Read Online The Truth-Teller's Tale by Sharon Shinn - Free Book Online

more than I can say about you, with the way you yell at everyone for no reason at all! I’m not—I wouldn’t—I’m horrified that you would say such things about me! That you would even think—” And here her voice trembled a little and she pulled out a handkerchief to cover her face.
    â€œAre you telling me—do you mean—but you’re off with the grooms every day! And that boy out front—yes, that one outside right now, holding your horse!—every time I go looking for you and you’re gone, he’s gone as well!”
    She lifted her tear-streaked face from her handkerchief. “You told me,” she said with great dignity. “You made me promise I would not go off riding alone. I thought you wanted me to bring someone with me when I came into town. All the other grooms are too busy to dance attendance on some young girl, but Roger has always been kind enough to come with me when—”
    â€œHa! Roger! You call him by his name?”
    â€œI call all of them by their names,” she said coldly. “Marcus and Hal and Jim and Roddie. Do you know any of their names? Do you ever speak to them at all—except to shout at them when they haven’t saddled your horse quickly enough?”
    Karro’s dark face flushed darker, but he seemed to be losing some of the hot edge of his temper. He wanted to believe her, that was certain. He didn’t want to think his only daughter, his jewel, his Roelynn, had been sullying herself with inferior men in the stalls in the back of the barn. “Are you telling me the truth?” he demanded, staring down at her composed face. “Or are you just saying what you think I want to hear?”
    Roelynn pointed, and Karro’s eyes lifted in the direction she indicated. “Ask Eleda,” she said. “She’ll tell you the truth.”
    I had to stuff my fingers in my mouth to keep from crying out. Adele stepped forward tranquilly and gave Karro a little curtsy. Lissette and the two other customers in the store did not move or say a word.
    â€œGood afternoon, sir,” Adele said in a soft, demure voice. “What did you want to ask me?”
    â€œAre you the Truth-Teller?” he barked. “Or are you that other one?”
    â€œI’m the Truth-Teller,” Adele said.
    â€œThen is my daughter telling me the truth? Has she been spending time with this—this groom when my back is turned? Or is she merely behaving as any good gentle-woman should and making sure she is accompanied any time she rides out?”
    Adele managed to make her voice sound both scandalized and respectful. “Spending time with a groom, sir? Roelynn? Oh, no. Absolutely not. Roelynn has never done anything improper, with a groom or with anybody.”
    â€œHmph. Well. All right. If you say so,” Karro said, appeased and mollified. He patted Roelynn awkwardly on the back and spoke in a gruff voice. “I’m sorry I accused you, then. But you’re such a tricky thing. No one can keep track of you.”
    â€œI don’t try to be difficult, Father,” Roelynn said, sounding wounded.
    â€œNo. I’m sure you don’t. It’s just that you—but there. We’ve said enough about this. What do you say to a little treat, hey? Do you see some pretty ribbons you like? A yard of lace, maybe? You pick out something you want, and I’ll buy it for you. Don’t be angry with your old bear of a father. I just want what’s best for you.”
    â€œI know you do, Father,” she said in a quiet voice. “And you don’t have to buy me presents.”
    â€œOf course I do! My only daughter! I’ll buy you everything in the whole shop if you want it.”
    â€œWell, then—” she said and looked around. “There was this beautiful flowered silk. I saw it when I came in—”
    Karro wasn’t much interested in shopping, it turned out. He