The trees were full and green and the sparrows that waited for their eggs to hatch swept down on intruders that came too close to their nests.Inside the great hall, Matti watched his lordship walk her way. She pretended not to notice his impatient scowl. “Good morning, my lord. I was hoping to have a word with you. Just a quick chat.”“What is it now, Matti?”“I was wondering if you could take Lady Amanda her tray.”Derek raised a brow. “I have no time for such nonsense. Acquire the help of one of the maids if you must. Where is her ladyship’s chambermaid?”“I know not, my lord. But if I am not too bold in asking, why did you bother wedding her ladyship yester eve if you cannot find time for her? And what, my lord, did you do to upset her?”“What are you babbling on about, Matti?”“When I took Lady Amanda some hot cider last night, she looked unusually pale and her eyes were swollen from crying.”“Bah,” he muttered. “The woman does not cry. And as for why I wed her…’twas a bad case of too much ale and bitter wine.
