time as I am no longer needed. Would that be all right?”
Arabel nodded timidly, looking to her father to see what his reaction was. Tevin, however, wasn’t quite sure what to say. “That is very generous of you, my lady,” he said hesitantly. “But Arabel requires more than usual tending. She cannot… well, she cannot….”
“She is a strong, lovely young lady and I look forward to helping her,” Cantia interrupted him, winking at Arabel. “It will give us a chance to become better acquainted.”
Arabel smiled brightly while Tevin’s eyes were riveted to Cantia. He wasn’t sure what more he could say. She seemed so determined. As his dark eyes stared at her with some uncertainty, Cantia simply smiled at him and went back to her packing. He continued to watch her, every graceful move she made, until she was finished with one satchel and almost finished with the second. Then she stood up.
“I must get some of Hunt’s things,” she told Tevin. “May I go to his room next door?”
Tevin nodded silently, moving to open the door of the chamber and peering outside to make sure Geoff wasn’t lingering close. Quietly, he extended a hand to her and she slipped her delicate hand into his as he took her out of the room.
“Hunt,” he addressed the young boy, now lying on the floor withhis big yellow dog. “Bolt the door after we leave. Do not open it until I return.”
