The Blue Falcon by Robyn Carr Page A

shoulder to where Edwina stood. “ And be prepared to live with Tedric as your neighbor.”
    Conan looked back to his mother and frowned. “ I had not expected to make this decision so soon,” he said.
    “ Ah, love, you will soon find that the world does not wait on your preference.” She laughed softly. “ Go, speak with Edwina. You may find that Tedric’s proposal to Medwin is your gift and not your curse. Mayhaps you would not have noticed the maid if Tedric were no threat.”
    Conan smiled at his mother, appreciative of the fact that s he had warned him. He squeezed her hand and went off in the direction of Edwina. Udele leaned against the wall, and from a distance she watched Conan react to Edwina’s lovely smile. Udele sighed with contentment. She was confident that she had turned around a prophecy.
    Edythe pulled Chandra’s arm as they rushed back to the hall, each wearing the shining gold bracelet that Lady Udele had set out for them. Many of the delicacies were being brought out for the feasting. Within the hamlet, the com mon folk dined upon the ground, torches lighting the night while they filled their bellies with meat, bread and mead. But here, in the hall, the food was much more impressive. Chandra had seen feasting before, but nothing to compare to this. Lord Alaric had planned to spare nothing in mak ing this an incredible feast. Chandra turned full circle more than once as the grand dishes were being carried into the hall.
    She found herself looking toward the head table where Lord Alaric and Lady Udele would be seated. Some of the best knights and most prestigious guests would be joining them there, along with Sir Conan, of course. But she saw something she never expected to witness. On Conan’s arm was Edwina. Chandra’s jaw dropped and her throat felt constricted as she noticed her father raising one graying brow toward Alaric, and saw Alaric return the gesture with a brief nod.
    Chandra shook herself and began looking for her place, hoping that it would not be terribly far from where Conan was seated. But in this, too, she was to be disappointed. After looking about the hall for a few moments, she found Edythe. There was an empty seat beside her and Chandra knew she was meant to sit there. The two maids were not placed with knights of good reputation but with the more youthful members of the household. Young squires, pages and maid ens were to be their meal mates.
    “ This is not where I had hoped to be this eve,” Chandra said softly, her voice catching slightly.
    Edythe did not respond, but looked across the crowded hall with tears filling her eyes. Chandra followed her gaze and saw where she looked. Sir Mallory was there, near to Conan, and he looked in Edythe’s direction. Then Mallory turned his a ttention to a knight beside him and Edythe sat down, the disappointment draining her.
    “ I see that you had other plans for the feasting too,” Chandra said sympathetically.
    “ I had thought to have finally reached a station above child,” she said sadly, turning her eyes to Chandra. “ When I could easily do my lady mother’s bidding, I thought I would at least dine with the women.”
    “ There, do not be hurt,” Chandra said with more cheer than she was feeling. “ The feasting cannot last forever. And there is much more to the banquet than eating.”
    Chandra also tried to find the knight of her choice in the packed hall. She had to stand and look over the many heads that blocked her vision to find him, but unlike Mallory, he did not bend his gaze toward her. Instead he spoke to Edwina, lea ning close to her and touc hing her hand as they talked. A rush of fear invaded her heart and she tried to abate it.
    The meal was served with great pageantry. Squires and servants brought trays and trenchers filled with grand dishes, first to the lord and then to the other guests. A buffet of grand birds, cooked and then adorned with their jackets of colorful feathers, was displayed. A swan