Chapter 7 - Suspicion

Disclaimer - None of the characters, etc. belong to me. They are all Tammy's.

Joren was preoccupied as he went to his tent. His mind replayed the scene by the lake again and again. While he had known it was a possibility and had thought about it and planned for it, he had never expected it to happen and he was nowhere near as calm about it as he had acted when Kel told him. A wave of anger washed over him as a thought came into his mind. Kel had avoided him. Had she planned on not telling him? Or leave him to somehow find out on his own? A calm voice reminded him, but she did tell you. She was probably afraid of how you would react.

Joren glowered as his anger washed away. He knew this was true, but when did his mind take her side? Sharpening his belt knife, he reflected on his decision to marry Kel. Firstly, he had to think of himself. Marrying Kel would mean being stuck with the Lump for the rest of his life. However there would be a lot less of a scandal for him to do that than to have the possibly future Lady Knight having his bastard child. However, he reasoned that knight training was over for the Lump. For that he was glad – it would prove that women were not meant to be knights and only whores would try. But that was unfair, his mind reasoned. She was a virgin until you took advantage of her and through your irresponsibility she became pregnant. Joren frowned at this second self-betrayal. Running his fingers through his hair, he left his tent for dinner. At least tormenting Kel would be fun.

Kel sighed as she left her tent. Now Joren knew. After getting her food, she sat between Neal and Owen. She was arguing with Neal over the necessity of eating peas when a voice broke through. "May I sit here?" Joren eyed Kel questioningly. Wordlessly, Kel shifted to make room for him. "Thank you." Joren was being overly polite. She could see Neal's frown as he eyed Joren suspiciously. Kel looked at Joren reproachfully. Ignoring her, Joren began to eat. Following his lead, Kel shifted closer to Joren and resumed her discussion with Neal. Joren merely sat there, eating and smirking at Neal.

Unfortunately for Joren, Neal noticed his behaviour and exacted his revenge. "Joren hasn't touched his peas."

"So?" Joren obviously hadn't been listening to the conversation.

"Eat your vegetables Joren. They're good for you." Kel said, smiling at him, but there was warning in her eyes.

"You sound like my old nursemaid," Joren scowled, "and they taste horrible."

"Fine." Kel turned to Neal. She didn't particularly care if Joren ate his vegetables or not.

"If he doesn't have to eat it, neither do I," Neal put in quickly. Kel sighed. Trust Neal to be difficult.

"If it means Queenscove will do it, I'll eat the peas." Kel turned to Joren, who smirked and put his arm around her shoulders. "Anything for my lady." After finishing the meal, he whispered in her ear. "Come to my tent tonight. We have a few things to discuss." Before she could reply, Joren stood and went back to his tent.

"What was that about?" asked Seaver.

"He was just being friendly," replied Kel.

"No, there was more to it," Neal said, suspicious.

"Joren's never nice," chimed in Owen.

"Especially not to you Kel," added Merric.

"Well maybe he has changed," Kel said defensively.

"And the Black God wears white," retorted Neal. "Maybe I should have a look at you. You must be ill if you're defending Joren."

"No, I'm fine," Kel said quickly. Neal had noticed her morning sickness and kept insisting on checking she was alright. She finally told Neal that his father had said she was fine so that he would stop pestering her about it. Kel didn't want to be found out like that.

"You seem to be acting strangely Kel. And you've thrown up most of this trip. Maybe Father missed something or something has happened since then." The others nodded in agreement with Neal.

"If you want, I'll go see Duke Baird this evening, if you promise to leave me be."

"Fine. And tell Father I want him to tell me what's wrong with you."

Kel's heart sank. She doubted Duke Baird would lie to his son on her account. "Fine." She stood and left her friends to find Duke Baird.

'Your Grace.' Kel bowed. 'May I speak with you for a moment?'

"Of course, Kel," Duke Baird replied kindly. "What's wrong?"

"Neal's noticed my throwing up and, er, slight changes in behaviour. He is certain I'm terribly ill and…"

Duke Baird cut her off. "Of course, I would think it's hard to miss, but can I ask what you mean by changes in behaviour?"

"Well I told the father and he suggested we get married. And that we pretend we're falling in love."

Neal's father nodded. "That doesn't seem so strange. Of course, you don't have to marry if you don't wish to." Kel nodded. "May I ask who the father is?"

It was all Kel could do to keep from cringing. "Joren of Stone Mountain."

"Who?"

"Joren of Stone Mountain. He's Lord Paxton's – "

"Yes I know who he is, but I thought that the two of you hated each other?"

"We do, I mean, did. It was an accident and…" Kel was cut off again.

"So this is why Neal's suspicious," Duke Baird stated.

"Yes."

"Is there anything in particular you want me to tell him?"

Kel could have kissed him. "No, Your Grace. Just tell him I'm well and to leave me be."

Duke Baird laughed. "Very well." He sobered. "You will tell Neal later, though?"

"Yes, after I get to Corus."

"Good. Now you should go rest. I'll handle my pestering son."

"Thank you, Your Grace. For everything." Kel bowed and left before the duke could reply. But what to do with Joren…she shook her head. She had no idea what to do about him.

A/N - Thank you to everyone who reviewed. Special thanks to Rosie eisoR and Tuathail for betaing for me. I'm still looking for a beta, so tell me if you're interested in your review or email me. Please review, I do like to know what you think.