Dinner was served and as would be expected no expense was spared on the ingredients. Jasper ate silently and listened in on the conversations around her. Perhaps she might glean some military intelligence which she might be able to pass on to Royalist sympathisers.
However there was no talk of the ongoing war. Instead Richard and the new Duke began to speak about the wine. "This is a fine drop" observed the Duke. "But not as nice as a cask I came across, purey by accident. It was the night after the capitol fell. We were doing a roadblock and we pulled over a wagon searching for escaped royals"
"I agree. The food is delicious but the wine is not as nice as some. Where did this stuff come from?"
"The old Duke's cellar. I believe it is all from one of his own estates. Mine now I suppose. I think I will have to get a new winemaker"
"It is a bit crude"
'Getting back to my story. The wagoner turned out to be a wine merchant from this town. He donated a cask to the cause in exchange for safe passage. In hindsight I should have charged him two casks! I'll have to chase him up. There can't be too many wine merchants in this town. Damned if I can remember his name though"
"Jasmine used to work for a wine merchant. Simon Muscat is his name. His wines have a very good reputation. Could he be the man you speak of?"
'Why I do believe you are correct! Simon Muscat of Vingery. It's all so clear now. I remember it well. He had a beautiful woman with him. A wet nurse. I had a hard time keeping the troops away from her"
Jasper gave an involuntary gasp. Richard and the Duke turned to the woman they knew as Jasmine.
The Duke's eyes locked onto Jasper's. "That's where we met before! You were the woman on the wagon! I told you I never forget a face!"
"Ah. Yes.... I didn't recognise you your Excellency"
"I would have been wearing my helmet. You would not have seen my face. But I recall you had the most wonderful red hair. My soldiers thought you might have been a princess in disguise. Why is your hair now dark?"
"I .... Um..... I dyed my hair. Master Simon told me to, so I wouldn't attract undue attention" Jasper tried to sound contrite.
Richard looked at Jasper with his mouth agape "You have red hair!"
"I did Sir Richard. I did not mean to decieve you. In times of war having red hair is not a blessing"
"Why this is wonderful!" said Richard. "The Lady Jasmine will immediately be seen as noble by the servants on our estate. And I feared that our reception might be subdued"
"Not so fast!" interrupted Lady Sascheme. "I am suspicious of all who would disguise themselves. What else are you hiding Lady Jasmine?"
"My Lady, I will not have you insult my fiance. Didn't she save us all from an assassin only this afternoon? Has not she proven her loyalty to the cause?"
"Mind your place soldier. Do you not know who you are speaking to? Come here Lady Jasmine. I will screen you for other charms. What else are you hiding?"
The room had gone deathly quiet. All heads were turned towards Jasper and Lady Sascheme. No-one wanted to be the source of the witches ire.
Armed guards had moved to stand behind Jasper. There was no escape. She pushed back her chair and stood up. Sir Richard stood up as well and glared at the two guards. "Come sweet Jasmine. We will prove your innocence" said Sir Richard taking Jasper's arm. He walked Jasper around to Lady Sascheme's side of the table. Jasper found herself sweating. Would she be discovered? She could only hope that the silver locket hid the magic of the amulet. Or should she release the locket and let the amulet have its effect on Lady Sascheme. Surely she was now under threat?