The Wolf of Harrow Hall (Tales of the Latter Kingdoms Book 7) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and hide something of my deshabille.
    Not a moment too soon, for Lorn Merryk entered the room, a tray in his hands. On that tray sat what looked like a pasty of some sort, and a chubby brown pot of tea, along with a mug fashioned of the same thick pottery.
    “Feeling better this morning?” he inquired as he set the tray down on the table nearest the bed.
    “Much,” I replied. Since he had already seen me in the chemise and with my hair tumbling over my shoulders, I did not feel quite as shy in his presence as I might have around yet another stranger. Still, I did find it rather odd that the castle’s steward would lower himself to wait on me in such a way. I could not admit to any great knowledge of how a castle’s household operated, but surely a chambermaid would have been better suited to that particular task?
    He poured some tea into the mug and then brought it over to me. “Let us see how this suits you.”
    I took the mug from him and allowed myself a sip. The liquid was strong, and strange, and yet I thought I could come to enjoy the flavor. “That is tea?” I asked, and then paused, embarrassed. I did not wish for him to think I had been criticizing the drink.
    But he only smiled. “Yes, truly tea, brought all the way from Keshiaar. What you are no doubt used to drinking is actually a tisane, a brew of local herbs and flowers.”
    Well, that was true enough. We often drank mixtures of chamomile and rose hips, or mint and wild licorice. My grandmother had always called it “tea,” and so had everyone else I knew, but clearly we had been misinformed. And to think the tea I now drank had come all the way from Keshiaar, that wild, exotic land thousands of leagues to the south and east. Or at least, I believed that was where it lay. I had only seen a map of the continent once, when a tinker passed through the village and had one among his wares. Oh, how I had wished that we had the coin to purchase it, so I might hang it from the cottage wall and pore over it until I had memorized all the strange names of those lands and towns that seemed so very far away.
    But of course we could not afford such a frivolity, and the tinker had rolled up the map and stowed it among his things before driving his wagon away from the village. Off to the east, toward Farendon. I recalled that much, even though I could not remember exactly how many miles he would have to travel before he reached that country’s borders.
    I offered Master Merryk a smile and said, “Thank you. It is very good.”
    “I’m glad to hear that it pleases you.”
    His aspect seemed pleasant enough, and so I said, “Forgive me, but have you inquired of his lordship as to whether he will speak with me?”
    At once the old man’s dark eyes shuttered, and he shook his head. “I told him of your presence here — for of course the lord of the castle should know such things — and of your wish to see him. He said it was not possible, and that you should deliver your message to me so I might pass it on to him.”
    I had feared such a response, but that did not make Lorn Merryk’s words any easier to hear. My fingers tightened around the mug I held. “I know I am but a lowly village girl, and perhaps Lord Greymount feels it is beneath his dignity to speak to me. However, I — ”
    Master Merryk raised a hand. “His lordship’s dignity has nothing to do with it. I told you already that he does not receive visitors.” His expression softened, and he went on, “Truly, Mistress Sendris, you need not fear telling me the reason for your journey here. I will bring your concerns to Lord Greymount, and I have no doubt that he will help you if he can.”
    Oh, so he is willing to help, but not willing to extend the simple courtesy of seeing me face to face? I thought then. I knew better than to say such a thing to the stately old man who stood before me, however. Rather than responding directly, I slanted the steward a sideways look through my eyelashes and said,