In Which Lonriad Does Something Rude

December 11, 1175

"My lady." Lonriad bowed his head and pressed his lips to Rona's hand. Considering her lack of gloves, it was surprisingly warm. "I hope the ride wasn't too disagreeable?"

Rona beamed like the spring sun--a welcome change from all the snow. Lonriad had to swallow back a surge of guilt. As far as he knew, Rona had been led to believe that the afternoon had been his idea, and while he didn't care to lead girls on it did seem like the best way to go about this. Her brother had spent the last few months pestering Lonriad's father about a match, and while that was the last thing the old man cared to do, he'd managed to get Lorn off his back by suggesting a brief period of 'throw them together and see what happens'. So Lonriad was playing along; on the advice of his father, he'd sent word to Lorn requesting an afternoon with Rona, even though he doubted anything would come of it.

But it wouldn't be a total waste of a day. Even if he didn't feel that way about her, she was a pleasant enough girl.

"Of course not," she answered as the last few flakes drifted downward and settled alongside their fellows. "I daresay the crisp air is quite refreshing. Wouldn't you agree, Aspen?"

Rona's maid gave a disapproving sniff. After Jadin had knocked up Xeta, Lorn had forbidden Rona from going out unchaperoned and it seemed that this time, Aspen had drawn the short straw. Had Lonriad been in Lorn's position, he wasn't sure he'd deem a scrawny fifteen-year-old sufficient supervision, but then again Aspen was a different sort entirely. "Sir."

"Mistress Torgleid." She winced. In her mind, his voice must have sullied her name. He wasn't sure what he'd done to make her dislike him so, but then again he supposed it didn't matter. She was only the help, after all.

"So I can't help but notice that the snow ceases upon your arrival." He plastered on a grin and returned Rona's hand to her side. Her blush was nearly the shade of her cranberry coat. "It would seem the seasons turn on the cue of your smile."

Aspen rolled her eyes; Rona, however, giggled. "Then given recent years, I haven't been smiling enough."

"A pity indeed." He could keep this up all day and she would probably let him--even play along. It was an interesting change, but he wasn't sure how long he could go without tiring of it. Maybe he'd miss Asalaye telling him to knock it off and then having to retaliate with some crack about her nose.

But maybe it was better that way, seeing as Rona's nose was dainty and petite and cute as a button. Even had it not been, what could he say to her? She was a sensitive little thing, a lady--not at all like snippy little rancher's daughters who gave as well as they took.

"I trust you've been well?"

"Well enough since last you saw me." That somehow seemed inefficient. He'd have to try a little harder. "Although I could swear you've grown in beauty since then."

Better. The batting of her eyes was a positive sign. "You do flatter me."

She was a sweet girl, really. Had he been born into some other family, perhaps a betrothal to a girl like Rona wouldn't have been much of a tragedy, but he was the fifth child of a pair of star-crossed soulmates and his four older siblings had all married for love with little or no opposition from their father. If he were denied that chance as well, he might have resented his arranged bride--no matter who she was, how otherwise pleasant he found her. He just wished he could have been honest with her here.

"A blonde and a redhead. Typical afternoon for you, I take it?"

Well. Now maybe he had to be honest with her. "Laya?" Sure enough, a pig-tailed, hook-nosed figure had emerged from the front door and filed down the steps, her face mostly ambiguous but more smug than anything else. "How long have you been here?"

"At least an hour, stupid. My father has business with your father and I tagged along to visit your sister. Guess for once my nose slipped in under yours."

Now this... this was what he'd had in mind. If Rona had possessed any... err, characteristic features, he doubted she would have called any attention to them. He couldn't blame her, though. There just weren't many girls like Asalaye.

Lonriad smirked. "That's no small feat."

"And you should be both impressed and ashamed."

"Don't think I'm not." Beside him, Rona squirmed, fighting to keep a straight face; Aspen, meanwhile, looked the closest she'd been to smiling since she'd arrived. "I see you didn't make the mistake of thinking you could leave without saying hello, though."

Asalaye snorted. For a nose that large, it was a rather inoffensive sound. "More like saying goodbye, dimwit. But if you just plan on standing here all day, I couldn't have hoped to avoid you on the way out."

"Fair enough--plus I can't imagine that nose can get past me twice in one day."

"I wouldn't bet on that if I were you." She snickered, the grin on her face contagious to the point where only Rona seemed immune. Satisfied, she tightened the ties of her cloak. "Well, I'm supposed to meet Cord in the village. See you around, Lonriad."

Rona cleared her throat. "That would be Sir Lonriad to you."

"Why should it be? He's not a knight yet." Before Rona could respond, Asalaye had given Lonriad a pat on the shoulder and had brushed past the horses on the way to the gate. It was probably rude to stare after one girl for longer than a couple seconds if there were others present, but sometimes it was difficult to care.

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