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

“I must thank you for such personal attention, Master Merryk. Surely it is not usual that the steward of a castle would bring an uninvited guest her morning meal?”
    At that question, his back went rigid. “We have very few servants here. His lordship leads a modest life.”
    Not even a chambermaid? I thought then, wondering at such austerity. My question must have shown in my face, for Master Merryk spoke again.
    “We have no women servants at Harrow Hall. I thought you would be more comfortable if I brought you your breakfast, since we had already met last night. But if you wish for one of the other men to attend you — ”
    “No, thank you,” I said hastily. How odd that they would have no women working in the castle! However, it was not my place to question Lord Greymount’s quirks more than I already had. If truly I was the only woman here, then of course it was far more comfortable to have the elderly steward see to my care, rather than a strange man, one who possibly would be younger and not as circumspect around a woman who was far from the protection of her friends and family. “I am honored to have you come and look in on me, Master Merryk.”
    The faintest twitch of his lips, a twitch which seemed to deepen the lines that ran from his nose to his mouth. “I thought perhaps you might see it that way.” He turned so he could retrieve the plate which held the pasty, then laid it on my lap. “I fear my predictions were accurate — the storm shows no sign of letting up.”
    “Yes, I saw that,” I replied.
    At once his gaze strayed to the window where I had drawn back the curtains, and from there to the wardrobe, whose doors still stood open. In my haste to scramble back into bed, I had quite forgotten to close the wardrobe back up. “The gowns should fit you, I think.”
    “Oh, no,” I said at once. “I couldn’t presume to wear anything so fine.”
    He shook his head. “You must dress yourself in something, for the garments you were wearing when you came here are quite ruined. I assure you, she who once owned those gowns is long gone, and will not care if someone else has their use.”
    I didn’t know if I should be dismayed that my skirt and bodice had been muddied and stained beyond repair, or excited at the prospect of wearing one of those beautiful dresses. Never in a hundred years could I have imagined that I might be able to dress myself in something suited for the court at Tarenmar — or rather, suited for that court as it might have been some thirty-odd years ago. We did not follow fashion in Kerolton, but even I knew those gowns were several decades out of date.
    “‘She who once owned them’?” I ventured.
    “His lordship’s late mother, the gods rest her.” An expression of sorrow passed over his face, but he grew stern immediately after. “She has been gone longer than you have been alive, Mistress Sendris, so do not worry that you are overstepping your bounds. And now you should eat that pasty before it is completely cold. I will check on you at midday.”
    He gave me a slight bow then before heading out the door. As it shut, I caught a glimpse of a corridor of grey stone, with a faded tapestry covering part of the wall in front of the entrance to my room. That single glimpse was all I got, however, and offered very little to tell me of how large the castle really was, or how far that corridor extended.
    Perhaps that was all I’d ever get to see, until the storm broke and Master Merryk escorted me from this place. Certainly nothing he had said so far seemed to indicate that I would ever get to see the master of the castle.
    I told myself to be patient, then lifted the pasty from its plate and took a bite. It was good, filled with chunks of venison and potato, and with a savory sauce. After that first mouthful, I realized how hungry I really was, and made short work of the rest of it, wishing that the steward had brought two. Perhaps, since there were no other women in the