14: Allies or Enemies?

Chapter 14 of "A Grail for Eidothea"

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Eidothea is not happy that Jasper Tregallas has read her diary. He reveals he is half-draig môr and that his father hopes for a match between them to further the family’s dogged quest to find the Greal. He asks for her trust. Knowing that their families are enemies, Eidothea asks for time to consider.

Somehow, Aunt Norah and Cook prepared sandwiches for the tea in record time. It was not a lavish spread, but more typical of our country style.

Mr. Tregallas arrived on time, meeting Father, Aunt and I in the tiny front parlour. He greeted us and sat on the remaining chair. The most comfortable one we owned had gone to Father, who pinned Mr. Tregallas with a watchful gaze. So intensely, that Mr. Tregallas cleared his throat. “All is well?”

“My father knows everything,” I spoke before Father could. I ignored my aunt’s ruffle of pique at being left out of the conversation. “He is not ready to hand over my life to another.”

“Oh but marriage is a natural conclusion to a young woman’s life!” Aunt Norah handed Tregallas a brimming cup of tea.

I coughed. I did not speak of marriage as everyone but my aunt knew. I played along. “You make it sound like my life would be at an end, not a new beginning.”

“That is not what I meant,” Aunt Norah snapped, handing me my cup.

“You would be out of my life,” Father chimed in, knowing full well my double meaning. Not that I believed drinking a single cup of tea would be enough time to weigh conversations and decide my future.

“Believe me, Mr. Pendyr,” Tregallas had picked up on the undercurrent of double meaning. “I also want nothing more than to ensure Miss Pendyr’s security, and for her to continue to live happily.”

Aunt Norah trilled in delight.

‘Smooth words,’ I thought and took a sip.

“I must say, Mr. Tregallas,” said Aunt Norah, “How surprised I was to learn Lady Tregallas is your step-mother. I thought I saw a semblance between the two of you. You do not appear to take after your father.”

“Of which I am quite glad. There is little love between my parents and I. I fear my step-mother would not appreciate your comment, Mrs. Bowen.”

Aunt Norah’s hands fluttered. “Oh, I did not mean to give offence, Mr. Tregallas.”

I rolled my eyes. “Aunt, anyone would think he courted you, the way you flirt!”

She leaned over and whispered into my ear: “Then do not sit there like a lump!”

I stared at her, wide-eyed, my cup halfway to my lips. Of course she did not know what was at stake. I set down my cup and focused upon Mr. Tregallas. “I am wilting under all these hopes, Mr. Tregallas. Perhaps a turn about the garden?”

“Let him finish his cup,” Father muttered.

Tregallas gulped down the rest of his tea. “I am at your command, Miss Pendyr.”

I ignored Aunt Norah’s happy sigh.

Father set down his cup and rose. “I will be in my study. I do not wish you luck, Mr. Tregallas. A union with your family is the very last thing I desire, but I will trust my daughter in this.”

He left and Aunt Norah shooed us out. We donned coats and hats as the late March air is quite brisk.

I waited until we were far enough from the house so as not to be overheard. “I do not have an answer for you, Mr. Tregallas.”

“Miss Pendyr.” He followed my lead of not using our Christian names. “I am hardly surprised. You must have many questions. It seems your father also does not trust my family.”

“I was told your family seeks what my mother sought — for their own ends, primarily to take power—“

“Absolutely true, all of it,” Tregallas interrupted. “And though you took care not to name it, I know your mother looked for the dreigiau môr Greal. Now you are too.”

I stared at him, shocked.

He strode ahead and faced me. “I need to be completely transparent. I worry you will go off and look for this artefact on your own. If my father finds you out, you will not be safe, because he will use you to get it and dispose of you after.”

I shivered. “How do I know you have not told him everything? How do I know you are not using me now?”

“I have told him nothing. I will not be a party to his schemes. He has done nothing to inspire my loyalty.” Tregallas balled his fists, his entire body stiff.

“You have been a party to this breeding notion,” I pointed out.

“He gave me the attention I have longed for all of my life. Who would not be seduced by that? As far as he is concerned, that is what I have been most assiduously doing with my time.” Tregallas gathered my hands in his. “Your absence made me reflect upon my complicity. I will continue to keep him in the dark. He has no idea you have been gone. I believe in you, Miss Eidothea, most ardently.”

“Ardently?”

“With all my heart.” He blushed and released my hands. “It is not love I declare but my belief in you and this vision. What you saw must not happen. We cannot let oceans and civilisations perish. If the Greal falls into my father’s hands, I fear that calamity will be upon us sooner, rather than later.”

“You—you do give quite the impassioned speech.” I struggled not to be swayed by it. “But these are mere words. How can I trust that they — and you — are true?”

