Chapter 15 Summary, Themes, and Key Moments

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens at breakfast, where the king announces a hunt intended to entertain the visiting Duke of Lancaster and his three daughters. Gwen immediately recognizes the event as a political exercise rather than the family bonding her father pretends it to be. She sits opposite Gabriel, and the chasm between them remains enormous; they have not spoken in days, and Gwen misses their old rituals—her father pushing bowls of sour fruits toward her, Gabriel making sense of ledgers, her mother replaiting her hair. The queen mentions that Lady Leclair will attend, and Gwen's question about her causes Gabriel's hand to slip from his book.

The king reads a letter reporting that his cousin has been sighted near Skipton Castle. He exchanges a look with Gabriel, and they discuss Lord Stafford's suspicions about northern unrest and Lord Willard's possible involvement. The king dismisses the idea that Willard is up to anything, but Stafford's obsession with the north worries him. Gabriel reluctantly agrees to meet with Stafford before the hunt.

Gwen is sent to see Rowan, the head falconer, about her merlin Beowulf, which has become feral. Rowan bluntly tells her that the bird doesn't like her because she never visits. Gwen nervously extends a hand, but Rowan advises her to keep her fingers away. She admits she has no affinity for animals, unlike Gabriel, and her interest in falconry ended when she discovered the training required.

In the courtyard, the visiting nobles gather. Gwen hides in the shadow of a wall to avoid dull conversation. She spots the Duke of Lancaster and his three dark-haired daughters in red and pink, and glances at Gabriel, who is talking to his peregrine falcon Edith at the other end of the yard. Adah, Bridget's friend from the Morgan's Day party, approaches Gwen and recognizes her, teasing her about her poor disguise as Winifred. Adah offers to fetch Beowulf, noting that the bird hates everyone equally.

Bridget arrives, looking uncomfortable in a simple dark green dress, with her hair braided. She asks if Gwen is sore from their training session, and Gwen lies that she is only a little sore, though she has treasured the aches as souvenirs of Bridget's touch. Bridget stretches Gwen's hand, and Gwen hisses in pain but claims it feels good. Bridget mentions she was told knights could acquire a bird, and she has cornered them on a technicality. Gwen offers to let Bridget fly Beowulf, saying the bird hates her.

Adah returns with Beowulf on her arm and gives Gwen a warm but firm scolding about the bird's needs. The hunting party moves toward the woods, led by hounds and the king's gyrfalcon. Gwen and Bridget walk together, observing the large tournament crowds. Bridget looks pinched, as if in pain, and Gwen wonders if it's the dress or poor sleep. Adah suggests the crowds have come to see the first woman to win the tournament, and Bridget smiles.

In the deeper woods, Adah tries to convince Gwen to fly Beowulf herself, but the queen appears and pulls Gwen away to meet the Duke's daughters. Gwen grimaces at Bridget, who remains politely blank. The queen introduces Gwen to Celestina, Clement, and Sigrid. They curtsy and exchange awkward pleasantries. Sigrid admits she doesn't like hunting, and Clement says she likes rabbits but can't stand when the birds catch them. They ask about Gabriel, and Gwen mentions his love for Edith, the falcon. As they watch Edith tear into a dead mouse, Gwen rolls her eyes, thinking the girls would need wings and talons to gain Gabriel's attention.

Suddenly, Clement notices that Bridget looks unwell. Gwen turns, sees Bridget in distress, and rushes to her side without a backward glance.

Key Events

The king announces a hunt to entertain the Duke of Lancaster and his daughters, framing it as family bonding.
Gwen and Gabriel remain estranged; the queen mentions Lady Leclair will attend, causing tension.
The king reads a letter about his cousin sighted near Skipton Castle, raising concerns about Lord Stafford and Lord Willard.
Gwen visits Rowan about her feral merlin Beowulf and learns the bird dislikes her because she never visits.
In the courtyard, Adah recognizes Gwen from the Morgan's Day party and teases her about her disguise.
Bridget arrives, stretches Gwen's hand, and they share a moment of physical intimacy.
The queen pulls Gwen away to meet the Duke's daughters, Celestina, Clement, and Sigrid.
Clement notices Bridget looking unwell, and Gwen rushes to her side, abandoning the conversation.

