Too Trusting

Writers: Estelle
Date Posted: 2nd March 2020

Characters: Brina, Lioran
Description: Lioran shares her suspicions with Brina
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha, Bryvin

Brina

Lioran stood behind her lady at the dressing-table, gently running a
brush through the long, thick waves of her hair. There were strands of
silver among the dark mass now, but it was still as soft and full as it
had been when she'd carried out this task when Brina had been no more
than a girl.

"Almost done, my lady." She set the brush down and began to braid the
hair so that it wouldn't tangle in the night. Meeting the younger
woman's gaze in the mirror, she smiled, but noticed the faint shadows
under her eyes. It had been a long day, with the Headwoman departing
unexpectedly and then an afternoon Threadfall, but she thought that
Brina had managed it all beautifully.

"Thank you, Lioran." Brina returned her smile. "Why don't we have some
tea together before bed, if you're not too tired? It'll be like the old
days, back when my husband was away and we stayed up late, talking."

"Of course, my lady. I'd like that." Lioran tied off the braid with
swift fingers and stepped back. While she fetched the tea set and set a
kettle to boil at the fire, Brina ensconced herself in the comfortable
chair that had become her favourite and wrapped a shawl around her
shoulders against the cool night air.

"Ah, thank you." Brina accepted a cup, and blew gently on the steaming
liquid. She tucked her feet up under her, like a girl. "I don't know
what I'd do without you, Lioran. The young ladies today! I'm sure Lady
Tarani puts a new grey hair on my head every time I see her."

"She is a very lively, spirited girl, ma'am." Lioran had also discovered
that Lady Tarani was often to be found strolling around the Hold's
grounds when a particular young guard was on duty, and a few
affectionate words had been exchanged. All very innocent so far, and not
enough to bother her lady with...yet.

"And we really must decide what to do about Lady Oufelle. I said that I
would help her find a match outside the Hold, but finding someone who's
unmarried, suitable to her rank and willing to have her, is not so easy.
I'm afraid word must have got out about that incident at the creche, and
the holders think she's out of favour with Bryvin." She sighed and
sipped her tea. "Well, she is still of good family, and I suppose it
will be forgotten in time."

"It may take longer that you think for her reputation to be restored, my
lady." Lioran seated herself on a low chair, nearby, and smoothed down
her skirts. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Headwoman was taking care of
that."

"The Headwoman?"

"It's well known she was furious about what happened at the creche,"
Lioran said. "That little boy was family, after all."

"Yes, her cousin." Brina frowned. "But I'm sure she would do nothing
improper. Oufelle is still a Lord Holder's daughter."

"Oh, I do hope not. It would be most unfortunate for the Hold if Lord
Selvik were to find out she'd been treated badly." The maid stirred her
tea with a gentle clink of spoon on china. "While she hopes for a good
match, though, I'm sure she won't say anything."

"Then I'd better find someone soon." Brina set down her cup and massaged
her temples. "Oh, that silly girl. I see now how lucky I was with Ebria.
She was never so foolish, though I did wonder if she would ever learn to
be ladylike."

"Your daughter is a lady at heart, ma'am. It was no wonder she married
so well," Lioran said. "She would never have struck a child. Certainly
not one to whom the Lord Holder showed such unusual affection."

"Unusual?" She looked up. "Do you think so? But Bryvin has always been
kind to children. You've seen how he is with his own."

Lioran raised her head and met her lady's gaze, but said nothing.

A frown creased Brina's brow, and then her mouth opened as she took the
woman's meaning. "Oh, Lioran, really! You ought not to imply anything of
the sort. It would be an insult to the Headwoman as well as to my
brother. The child is her cousin." She knew Bryvin was not perfect, he'd
told her so himself, but surely he would not stoop to such behaviour.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to suggest Lord Bryvin had behaved
wrongly in any way. But I really think you ought to know what people are
saying. The drudges say that the boy was brought to the Hold as an
infant by the Headwoman, after a short absence, and no-one has ever
heard of any other relatives. And then, of course, there are his looks.
There is a strong resemblance."

Brina shook her head. "Nonsense. I'm surprised at you, Lioran, that you
listened to such gossip and didn't rebuke those who shared it. My
brother is incapable of bringing such a child into the Hold, when he had
a wife and an heir the same age. Nor would Headwoman Yriadha be a party
to such a deception." She drained the test of her tea. "I hope you'll
say so if you hear anyone mention this again."

"Yes, my lady. I am very sorry, but I thought you ought to know." Lioran
stood and began to gather the tea things.

She sighed. "I understand. It's best that this rumour is dealt with
immediately. From what you say, it's gone on far too long, and if it
were to reach the young ladies' families, there would be no end of
trouble." She handed the maid her teacup. "I rely on you to see to it."

"Of course, my lady." Lioran carried away the tray to a sideboard and
began to close the curtains for the night. Her lady was far too
trusting, she thought. She didn't know the world, or the ways of men -
or of women like Yriadha. It was fortunate that she had Lioran to deal
with the more sordid side of life on her behalf. And if that
strengthened her position in the Hold, it was all to the good.

Last updated on the May 31st 2020

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Too Trusting