"Father," the man's son said with a cough. "Don't go embarrassing the girl." He gave her a low bow. "I am Thad, dear lady, and it is my utmost pleasure to be meeting you."
With her heart racing terribly, she made no move to stop him from kissing the back of her hand. His eyes were so intense, more sure of themselves than Lucias'. And so green. Although no man had any business having lashes so light and fine. She curtseyed again, her face heating even further. "The pleasure is mine, my lord."
Hovering on the edge of her vision, she caught Lucias' frown. His hand squeezed hers, the pressure silently drawing her back to his side. Jealousy, raw and boyish, glimmered in the cracks of his usually calm facade. Could she use it in winning her freedom? Clara tucked the thought away.
Lucias' arm wrapped about her waist, pulling her closer still. "You seem to have brought quite a number of guards for a simple trip across peaceful land."
"He deemed it a necessity." Farris waved a hand at Thad as his son straightened. "Especially for the journey home." He shook his head, the wispy remains of his hair dancing in the breeze. "In all my years, we've never needed to bear arms near the heart of the kingdom."
Lucias released her as, with his boot heels grinding in the dirt, he twisted to face the fair-haired man. "What news could you have possibly heard that would move you to do such a thing?"
Thad's lips, generous in their width and thickness, twitched into a grim smile. "Your mother."
Lucias snorted. His arms folding, he drew himself up. He still couldn't attain the other man's height. "So, you let her pet break through then?"
"Break through? Our scouts report your parents never reached the border."
He jerked back as if the man had struck him. "She's in the kingdom? But my father... I could've sworn he died on the plains before Ne'ermore not—" He shook his head. "I thought, after so long, she would seek her home."
Clara smothered a gasp. Lenora was so close? No, she couldn't be. It had been a fortnight since Clara's kidnapping. There was still a few more weeks before the new moon.
No time. The woman would reach the Citadel well before Clara's time was up. What would it mean for her plans to escape? He will insist on an answer. And Lucias would no doubt inflict his own response on her when she refused.
Farris coughed. "What man could guess a woman's reasons?" The joviality fell from the old man's face. "I dare say returning to Ne'ermore now would leave the truth of your death shrouded in doubt for her, no matter what the barbarian swears. Clearly she seeks to ensure with her own eyes if not by her hand that the line ends with you." His gaze fell to Clara. "Is it wise to keep her here?"
Without turning, she could feel Lucias' eyes on her, considering his next move. She knew he wasn't going to sit back and wait for her to decide any longer. He would come to her bed and take what she didn't want to give.
Tears filled her eyes, dashing the world into shimmering blobs. She swallowed, sniffing back a sob. Ducking her head, she swiftly wiped her face dry. Whatever he decided, she would not make it easy for him.
"I think it would be difficult for her to serve her purpose elsewhere," Lucias said.
Farris eyed his lord before turning to stare at Clara. He rubbed his chin, those brown eyes seeming to delve deep and pluck free the answer he sought. "You harbour a wild flower within these walls and yet... You've not transplanted her into your own bed?"
Lucias chuckled and glanced over his shoulder at her. "There has been some resistance to that particular line of thought."
"Resistance? Bah!" He tossed aside his lord's excuse with a wave of the hand. "What sort of women are they raising in Everdark these days?"
She stared at the pair, unbelieving she'd heard them right. Lucias planned to rape her if she did not concede and here he was laughing about her attempts to be free of his attentions. And Farris laughs along with him. These were the people who ran the kingdom? An old lecher and a would-be rapist? She eyed Thad, half expecting him to change before her eyes. What sort of distasteful beast would he turn out to be?
"Come now, father," said Thad, a soft smile moulding his lips. "You're merely jealous you didn't hear about this, or her, earlier. If all Everdark women are so spirited, then perhaps Brenna will prove just as interesting for you."
Clara gritted her teeth, disappointed Thad had fallen in line behind the other two. But still, if the count wanted interesting, he should've tried courting Penny instead of the mayor's title-grubbing daughter. The short woman would've given him enough excitement to last the rest of his life. Although, Penny would also have shortened it considerably in the process.
The old man frowned at his son. "Brenna?"
"Your next wife-to-be, father. Her name is Brenna Goodheart."
"Of course. Of course. I remember now. Brenna." Farris' lips stretched into a smile. "Goddess willing, it shall prove to be an exciting marriage indeed. Brenna Goodheart." He clapped an arm around Lucias' shoulder and led the way up the stairs. "I do hope she's not too good, eh?"
Clara idly trailed behind them. Close enough to hear the pair without being too obvious in listening. Perhaps they would divulge some small piece of information she could utilise in her escape. Give her the edge she so desperately needed.
"Brenna's got a good temper, I know that much." Lucias shook his head. "You'll have your hands full with that one."
Laughing, Farris slapped the young lord on the back. "You wouldn't want them any other way, lad. Not for long. Keeps the blood pumping." His free hand waved in the air. "Why my dear Jen and I would argue all the time."
Clara frowned. She'd never heard her parents speak a harsh word to each other, never mind arguing. Yes, they'd have mild disagreements on some things, usually about whatever she'd done wrong, but never about themselves.
"Ah, Jen." Farris gave a lusty sigh. "Now there was a woman who knew how to get what she wanted. No other girl carries such a fire as she did."
"How many women has it been now since Countess Jennah's passing?" Lucias asked. "Six?"
The old count chuckled, broad shoulders bouncing. "Hardly, my boy, hardly. Brenna shall be my third wife."
And they all die as this man's wife. Clara bit her lip, sudden pity welling in her chest for the dark-haired woman the count would be marrying. How did two women die whilst in the care of the same man?
"She's the eighth, if you include the mistresses and don't count the brief flings," Thad murmured from his place beside Clara. Glancing her way, he gave her a knee-wobbling smile. "It is perhaps not my place to ask such things, but... dear lady, you appear somewhat troubled. Are you well?"
She had not inspected herself in a mirror since yesterday morning and now had a sudden urge to do so. Any reflective surface would do. It was an odd feeling. Foreign, for her appearance was not something she dwelled on. At least, not when it came to enhancing. Much of her time before a mirror was methodical and tended to aim towards dulling the extravagance of her hair. How ill did she look for him to comment?
Clara drew herself up and mustered a smile she didn't feel like giving. "Of course. I was just thinking." The count had gone on ahead, dragging Lucias with him. She and Thad were as alone as they could be without arousing suspicion. If there was ever a time to enquire about Lucias' past and Thad's loyalties, now seemed promising. "Lucias said he used to spend much of his time away from here at Endlight. Were you and he close?"
They climbed the first flight of stairs in silence. Then she noticed his shoulders shaking and those wide lips of his pursed with self-contained laughter.
"Do you find humour in my question, my lord?"
"Not at all, dear lady." He flashed her another grin. "I was just expecting to have at least been given the time to settle in the guest rooms before you began your interrogation."
With her cheeks burning, she turned her face from him. The echo of the count's laughter rang out from somewhere on the floor above. What did they speak of for Farris to find it so amusing?
"My lady," Thad said once the no
ise had died. "Do you so utterly distrust the words from his mouth that you must seek out proof?"
Clara halted at the top of the stairs. She had not expected for him to glean the reason behind her questioning so quickly. "Will you answer me or not?" she asked, each word clipped.
"We are like brothers, my lady. Like brothers." Thad sauntered down the hall a few steps ahead of her, the tap of his boots the only sound to be heard. "It is my turn to seek out answers, yes?" His gaze swept over her slowly and caused her to blush anew. "I believe I am entitled. I'm certainly interested to hear the reasons behind why he would pick someone like you."
She bridled at the remark. "And just what is wrong with someone like me?" Had he expected to find his lord's mistress used to be one of those women who took a man's coin and let him use their bodies? Lucias had already given his opinions on choosing someone of that particular background. She sorely wished he'd reconsider.