Tregallas ran a hand through his hair, dislodging his stovepipe hat. He quickly retrieved it from the dormant rose bush behind him. “I know not how. Trust me or not. I will not beguile you into believing me.”

I wanted to believe him, to trust him. “Did Lord Tregallas tell you about the Greal?”

He nodded. “He had me look for it. From here to London, to Edinburgh, Ireland, France. Ever since I graduated Oxford. He had me chase every clue.” He stopped. “You are full dreigiau môr.” He blinked. “Wait. How are you fully dreigiau môr? What spell did your mother cast?” He took a deep breath. “Your father … is he not…?”

“He is my father.” I folded my arms and glared at him. “Do not worry. You are not my half-brother. She gave me her grym bywyd, her magical essence when I was very ill.”

“Grym bywyd,” Tregallas breathed. “I did not know that was possible.”

“No doubt your ignorance is due to the fact that it requires sacrifice. Something I do not see your father doing.”

He had the grace to bow his head in acknowledgement. “No, indeed. How are you going to leave the ocean behind now that you are dreigiau môr?”

“We will find out.” I sucked in air. What had I said?

He recognised my offer at once. “We?” Then I am included?” His hopeful gaze gave him a boyish air.

I attempted to set a boundary. “You have information. Knowledge, at least, of the dead ends in this quest. I do not know how much to trust you. That takes time, and I do not have that. But I am willing to use you. Dreigiau môr have been searching for the Greal for generations but there is a new urgency. We are running out of time.”

“That vision.” Tregallas nodded. “It will not be.” His gaze focused behind me. He smiled. “You should know your aunt is watching us.”

“I am not surprised.” I smiled ruefully. “Father is waiting for us in his study. I am not alone in this search, you see.”

“What do we do about your aunt? Should we give her hope?” Tregallas moved closer, lowering his head to be near mine.

I stepped back. “She will hope purely from our entering Father’s study. Do we need to do more?”

Tregallas straightened and cleared his throat. “Given that it looks like we have been arguing … perhaps we could close our discussion by my kissing your hand?”

I proffered my gloved hand. He took it in both of his and bent over, but instead of kissing my hand, he went down on one knee. “What…?” I pulled him up, unintentionally bringing him closer.

His hands came to rest on my hips. His lips brushed my forehead. “Your aunt needs to worry only about your trousseau, not our real purpose.” His breath warmed my skin.

He straightened, putting air between us and crooked his arm in invitation. I stared at him for a long moment before accepting it.

Aunt Norah waited at the front door, watching us walk toward her, with her hands clasped at her bosom.

I managed a smile. “Not a word, Aunt. Let us say we have decided to court.”

“I am so grateful, Mr. Tregallas, that you have taken so to my niece.” She backed down the hallway as we entered.

Tregallas smiled and patted my hand, still tucked in the crook of his arm. “She has quite captivated me, Mrs. Bowen. We would like to persuade Mr. Pendyr of the matter.”

Aunt Norah almost skipped down the hallway ahead of us. I wish I felt her joy, something other than the uneasy trepidation at this new alliance. She opened the study door, calling out to my father and then she left us. My aunt looked at me quizzically when I did not follow her down the hall.

“This concerns me,” I told her and closed the door between us.

Father looked up from his paper-and-book strewn desk. “You decided in his favour?” His cold tone belied his earlier faint approval.

Tregallas stood immobile. I passed him and sat at a chair opposite Father. “For now. He will be of use to us as we narrow our options in our search for the Greal. His family have been hunting it for generations, like my mother’s family.”

“But to different ends.” Tregallas moved to where he could see us both. “I believe if anyone other than Miss Pendyr finds the Greal, her terrible vision will come to pass.”

Father grunted an assent. “That is enough for one night. Leave me to continue to research some options and let us meet again.”

Tregallas sketched a brief bow. “Until then.”

“I will see you out.” I let the way to the front door. “It is almost dark, Mr, Tregallas. Will you find your way?”

“Not Mr. Jasper? It is just the two of us.” He took my hand.

I shook him off. “It is best we stick to formalities for the time being. I would not want either one of us to assume such trust is in place.”

He bowed his head. “As you like, Miss Pendyr.”

“Well?” Aunt Norah interrogated, the moment the door closed on him. “Have you accepted him? Has your father?”

Aunt!” I exclaimed. “We have agreed to continue the courtship, as I said. It is far too soon to discuss marriage.”

“But he is interested?”

“Yes.” I could not lie when his attentions spoke so plainly even if his motivations were in doubt.

“And you?”

And me? Mr. Jasper Tregallas is a man I like and would trust if I hadn’t known his family’s history and reputation.

“Your hesitation suffices.” Aunt Norah smiled.

“What does that mean?” My cheeks grew hot.

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