“Yes.” Adelaide’s face clouded.
Idiot, she thinks you’re judging her. He rushed on. “I visited Khastalland once. I loved it. So vibrant. Hot as—” He coughed, narrowly saving himself from slipping into the vulgarity he had picked up as a mercenary. “Very hot. Even the food.”
“Oh, I love Khastallander spices,” Adelaide exclaimed. “My mother brought a cook with her. She does what she can with what she can get here, but I love when she makes Khastalland recipes. My favorite is this flaky dessert pastry with chocolate that’s a little bit spicy, they call it—”
“Nalotavi,” Regulus said at the same time as Adelaide. They laughed.
“You know it?”
“Know it, it’s my favorite!” He grinned. “Sarah—that is, the wife of one of my knights—she’s a baker, and she makes excellent nalotavi for someone who has never been to Khastalland.”
“Hmm, I may have to borrow this Sarah’s services. I’d love to surprise Minerva. I’m certain she hasn’t had nalotavi since she moved here.”
“I’ll have to send you some.” Was that too forward? He shifted uncomfortably as the conversation stalled. It was too forward. Pull it together, Regulus!
“Is Sarah married to the knight who came with you? Sir—what was his name again? