The Baron of Latiz (10)

 10

Samh 08.21.1339 08:57

Baron Valanthus had gotten up early to put on Silvergor’s grey beard and wig before the household servants came around to check on him. When he had arrived last night, he had been slightly nervous that Amoranda would recognize him, but she apparently had so much on her mind that she had not paid much attention. When her uncle had proposed this scheme, he merely went along with it to humor him. He was pleasantly surprised that although Amoranda had not heeded the note he tossed her while she was in the garden with her admirers, she did seem to be willing to listen to his advice. He could not wait to get his hands on those scoundrels who wanted to kidnap her.

He had only been a few minutes at the table when Amoranda walked into the dining room. She was wearing a black unitard under a moss-green, gauze tent dress that went to her ankles. Her auburn hair was also covered with a solid, moss-green scarf that she had wrapped around the lower part of her face so only her brown eyes peered out. His breath caught. She had been an adorable but pernicious child. Now, she was a gorgeous flirt. 

“Good morning, Madam,” he said. “I don’t think I am going to fit in that unitard. She laughed, and the sound brought a smile to his face.

“Good morning, Sir,” she replied. “I figured you could order a unitard on your com-tab for delivery today. The dress might be a little short on you, but it and the scarf should fit you fine. I already ordered an outfit for the servant who will be joining you. Did you sleep well?”

“As well as these old bones will allow. Are you planning on many visitors today?” he asked as he rifled through the options on his com-tab and quickly placed the order. 

“I’ve informed the servants to allow no one but the two rogues. That way, I won’t miss them, and we can get this over with so I never have to see them again.”

“Very wise, Madam,” he said. 

A loud commotion arose in the hallway as they were enjoying their breakfast.

“I’m sorry, Sir, m’lady is not seeing any company today.”

“I know, child. She told me yesterday she would see no one except me today! Where is she?” 

Silvergor grabbed his cane and stood as Colonel Kieron burst into the room.

“Excuse me!” Amoranda shot at him, her face the picture of outrage.

“Amoranda,” the Colonel said arrogantly, and Silvergor held his cane tighter. “How do you explain this behavior? What have I done to deserve banishment?”

“Kieron,” Amoranda said, “I need to take a break sometimes from company. Taking a break from visitors makes me more pleasant when I come into company again. The last I knew, I may deny visitors as often as I please without a break in either my good nature or my good manners.”

“True, Amoranda,” Kieron said, “but I should be acceptable always.”

It was all Valanthus could do to keep from throwing the rogue out, but he knew that as long as she was handling the situation well it was best to let her do it.

“I am surprised to hear you say you should always be admitted to my home after having declared so heartily against matrimony yesterday. I believe, Kieron,” she said sharply, “you will find those mistresses you seem to prefer a little partial to variety. They will hardly like you as much as you think you deserve. So why do you expect me to behave as if I am chained to you when you have no plans of offering me marriage?”

Valanthus blushed to hear her talking of what Kieron must have proposed to her and could remain silent no longer. 

“Sir,” he lisped as best he could through his anger, “I was sent here by very good authority and have been charged to inquire of every man’s business who comes into this house. I, therefore, want to know if the lady is correct and you do not plan to marry? Why are you coming here if it is not to court her and arrange a marriage?” 

“Dear child,” Kieron said to Amoranda, “What peculiar old prude is this?” Then turning to Valanthus, he said, “Listen, geezer, your only business is in the other world, and you would do well to go prepare for it without envying us the pleasures you are past enjoying yourself.”

Valanthus locked eyes and began walking slowly toward the intruder, dropping the lisp entirely and speaking through clenched teeth, “I assure you I am still very capable of all pleasures, but the greatest pleasure that I can possibly have is to preserve the honor, dignity, and wishes of the lovely charge committed to my care. I will do this to the utmost extremity of my power, and I promise you until you give a better account of your intentions you will never see her again.”

Amoranda stood immediately and placed herself between Kieron and him. 

“I think, Sir,” she said to Valanthus. “But, you assume a power too great for so short a time we have known each other. I would prefer it if you give me leave to dismiss my visitors myself.”

Kieron popped his gloating head around Amoranda’s shoulder. 

“Well said, my dear. Would you like to take the old fool by the nose and toss him out?”

If Amoranda had not been standing between them, he would have shown the syphilis-infested sprynk what would happen if he even thought about touching him or Amoranda.

The lady kept herself between them but turned to face Kieron. 

“Absolutely not,” she said, anger still wavering her voice. “Whoever lays a hand on him has seen the last of me.”

“Madam,” Valanthus said somewhat deflated after she had rebuked him. “If I have been so unhappy as to say anything to trouble you, I here in the humblest manner ask your pardon. However, if I am not to take notice of Colonel Kieron’s behavior or the inappropriate behavior of others like him, I have no business here. It would be best if I return to him who sent me.” Stepping around her and again losing his lisp he spoke directly to the offender. “For your part, you are far to much of a spineless waste of a man to pull me by the nose.” Then, he left the room. Although defeated, he was not so foolish as Kieron probably  wished an immediately sent Pethany directly into the dining room with her mistress. 

“And, Pethany, stay with her until Colonel Kieron is gone unless Amoranda herself commands you otherwise.” Then he went to the parlor to think what would be the best path forward for himself. He chose that room in case Amoranda or her maid called out—there he would be able to hear them.