The Baron of Latiz (3)

3

Samh 8.17.1339

Amoranda’s parlor was crowded almost every day with all sorts of gentlemen. She was pleased to be admired. Although she loved none of them, she made an effort to be complaisant to all. Among the large number of admirers, Colonel Kieron was one who loved himself and held himself in such high regard that he could hardly be persuaded any woman had merit enough to deserve the smallest of his favors much less deserve the greatest favor of being his partner for life. Amoranda knew this about him but still tolerated his arrogance. He visited her often, always trying to get her to give him an hour’s private diversion.

One day, he came to see her so early in the morning that she was hardly awake when he arrived. She sent down word that she would come down as soon as she could get herself dressed, and then she would spend time with him. When she was ready, her servants informed her Kieron was waiting in the garden. She found him standing at the end of the walk where the fragrant jasmilla flower and the citrusy calamello trees bloomed. At first, she thought he was admiring her Rape of Hellen statue, but as he turned, she saw a com-tab in his hand. He was frowning as he studied it. He quickly flicked the screen a few times and then put it down on the ground beside the bench. She frowned.

Kieron stood up and returned to surveying the statue.

“Good day, Kieron,” Amoranda said with the lightest air, “How are we to construe these early morning visits of yours? I know they are not love because as the ancient Congreve says, a ‘lover can no more leave his bed in the morning than he can sleep in it’ at night.”

“Madam,” he said uncertainly at first, “a contemplative admirer has some respite from his pain, but a restless one has none.” He regained his regular boldness as he continued. “I hope you know I am one of the last sort. I have come to look for my repose where I lost it.”

“How you talk!” Amoranda said. “You’re a man with such an artful tongue that there’s no dealing with you. Come,” she said, “take my hand, and let’s go fishing. I sent my tackle ahead with a roboservant. Let’s see if we can have some fun.”

“Amoranda,” Kieron said, “everything is a diversion when I am in your company. If you can captivate the fish as well as you do those of your own species, you will soon drain the streams of your stock.”

“If I catch too many of either sort, I have a very good way of disposing of them.”

“In what manner?” Kieron asked. 

“Why, one I throw into the water again and the other I let consume himself in his own flames.”

“You are like a cruel deity—pleased only when your worshippers sacrifice their lives.”

“I may be. I admit I pity the poor fellows who court me sometimes, but you know, we can’t love everybody.”

By this time, they had come to the manmade stream that ran along the edge of her extensive garden.

“Now, come, let’s catch some fish and change the subject,” she said, handing him a fishing pole.

“Hang the fish,” Kieron said.

“That’s the only way to do it,” she countered saucily, “because we’ll never be able to drown them. But how is it that you are so indifferent to such a fine and ancient pastime?”

“Because, I am so eagerly pursuing a heart that I don’t care for any other diversion. Come, let’s leave this trail and take a walk in that pleasant grove over there, where I will lay open my heart, which is ready to burst with love.”

He grabbed her hand and started leading her down the path to the woods, but Pethany, Amoranda’s maid, met them.

“Madam, one of Kieron’s servants is asking for him. Apparently, his brother arrived suddenly and has immediate need of him.” This news was greatly unwelcomed by Kieron, who cursed his ruined plans. With an angry face, he took his leave from her. 

Amoranda frowned again. She could never understand why he got so upset at the smallest things.

“I am both concerned and surprised m’lady, to see you so free in that gentleman’s company,” Pethany said as soon as he was gone from sight. Pethany had been with Amoranda since she was young and had never catered to her whims. With both Amoranda’s parents gone, she was her only source of advice and guidance.

“After the account you received of his temper in general and which you can see for yourself, that would have been enough to make me want to stop seeing him. When you received that message yesterday about his particular behavior to the poor lady, I expected you to turn him away the instant he darkened your doorstep. I wish it were in my power to prevent you from seeing him at all. I can read what he wants in the looks he was giving you, and I am satisfied his intentions are dishonorable.”

Amoranda burst out laughing. 

“The poor lady that wrote to me,” she replied, “is probably one of the miners’ daughters, I suppose. He might have promised her marriage for a night’s lodging. I am sure she thinks since he made a fool of her that he will do it to all women. No, no, Pethany. When jealous, some people will claim to want to inform others about the faults of the men they desire, but I love to disappoint their spite. For that reason, I planned to ignore that message.”

“M'lady, the message was written in a style and with such composure as to have come from someone finer than a miners’ daughter. Read it again, and—”

“Fine, I will,” Amoranda said, feeling in her pocket for her com-tab. “But where is my com-tab? I had it last night in the garden by the calamello trees. Come let’s go look for it there. I must have left it.” 

“We need not look for the message if that’s where you left your com-tab. I’m sure Kieron found it. That’s where he walked the whole time you were dressing.”

“That is impossible,” Amoranda said. “If he found it, he would have told me. He certainly wouldn’t have tried to get into it or read my messages. Let’s go look for it.” 

While they walked back to the area of the garden where Amoranda had lost her device, she remembered that she saw Kieron at a distance putting a com-tab on the ground. The confused and uncertain look on his face when she came nearer to him formed in her head. However, she had said so much to vindicate his honor to Pethany that she resolved to conceal her new thoughts. 

She frowned when she discovered it had been her com-tab Kieron was messing with earlier. She opened it and found her device unlocked. The message from the mysterious young woman, which she knew had been open when she had set the com-tab down, was also missing. 

Thankfully, she was able to access deleted items. She pulled it up and read it more carefully this time: 

“If the advice of a stranger can be of any importance, I beg you, good madam, to be cautious around Colonel Kieron. He desires nothing but to ruin our whole sex. Please believe me, who have fatally experienced him. His designs upon you will make you miserable. If you fall into his snare after so true a warning from one who only wishes you not to make her same mistakes, you have nobody but yourself to blame.”

“In my opinion, madam,” Pethany said, “the person who wrote it paints his picture much better than he does a self-portrait.” 

Amoranda thought about Kieron’s attempts to get her to go off with him alone into a secluded part of the garden. Then she remembered his anger at having his plans interrupted. However, she never liked to think ill of others so she soon forgot these indiscretions.