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man； and I know he'll do his best to make the marriage more than just a legal form for getting heirs； but … but … 〃
〃But neither of them really has a choice；〃 Morgan said； answering what she could not articulate。 〃I know。 It doesn't make me very happy either。 Unfortunately； such duties go with a crown。〃
〃I suppose。〃 She was silent a long time； her thoughts shuttered inside those private areas Morgan would not have thought of invading； until finally she sighed again。
〃Well； if the marriage happens； you're going to have to take charge of Kelson；〃 she said。 〃I don't know how a man feels about such things； but I do know how a woman feels。 Despite whatever she may want； Sidana of Meara will probably be our next queen。 She's bound to be afraid and unhappy and upset； but there's no reason it has to be as bad as it could be。 I've been in a similar position； perhaps I can help her see the positive aspects。 If you'll allow it； I'll ask to be a lady…in…waiting … and her friend； if she'll have me。 I feel so sorry for the girl； Alaric。〃
〃My beautiful Richenda；〃 Morgan murmured； drawing her closer into the circle of his arms。 〃I am so very； very glad I found you。〃
He had also found； he reflected； as he drifted off to sleep； at least a temporary diversion for his wife's discontent so long as she remained in Rhemuth； at any rate。
Early Christmas morning； Haldane scouts reported the approach of a Mearan herald and a man…at…arms； perhaps two hours away at their present pace。 A page brought the news to Kelson in Dhugal's chamber； where king and border lord had been speculating on that very subject while Dhugal dressed for his investiture。 The king himself wore an ankle…length court robe of Haldane scarlet； ermine showing at wrists and hem and along the deep slits front and back； but he had not yet put on his crown Or the other accoutrements of his kingship。
〃I don't like the sound of that； do you？〃 Kelson asked； when page and squire had been dismissed； watching Dhugal knot a narrow sash over his grey woolen tunic。 〃A herald and one man…at…arms。 Not even a delegation。 What do you suppose it means？〃
With a snort； Dhugal shook out a cloak of fine MacArdry tartan and slung it around his shoulders； holding it closed with one hand while he rummaged in a wooden casket for a suitable brooch。 The yellow； black； and grey plaid made bright contrast to the nubby grey wool beneath。
〃Not a surrender； I'll warrant … but then； we never did really expect that； did we？ I take it you will receive them？〃
〃I will … after we've finished with your investiture。 It won't do them any harm to cool their heels for a while。 That's part of what heralds are paid to do。〃
〃That's true； I suppose。〃
As Dhugal threaded the pin of a heavy ring brooch through the two edges of his cloak。 Kelson raised an eyebrow and leaned closer； tipping the carved silver toward the light with two fingers underneath the edge。
〃That's a striking piece。 Border silver？〃
Dhugal nodded and turned the ring into place； fussing with the arrangement of the cloak's folds on his shoulders。
〃Aye。 This one's a MacArdry clan motif。 It's been in the family for generations。 I suppose I really ought to wear the chief's tore； too。 Ciard said he'd put it in the bottom of the casket。 Would you see if you can find it？〃
With a grunt for answer。 Kelson turned his attention to the wooden casket。 He remembered the tore。 Old Caulay had worn it when he came forward to swear fealty at Kelson's coronation。 Underneath several other brooches and rings； something the right size and shape lay wrapped in the folds of a white rabbit pelt。 Ornately chased end bosses in the shape of golden horses' heads protruded from the fur as Kelson slid it out from under the other things； but he handed it off without a second look as he continued to poke at what was left in the chest。
〃It looks like Ciard brought you the entire Transha treasury；〃 he said； pulling out a ring encrusted with granulated gold。 〃Is this a Transha seal？〃
〃That？ Oh； aye。 Transha； as opposed to MacArdry。〃 Dhugal burnished the tore against his sleeve and then slipped it around his neck； pulling his braid free and adjusting the cloak and collar so they would not interfere。 〃It probably ought to be added to the rest of the regalia； actually。 I think it goes with the coronet。 Does someone have that？〃
〃Probably Ciard；〃 Kelson replied。 〃One of your men； at any rate。〃 He slipped the signet on his own finger； where he would not lose it； and poked in the casket some more。 〃Here； this one's nice … the cloak clasp with the lion's head。 Why don't you wear that instead of the ring brooch？〃
〃That？〃 Dhugal gave it a perfunctory glance as he took it from Kelson； they shook his head and put the clasp back in the casket。
〃Not today for that one； I think … though I promise to wear it to your wedding； if you end up marrying Sidana。〃 He closed the lid of the casket with a hollow clunk。 〃I'm told my father gave it to my mother on their wedding day … which makes it far more suitable for a celebration of love than for the creation of a warlord； don't you agree？〃
〃Hmmm； I suppose。 I still like it better than the ring brooch； though。〃
Dhugal； thrusting a sheathed dirk through the back of his sash； grinned and gave a sheepish nod。
〃So do I； if you really want the truth。 But if I didn't wear the proper badges of my rank as chief； especially for my first formal reception at court； I might offend my clansmen。 They think it's far more important to be their chief than it is to be your earl。 You know how it is in the borders。〃
〃Oh； aye；〃 Kelson said； mimicking Dhugal's broad border accent and smiling as he bade him twirl around for inspection。
He was sober again by the time Dhugal finished turning； though； the grey Haldane eyes shadowed with just a trace of apprehension。
〃What's wrong？〃 Dhugal asked。
Sighing； Kelson glanced at his boots。 〃I wish that all I had to do this morning was to make you an earl；〃 he said quietly。 〃I'm not looking forward to the rest。〃
〃Neither is anyone else；〃 Dhugal replied。
〃Then； why do we do it？〃
〃I suppose … because we have to。〃
〃We have to；〃 Kelson repeated。
Drawing a deep breath； he let it out explosively and looked up with a grin that was only a little strained。
〃Well； if you put it that way； I suppose it's time I finished putting on the badges of my rank； don't you think？ Can't make you an earl without them； you know。〃
〃Certainly not！〃 Dhugal retorted； picking up the cue。
They continued to banter on that level all the while Kelson finished dressing； and even up to the very doors of the great hall。
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
And I shall even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness。
Hosea 2：20
Christmas Court： The tang of evergreen and cedar in Kelson's nostrils … more pungent scent of pine knots dipped in pitch； lighting his way through the packed； murmuring hall。 Silver trumpet voices； a flourish of drums。 Bright…clad forms giving him obeisance as he moved among them； rows of courtiers in holiday finery； some lightly armed； ladies bright and graceful as songbirds。
As on most great feast days； he wore the jewelled state crown of his coronation rather than the simpler circlet of gold he usually favored。 His