“You think he’ll run?” Hemming asked with a crease across his brow.
“I can’t fathom what he’ll do,” I said, suddenly tired. “That’s the problem.”
Hemming tapped a finger against his chin, thoughtful. “Finley always knew how to handle Lennart. Somehow, he figured out how to get Lennart to answer to and respect him. Now that he’s gone, I’m afraid Lennart has become something of a liability. He won’t answer to me; he’s made that quite clear. He obviously doesn’t care too much about the king’s safety if he’s abandoning his post whenever he feels like it. I think Lennart’s time on the hill may be over.”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, unable to fight a sense of foreboding. “He knows too much about the goings-on here, and the king’s personal life. That information would be valuable to our enemies. We can’t afford to send him away. What has been done in the past in situations like this?”
“This is the first time I’ve contemplated having a Defender discharged,” Hemming said. “None of the others have lasted this long or put me in this position. I’ll bring it before the king. We’ll see what he wants to do about Lennart. For now, I think you’re wise to keep an eye on him.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I smiled and nodded when people acknowledged me, but continued walking the perimeter. The king would be making his speech soon. I had to be sure no suspicious characters were lingering by the stage or in the surrounding buildings.
We had chosen the same square for the island’s anniversary celebration that we had for the king’s wedding because the same escape routes Viggo and I had made in case of an emergency could be applied tonight. And also because it was the only space on the island large enough to hold all the attendees. So far, the evening was progressing well. The square was alight with paper lanterns, violet ribbons, cream-colored lace, boughs of baby’s breath, and white roses with touches of ivy. The musicians played from the raised gazebo toward the back, tables and chairs were arrayed along the outer rim, and the dance floor had been installed in the middle. It was another enormous party.
There was feasting, dancing, and entertainers from Sippa’s School of Arts. The air was filled with sweet fragrances and the hum of happy chatter. Thanks to the large bonfire that had been lit at sunset, even those with inadequate winter wear were warm.
I’d opted for a dress of my own design tonight, one made of maroon velvet with a gold trim. Despite Dagmar’s disapproval, I refused to be stuck in a corset and a hoop skirt again. I didn’t need to be as elegant tonight. This event, although prestigious, wasn’t nearly as important as the wedding had been. Or so I told Dagmar. I had also managed to convince her that I didn’t need all of my hair pinned on the top of my head; the lower half swung gently from side to side against my back as I walked. It was comforting and liberating. It seemed my speech about boundaries had done some good. I hoped my handmaiden would continue to consider my opinions on certain matters in the future.
Princess Evie raced by me with her infamous cousin Indria, two flashes of purple and pink puffs chasing a poor homeless dog across the square. Their laughter echoed back to me even through the crowds of people. I smiled, knowing Helka would see the spectacle soon and nearly faint in mortification. It only took a moment of searching to spot Prince Haskell, who stood by the buffet table with an innocent smile on his face while he sneakily spooned extra potatoes onto his already-full plate. I let my eyes wander to the tables where I soon spotted Prince Raoul, sulking. He glowered at Bryn, who danced with a young, petite girl with long brown hair and pretty hazel eyes. It appeared all had gone well with Bryn’s secret admirer. Unfortunately for Raoul, she just so happened to be Raziya, the girl who had rejected the prince two months ago.
I shook my head at the situation my friend had managed to find himself in and kept walking. Despite the enormous amount of work Bryn had done this week, he’d still found time to construct the earplugs for me. He created small ear-hole-shaped tubes made with a layer of candle wax and metal. Inside were several drops of water, which sloshed around when I walked. Even if some form of sound could penetrate the exterior, it would still have to compete with the sound of moving water in my sensitive ears. I was avoiding the general like the terrible plague he was, but if I did run into him, I could quickly slip the plugs into my ears and be protected.
I spotted Gabor, Hemming, and Viggo among the sea of faces around me. Lennart was currently under house arrest until Torvald could figure out what to do with him. Master Philo was here with his family along with most of the guards employed by our guard master. If our enemies decided to strike tonight, we would be ready.
My stomach growled when I passed the buffet table. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until just then. I snagged a plate and small portions so that I could finish quickly and continue patrolling. Then I found an empty table and sat.
“Lady Isa!” someone cried, drawing my eyes to the right. Out of the crowd came Helka and Bodil, dressed in golden and white ball gowns.
I managed a smile. “Good evening.”
“I’m so glad you’ve found time to sit and rest, my dear,” Bodil said. “What with all the excitement, I’m sure you’re positively exhausted!”
“Thank you for your concern. Are you enjoying the festivities?”
Bodil adjusted the ridiculous white feather in her dark hair. “Yes and no. My husband danced with me once before mysteriously disappearing. The trouble with being married is that it is suddenly inappropriate to dance with anyone other than your husband. I’ve had to entertain myself by other means.” She snapped her fingers at a passing server, who came and gave her a glass of champagne.
Helka took the seat beside me, fanning her flushed face with a wooden handheld fan. “I’ve been too busy chasing my children around the square to dance. Fortunately, the night is young.”
“Is it?” I asked, unable to mask my disappointment.
Bodil laughed. “A woman looking forward to the end of a party? What an atrocity! But with your profession, we can hardly blame you, can we? If I had to concern myself with Torvald’s safety all the time, I would hardly be in the mood for celebration either.”
“Oh, Bodil, do hush up before you insult the Lady Warrior. You’re drunk,” Helka said with a roll of her eyes.
Bodil hiccupped and placed a gloved hand over her mouth. “Do forgive me, Lady Isa. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were dull.”
I raised a hand to ward off further apology. “I’ve taken no offense, Lady Bodil. Please, don’t concern yourself with my feelings.”
Helka tssked. “You’re much too good to her. If someone had aimed a comment like that my way, I would have been quite put out, and I would’ve made them aware of it immediately.”
“It takes a little more than a thoughtless comment to insult me,” I said as I picked at my food.
“It is not so with General Halvar,” Helka said slyly. “It seems the two of you argue whenever you see each other. What is it about the general that you find so distasteful?”
“Oh, that man!” Bodil said, collapsing into a chair with a frown. “He’s rude and impossible to everyone he finds the least bit simple. If he wasn’t so valiant and necessary to Holger’s expansion, I would never speak a kind word to him.”
Helka snapped her fan shut. “He’s nothing but the perfect gentleman whenever we cross paths. He’s even complimented me on the beauty of my children.”