The Scarecrow (Master of Malice Book 1) by Cas Peace Page B

his comfort after what he had to tell her.
    Bucyrus was fresh and fast; it didn’t take Taran long to reach Jinny’s home. His arrangement with Jinny was such that he treated her home as his own whenever he desired to be there. He was well known by her servants and never needed to announce himself. He rode round the side of the solid square building and dismounted in the gravel-laid yard. A groom emerged from the lamp-lit stables to take Bucyrus from him.
    “I won’t need him again tonight, Matty, but I’ll probably have to return to the castle early in the morning.”
    “Right y’are, sir,” the young lad said cheerfully, touching his cap as he led the stallion to the stables.
    Taran had status in Port Loxton now, not only because of his position in the King’s service, but also because of the part he had played in the rescue of Prince Eadan from this very mansion. He still wasn’t comfortable with the deference of Jinny’s servants.
    He strode into the mellow warmth of the mansion, stamping his feet to remove the light dusting of snow that had fallen during the day. It’s definitely getting colder. There’ll be some serious snowfalls soon. He pulled off his boots and stepped into the soft house slippers Jinny insisted he wear. He left his boots where they were; it always scandalized Jinny if he cleaned them or put them away himself. She often asked him scathingly what he thought servants were for. “I don’t pay them good wages to watch you work, Taran!” she would say.
    He moved through the huge house, looking into various rooms, and finally tracked her down in the kitchens going through the herb store with Alice.
    Alice had joined Jinny’s household after the Baron’s trial. She had once been nursemaid to Seline and Eadan, but had been cast out by the Queen—or, more accurately, by the Baron—on the pretext of being unreliable. In reality, it was because she had seen too much. Whatever the reason, she’d been forced to leave with no character reference and had fallen into the trap most unsponsored young girls did: prostitution.
    Rescued by the intervention of Sullyan and the contrition of the King, Alice had been offered her old position at the castle. Though overcome with gratitude, she was uncomfortable at the thought of returning there, especially as the Queen was still in residence at the time. When Jinny heard of her distress she offered Alice the position of housekeeper at the mansion. Alice had served Jinny faithfully ever since.
    Both girls looked up in surprise as Taran appeared in the herb store doorway. The Adept noted Jinny’s welcoming smile with less than his usual pleasure. She wouldn’t remain glad to see him for long.
    “Taran!” The Baroness came over and kissed him. “I hadn’t expected to see you tonight. Why didn’t you send me a message? I could have arranged a special supper.”
    Taran spared a warm smile and a quick greeting for Alice as he took Jinny by the arm and led her from the room. “I hadn’t expected to be here myself, Jinny. The King received a message and I need to tell you about it. And there’s something else I need to talk to you about.”
    Taran’s serious tone and averted eyes transmitted his mood to his partner. Jinny was used to Taran’s character by now; she could tell when he was happy or sad, or when he had something difficult to say.
    “What is it, love? What’s happened?” She clasped his hand in an effort to halt him.
    “Let’s go into the drawing room. This is private business and I don’t want to be overheard.”
    Puzzled and alarmed, Jinny allowed him to steer her into the lavishly decorated drawing room. As it was only used when Jinny entertained, he knew it would be deserted and none of the servants would blunder in while they were talking. He closed the door behind them and crossed the carpet, bidding Jinny sit on the settle. He seated himself beside her and took up her hands, feeling her tremble as she always did when anticipating