Glya curtsied to Queen Farida, almost going to the floor on her knees. 

Farida was a queen of mature beauty. A smooth jaw and a crisp nose with a beauty mark hidden along the crease. Her dark hair piled atop her head with dazzling jewel pins. Her bloodline from the borderlands of the north and south, blessed with minerals and spices, gifted her skin the ochre of her land. The people of Ochrestion considered themselves born of the spice and bound to return to it. Their then marquess and now queen embodied their beliefs perfectly. 

When Gyla rose, the older woman smiled kindly at her. 

“My husband and your father seemed to have been conspiring on your behalf to catch the Duke of Hermilants,” her smile widened as Gyla’s cheeks burned hot. “I have not heard of any ladies most willing to hunt the duke down the way your mother hunted your poor father. I am sure they would accept any arrangements made but that is neither here nor there when he has such a beautiful woman most willing for the task.” 

“I am most willing,” Gyla assured her. 

She had been nothing but honest to her maid, Naomi, the night after the banquet. Her poor maid’s cheeks still glowed red at the ferocity she described. But, who else to blame except the maid that snuck her the most scandalous books? 

Naomi meant well by it. She just couldn’t anticipate the fervor it would unlock in her lady. 

“What has interested you so in the duke?” Farida gestured for them to walk together, their ladies maintaining a distance. 

The gardens would be nice this time of year. Fresh blooms highlighted among the green foliage. Warm sunlight breaking through the outstretched oak branches. 

“I saw him, just before the banquet. Got himself into quite the mess.” 

“Oh?” Farida grinned at her. “Please tell.”

“A runaway cart just outside the western gate. He rushed after it, faster than anything I’ve ever seen, and managed to bring it back to the merchant.” Gyla fidgeted with her fingers. “I think I must have frightened him off last night with all my staring.”

Farida wrapped an arm around Gyla’s shoulder, “I am most sure he did not expect your attention last night and ran away, confused, as most men do when they meet such a strong headed woman.” 

“I was afraid to have ruined my chances,” Gyla admitted softly as they headed down the garden path to a bench. 

“Not likely. He will need some persuasion,” Farida assured her. “You have an advantage, though!”

“Oh?” Gyla’s heart pounded in her chest as they took their seats. 

“You are Theodora’s daughter,” the queen waved a hand as if it was obvious. “That is all you will need.” 

Gyla very much doubted that. 

“What exactly has my father and His Majesty planned?” 

“We are going to be staying at Aedon castle with the duke.” Farida clapped her hands in delight. “They have a wonderful festival this time of year to celebrate Aedon’s creation and its successful repelling of the Catamaran pirates.”

Aedon’s castle was Dominis’ great, great, great–grandfather’s design. Aedon never saw it completed but his son did and it played a major role in pushing off pirates from cutting the resources of the region. It brought with it many favors for their household. Dominis’ grandfather added a lighthouse so that ships would avoid the rocky coast and land safely in the harbor that Aedon overlooked. 

The duke did not stay there all year around, according to Gyla’s research. He maintained a manor in the center of his dukedom. It granted him better access to oversee the lumber production and visit Lindor Patch when necessary. 

“I am very grateful for this intervention.” Gyla hoped not to mess it up. 

“I am very happy to be facilitating this whole thing.” She grabbed Gyla’s hand and tugged her off into another section of the gardens. “I do love matchmaking.” 

A well know fact and Gyla giggled behind her hand.