It was roughly lunchtime when Lord Byrne arrived at the estate on his steed, a spirited young stallion named Endless, that they hoped to breed in the future to one of the Kasper's purebred mares. Silke knew immediately he had brought Endless specifically to help coax her into squeezing a meeting into her busy schedule. All the nobility knew how challenging it could be to make an appointment with her, not because she was unkind or unaccommodating, but because she over-committed herself. If it was a trick it was a successful one because she had gone outside to meet him, walking towards the stables. Little did the gentleman know what a fortunate coincidence it was since she was heading in that direction anyway to prepare for the afternoon ride.

On the way to the stables they casually chatted, the small talk that was always a prelude to a more serious topic. Silke quite liked Lord Byrne. He was a tall, handsome man, intelligent, articulate, a little more than ten years her senior, and thankfully not at all interested in women. Officially he was married, but his bride had just as little interest in men as he did in women, and so they had a quiet arrangement where neither expected any sort of romance. The person who had helped facilitate such an unusual match was none other than Lady Kasper herself.

Most importantly, Lord Byrne was fiercely loyal to Silke as a friend, even if they were not especially close. He respected her, he sympathized with her suspected lack of interest in marriage (though he didn't know the nature of her aversion), and he felt indebted to her for keeping his secret without his needing to ask her to do so. They were kindred spirits of a sort- movers and shakers in the court that didn't necessarily conform to its unspoken rules.

"I've come to tell you of a rumor I've heard," he admitted softly. "You're aware of the tension we have with our northern neighbors?" Lord Byrne paused in the grass near the stables, allowing Endless to graze as they spoke.

"Yes, of course. Are you all right?" Silke asked, furrowing her brows in concern. "You look flushed. Should I have someone fetch you some water at least?"

Lord Byrne waved off her question. "No, that's not necessary. Let me first tell you what brought me here. There's been increased discussion that there should be a marriage between the northern kingdom and our own to help improve relations. Since they have no royalty they either can offer or are willing to offer, there is an archduke that is yet unwed whose name has been floated as a candidate on their side."

Silke frowned. If Lord Byrne was here discussing this matter with her with such a sense of urgency, she had a sense she knew where this was going. The king wouldn't offer up any of his own relatives in exchange for anything other than a prince. Since an archduke's hand was what was being offered, that meant his eyes would be turned towards the nobility, of which she was a member. In fact, she was the most famously single female member of the aristocracy.

"You should prepare yourself. The rumor is that the North is interested in the 'sparkling jewel' of our kingdom's court, especially since they know you are unmatched. Silke..." he paused. It wasn't entirely proper to address her by her first name, but he stepped forward anyway, taking her hands in his own as he stared down into her face. He was worried. "Our noblemen aren't all opposed. Some argue we couldn't lose you, but others believe you should do what is best for the kingdom."

"I can't possibly!" Silke said, outraged at the idea of being traded to the northern kingdom as if she were a commodity, a prize, a reward for them not being quite so hostile. "Even if I were willing, we both know if I'm that far away my father and brother wouldn't be able to handle all the responsibilities I've taken on their behalf."

He paused. Lord Byrne squeezed her hand, preparing her for the worst case scenario, something that had not yet occurred to her because her head was spinning. "You should come up with a plan and quickly. If enough voices clamor for it, someone of higher station, even the king himself, could order you to accept the proposal. There's not much I can do for you except warn you of the whispers. Were I not already [i]blissfully[/i] married," he remarked dryly, releasing her hand and stepping back, "you know I would take you for my own beloved and let you have the run of the house. The gods know you could run it twice as well as I do."

"Yes, well, that is true," Silke replied with a smirk. "I'm about to go on a ride," she said, noticing for the first time that Galt was nearby. She wasn't certain how long he had been there or how much he had heard. "Would you care to stay for dinner? You can explain to Vincent why he needs to attend all the events I just accepted for him this morning."

Despite himself, Lord Byrne grinned, amused at the idea of trying to persuade Vincent that any level of socialization was a worthy endeavor. There were wild hogs that were more friendly. "Yes, of course. I'll make myself scare. Three's a crowd after all. I'll make my introductions to the count after your ride," he offered, handing Endless off to a stable boy, bowing to Silke and Galt, and striding towards the house. The Kaspers were well-known for their generous meal sizes and cook who believed everything was better with butter.