16: A Faux Romance, My Friends, This Is

Chapter 16 of "A Grail for Eidothea"

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The Pendyr family hear gossip from the village of Pysgota Mawr that Eidothea will be considered a fallen woman if an engagement is not announced soon. The engagement is agreed upon and Eidothea reveals she is not cold-hearted. Eidothea, Jasper and her Father spend the bulk of their time out-nerding each other. The concern is raised that Eidothea, now she is fully dreigiau môr, will be confined to the coast.

Jasper leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees. “We should take my carriage, drive inland, and see how far you can manage.”

I wanted to run and yet a part of me wanted to accept. Speechless, I stared down at my hands twisting in my lap.

“Half a day’s drive was more than your mother could take,” Father mused, not noticing my agitation. “Given your current circumstances, the two of you will need at least one chaperone.”

I assented to this, my forebodings easing.

Jasper rubbed his forehead. “My intention was to wait until after the banns are read.”

“All three times?” I blurted, startled. Could I wait three weeks before beginning my search for the Greal?

“Once … should suffice?” Jasper looked to my father for confirmation.

That settled, Father returned to the subject of the Grealseeker ring. “Does the ring tell you how far away it is? In what direction?”

“There is nothing but oppressive darkness and a great weight pressing down.”

“Buried and not in a box or a cupboard otherwise it would not feel the weight of earth.” Jasper straightened. “Is that all?”

“I tasted it while I was a draig môr,” I admitted, “And the flavours were quite strange.”

“Try it again, without the seawater,” Jasper suggested.

I did so, closing my eyes to focus. “There is a metallic taste, like blood. Like iron? There is also quite a strange flavour … it is quite indescribable.”

“Keep your eyes closed,” my father suggested. “Do you remember when you were a little girl and I took you to Bath to meet your grandparents? We took the waters there. Taste it again.”

I licked the ring once more. “Ohh,” I breathed. “You never do forget the taste of it, do you?”

A rap sounded on the door. I hastily hid the ring in my bodice, avoiding Jasper’s musing gaze. Father bid the person enter.

It was Jenni. “Sir, I am enquiring if Mr. Tregallas will be staying for dinner? It is almost that hour.”

Jasper looked at my father and then to me.

“We do not stand on ceremony here,” I told him. “You will not need to change in order to dine.”

“Then I will stay if you wish it.”

I turned to Jenni. “Please set another place.”

She bobbed a curtsey and left, closing the door behind her.

“I do have a question.” Jasper rose, moving slowly to stretch his legs. “Miss Pendyr became wholly dreigiau môr when she was young. Was this trip to Bath before or after?”

“Before?” I looked to my father for confirmation.

“It was after. Your uncle was concerned for me and invited us to his home in Bath to make sure we ate and slept after your mother passed.”

“Then was I fully dreigiau môr then?”

“A child still,” Father protested. “Perhaps not fully come into your power?”

“There is only one way to find out,” Jasper said. “I will speak with Mr. Smythe tomorrow about the banns. On Monday, you and I shall go on a drive. There is a town inland that far enough for our purposes.”

“Who will act as chaperone?” Father asked. “Even with the banns read once, you cannot go unattended.”

“We can take your maid,” Jasper suggested.

“I’m afraid it will have to be Aunt Norah.” Jenni experienced terrible motion sickness.

Jasper paled.

My lips twitched.  “We should tell Aunt Norah the news.”

She is thrilled by our impending nuptials. She showered Jasper with compliments all evening. I floated the idea of going to Bath for my trousseau and Aunt Norah immediately agreed to it.

“You have not seen your cousins in ages! It shall be such wonderful fun to shop with you. I know all the places. When shall we go? In May, after the banns are all announced?”

Three weeks was too long to wait.

“We shall set off Easter Tuesday,” my father declared. “I will send word of our plans to our brother so he may prepare for us.”

“To be separated from Mr. Tregallas so soon? For my niece’s heart, I protest.”

“Fear not,” Jasper interposed. “I fully intend on joining you on this trip. My father has an agent in Bristol who also has a house in Bath. I will write to him also. I do not foresee any issues in securing lodging for myself.

We did not get a minute to ourselves, with my family joining me in seeing him out after our evening repast. My misgivings grew to the point that I followed Jasper down the path to our gate.

He turned, acknowledged my aunt and father behind me, silhouetted in the warm light of my home. “Eidothea?”

“Can you make this trip without involving your father’s men? Will he not become suspicious?”

“He is suspicious of everything. I plan to assure him that I am making sure of you, so you do not beg off from the engagement.”

I groaned, knowing he could not clearly see my grimace in the twilight. “Ugh, is he so desperate for grandchildren?”

“Just one grandchild who is descended from the Grealseeker family. He is hopeful you carry enough of your mother’s lineage to be of some use in his search for the Greal.”

“They have not had much luck either in the last 1,500 years,” I reminded him.

“Agreed. But Father is desperate, no starving, for the power the Greal will offer him. Trust me, this faux romance of ours will sufficiently distract him.” He smiled. “Who knows? Perhaps given time we will become fond of each other.”

I ducked my head. “Hmm! Until tomorrow then.”

He laughed softly, crooked his finger under my chin and lifted it until I saw his face. “Until tomorrow.”

He turned, mounting his horse and riding off without a backward glance. I wanted more looks like the one he had given in Father’s study, as unwise as that might be.

3rd April, 1814

Palm Sunday

As Jesus our Lord sets Himself on the final road to Jerusalem and Death, I wonder what my future holds. The day has brought nothing but fear and uncertainty.

We arrived at St. David’s close to the hour of prayer. It is a tiny white chapel sheltered from the worst of the westerly gales by its situation behind a small rise by a stream.

Many had already stepped inside away from the cold spring breeze that promised more of winter than blooms. Those who had not yet entered, saw us, and as a body, turned their backs.

If for no other reason, agreeing to this engagement will spare my father and aunt any further ostracism. “I will go pay my respects to Mother,” I murmured, hoping my temporary absence would ease the tiny congregation’s judgement.

Father nodded, patting my hand, and released me. He tucked Aunt Norah’s arm into his and advanced toward the church door.

I stepped around the side of the church, heading to my mother’s grave. Located in a churchyard corner and heavily shaded by a copse of dense hawthorn, her tombstone lay buried under small piles of leaves. I swept them off with a gloved hand.

Quietly, so as not to be overheard, I informed her of all that had occurred and of my impending nuptials. The shady corner seemed to grow a little darker and a little colder. Did she not approve? I could not blame her.

The church bell rang out, echoing across the green valley. Wrapping my shawl tightly about my neck and shoulders, I returned to the church entrance. About to turn the corner, I halted at a familiar voice.

“…couldn’t be prouder, my son.” I had met Lord Tregallas but once, yet I recognized his distinctive baritone’s cold edge. “When you have installed her in my house…” He paused. “Is she here yet?”

“I saw them arrive while I waited for you.” I recognised Jasper’s voice, even in this subdued tone.

“Can’t stand churches,” Lord Tregallas muttered. “When she’s in my house, the Grealseeker ring is ours. You will have it from her, boy.”

I inched closer, wanting to hear Jasper’s answer. Would this be proof of loyalty or betrayal?

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