Alix stood behind my chair. When no one else was looking, she leaned down and kissed me. The food was good and the company merry. I swung my legs beneath the table; they did not reach the ground. I watched my father where he sat with Madeline, his hand in hers. Madeline laughed as she leaned close to Papa. I ate a bite of venison, fighting to keep my face free of emotion. I saw the look in Alix’s eyes, and knew that I failed. I lowered my head so that no one else would see my weakness, so that I would not give my father away. Madeline called a greeting, and waved to me. I rose when my father bade me, and came to the center of the dais. I curtsied to her, as if it were any other day. “Well met, Alienor. How lovely you look tonight.” Her voice was honey sweet, as smooth as it ever was. I looked into her eyes and could see no sign of deceit, no sign of guile. Had I not witnessed her duplicity myself, I would never have believed it. I felt my father’s attention heavy on me, though he seemed to look down the table to one of his high-ranking barons.