Thad held up a hand. The candlelight glittered off several fat rings and the idle realisation that Lucias did not adorn himself in such a fashion crept through her thoughts. He was plainly clothed for a man who ruled a kingdom. More soldier than king. "I meant no disrespect to your personage," Thad said. "It's just I would've thought he'd choose someone more mature... Somewhat closer to his age."
His age? Clara stiffened. She had no idea how old Lucias was. She'd been assuming, utterly hoping and fearing, there weren't many years difference between him and her. "And what, precisely, is his age?"
Thad's fair brows shot up. "He's twenty-six come the spring. He hasn't told you this?"
She shook her head. He tells me nothing. Only what she needed to know to serve his wish and several truths she knew were most likely revealed only in the hope it would drive her faster towards compliance.
Twenty-six. Come the spring. Although, he wasn't expecting to see out the autumn months let alone the winter. It didn't seem right for Lucias to be so young when the lines on his face belonged on a far older man.
"Well, I suppose it'd be difficult to find a woman your age who's not already promised to another man." His gaze ran over her again, this time with a more clinical eye. "You're what, twenty?"
"I'm seventeen." Was it possible Lucias also thought her to be older than she truly was? Could her path to freedom be as simple as informing him of the error? Doubtful. She knew Penny to be a few months younger than herself, Brenna was of a similar age, eighteen she believed, and Clara would wager the other two young women also were.
She bit her lip. If Lucias hadn't known beforehand, he would by now. And, just as clearly, did not care about the nine years between them. Why should he when Brenna was happy to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather?
"I see," Thad murmured. "About the same age as him, then."
Blinking, and not entirely sure she'd heard right, she frowned. "But you just said he was twenty-six."
He nodded. "I was referring to his time at a certain house whilst posted at Port Dank. You're like him as he was then." He leant close, his eyes bright and piercing. "He at least told you this?"
She recalled Lucias making some mention of brothels and the women who worked within along the way. It hadn't been a topic she'd wanted to hear then and it certainly wasn't something she wanted to be reminded of now. "He told me of certain houses." Stepping back, Clara resolutely crossed her arms. "It was quite enough for me, thank you."
A soft, warming chuckle escaped the wry quirk in his smile. "And from the sound of your displeasure, he made it seem like he was through those doors on a regular basis." Thad shook his head, brushing aside his fair curls as they fell across his face. "I assure you, my lady, he did not frequent them as often as you've been led to believe."
Knowing Lucias had stepped foot into one of those houses at least once was more than enough for her liking. "I did not misinterpret him then anymore than I did his earlier threat."
"He threatened you? This is still Lucias we're talking about?" The fine curves of his brows pulled down when she gave a curt nod. "What did you do?"
Her hand flattened against her chest. "Me?" Amazing how smoothly he had jumped to such an accusation. "What did I do?" They were indeed much like brothers, sticking together in the face of a common enemy. "Oh yes, so quick to put the blame on me." She was not the felon in this. "I did nothing." Her teeth ground together in her efforts to keep a civil tongue. "Including not falling into his bed in a timely manner."
His eyes narrowed. "He would not seek to push you on it."
She jerked away from him, glaring over her shoulder. "Then it would appear you do not know him as well as you thought."
He stared at her, those green eyes digging, searching for a hint of a lie. His mouth opened, a question forming on his lips.
"There you two are!" Lucias said.
Clara stiffened. The slow, steady pounding of his boots rumbled down the hall between them. How much of their conversation had he heard? What would he do to Thad if he began to perceive the man as a threat?
"I thought the pair of you had gotten lost." His arm snaked around her waist, clasping her to his side. Before she could realise what he was doing, she'd been gently coaxed into facing him. "Trying to lure her away, are we?" he asked Thad over her shoulder. There was sweetness in his voice, a hint of boyish teasing. But the cold, guarded glint in his eyes spoke differently. Lucias fully believed his old friend would attempt such a thing.