Character Development

Gwen: This chapter deepens her internal conflict. She is torn between her duty to her family and her personal desires. Her estrangement from Gabriel weighs heavily on her, and she misses their old closeness. Her feelings for Bridget are evident in the way she treasures the aches from their training session and lies about the pain during the stretch. She also shows her discomfort with social expectations, hiding from conversation and feeling out of place among the Duke's daughters. Her lack of affinity with animals contrasts with Gabriel's natural connection, highlighting her sense of being an outsider in her own court.
Gabriel: Though he appears briefly, his silence and avoidance of Gwen show his own struggle. He is drawn into the political conversation about the north, and his reaction to Lady Leclair's name suggests unresolved feelings. His bond with Edith the falcon mirrors his emotional distance from people.
Bridget: She appears uncomfortable in a dress, and her physical pain hints at her discomfort with gender performance. She is kind to Gwen, offering to stretch her hand and asking about her soreness. Her reaction to the tournament crowds and her smile at Adah's comment about being the first woman to win suggest her pride in her achievements, but also her isolation.
Adah: She serves as a warm, pragmatic presence, teasing Gwen about her disguise and offering practical advice about Beowulf. She is perceptive, noticing Bridget's discomfort and supporting her.
The Queen: She is focused on matchmaking and political alliances, pulling Gwen away to meet the Duke's daughters. Her smile that doesn't reach her eyes shows her prioritization of duty over warmth.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Hunting as political theater: The hunt is not for pleasure but to entertain an influential duke and facilitate alliances. The king's framing of it as family bonding is a facade.
Falconry as metaphor for trust: Beowulf's feral state symbolizes Gwen's neglect of her responsibilities and her emotional distance from others. Rowan's advice that birds need to get to know you mirrors the need for effort in relationships.
Sibling estrangement: The chasm between Gwen and Gabriel is a central emotional thread. Their inability to communicate is highlighted by their physical distance during the hunt.
Gender performance: Bridget's discomfort in a dress and her technicality to acquire a bird challenge traditional gender roles. Gwen's own discomfort with social expectations also reflects this theme.
Identity deception: Adah's recognition of Gwen's disguise as Winifred reminds us of the ongoing deception and the fragility of Gwen's secret.
Political unrest: The letter about the cousin near Skipton Castle and Lord Stafford's suspicions introduce a subplot of northern rebellion and potential betrayal.
Matchmaking pressure: The queen's efforts to pair Gabriel with the Duke's daughters, and the presence of Lady Leclair, underscore the pressure on the royal siblings to marry for political gain.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter advances both the political and romantic plotlines. It introduces the Duke of Lancaster and his daughters, setting up potential marriage alliances for Gabriel, while also deepening the mystery of the northern unrest through the letter about Skipton Castle. The estrangement between Gwen and Gabriel is given more weight, showing how their relationship has deteriorated and how it affects Gwen's emotional state. The chapter also strengthens the romantic tension between Gwen and Bridget, particularly through the hand-stretching scene and Gwen's rush to Bridget's side at the end. Additionally, the falconry scenes use Beowulf as a symbol of Gwen's neglect and her need to invest in relationships, both with people and with her own responsibilities. The chapter sets the stage for future conflicts, both political and personal.

Study Questions

How does the hunt function as both a family event and a political exercise, and what does Gwen's perception of it reveal about her character?

Answer: The king frames the hunt as an opportunity for family bonding, but Gwen recognizes it as a political exercise to entertain the Duke of Lancaster and facilitate alliances. Her perception shows her disillusionment with court life and her awareness of the performative nature of royal duties. She feels disconnected from her family, especially Gabriel, and the hunt only highlights her isolation. 2. What does the interaction between Gwen and Bridget reveal about their relationship, and how does Gwen's physical response to Bridget's touch reflect her feelings?

Answer: The interaction shows a growing intimacy between them. Bridget's offer to stretch Gwen's hand is a gentle, caring gesture, and Gwen's lie that it feels good—while actually painful—reveals her desire to please Bridget and her willingness to endure discomfort for her. Gwen's internal monologue about treasuring the aches from their training session as souvenirs demonstrates her deep infatuation. 3. How does the falconry subplot, particularly Beowulf's feral state, symbolize Gwen's emotional state and her relationships?

Answer: Beowulf's feral behavior is a direct result of Gwen's neglect—she hasn't visited him in six months. This mirrors her neglect of her relationship with Gabriel and her avoidance of emotional intimacy. Rowan's advice that birds need to get to know you parallels the effort required to maintain relationships. Gwen's lack of affinity with animals contrasts with Gabriel's bond with Edith, highlighting her sense of being out of place and her struggle to connect.

Navigation

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Book Hub