Perhaps she could prove him right.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Thad replied, "but it seemed Father was intent on bending your ear some more. How could I resist getting to know your mistress a little better?"
There it was. A flicker of distrust brushed Lucias' face. So faint and swift she would've missed it had she not been expecting it. Jealousy glowed sharp and cold in the heat of his eyes. She found it strangely sweet.
Logically, she knew the reasons behind his suspicion were little more than scraps of old brother-like resentment. Thad, with those gorgeous eyes and stunning smile, must have drawn quite a lot of womanly attention. No doubt it was a sore spot in their friendship.
Even so, applying such reasoning did little towards shaking the fuzzy warmth glowing in her chest. Lucias, who had kidnapped her and threatened to force her into accepting the mantle of mistress, believed her to be precious enough to be stolen from him.
She smirked. That she could use.
Chapter Fourteen
Clara walked the hall leading to her chambers. She was alone since Lucias had procured Tommy's services for some errand that, as far as she could determine, was on behalf of the Count. Her stomach, previously content with the satisfying weight of the evening meal, now rolled a little in response to her unease.
Having been settled in rooms somewhere on the floor below, the two men had dined with her and Lucias. Farris had spent much of the night talking to the young lords, his warm laughter booming across the room.
It was a welcome change from the quiet dinners she usually shared with Lucias, although she could've done without the old count's attempts at speaking with her. Most of his innuendos were so crude and obvious that they made her face heat just recalling them. She'd been grateful for the way Lucias quickly put a stop to it.
After she'd agreed to not flee, Lucias had tried to get her to talk more about herself, his polite inquiries centring mainly on her family and life in Everdark. Clara had no desire to be reminded of what she would never see again and chose to be deliberately unresponsive to each question.
He would then move on to talk of the places he'd been. Not in the bragging manner she commonly heard from the worldlier folk on the streets, but in a soft and casual tone as if trying to pique her interest. Although a number of cities sounded intriguing—like the large merchant piers that made up Port Dank—she'd resisted the urge to ask questions.
He'd eventually stopped talking at all during their meals.
Now, remembering how animated his face had been as he conversed with the two men, she felt an odd pang of regret. Per
haps, if she'd allowed him into her life a little bit, she could've convinced him to let her go before these men, and their news, had arrived. Not much hope of it now. Not with Lenora practically at the gates.
The need to escape grew at the thought. But could she make it possible anymore? She'd been unable to find a way out in the last two weeks. How was she going to discover a means of escape now? Surely he'd have her brought to him soon.
Her foot touched the first step leading up to her chambers. Perhaps, now his time was shortened, he was already up there, waiting for her to innocently walk into the room. And then...
She shuddered, flinching from the mere thought of what he would soon do. Was she safe whilst the count and his son were here? Surely Lucias would not attempt to impose his desire on her with free men wandering his halls. As if they would hear me scream.
Even if they did, she doubted they'd come to her aid. Both men must be aware of what the Great Lord was capable of doing to them. Yet, there'd been no hint of fear in their greeting. Perhaps they'd forgotten Lucias was now the one capable of taking their souls.
Or did they have a countermeasure? Her history of the kingdom was not as advanced as it would've been had she a noblewoman's teachings, but she recalled not all the lords of old had gone against the first Great Lord. Perhaps there was some sort of ancient agreement with the nobles who now guarded the borders.
She frowned, recalling the tales Lucias had told of his ancestors. Could the crazed rulers of old be trusted to abide by their own laws?
"My lady!"
Thad? She spun at the call to find him marching up the corridor towards her, his face set in a purposeful glower.
"A word, if I may?"
Clara nodded for him to continue. What matter was of such import it would have him seek her out?
He clasped her by the elbow and gently led her a few paces from the stairs before speaking. "I saw you flinch when he touched you earlier today. And you watch him as if you're expecting Lucias to change into some beast before your eyes." He bent his head close as they continued walking, his warm breath dancing against her ear. "This threat he has made to you. What is it?"
Dark One's Mistress (Dark One Trilogy Book 1) Page 12
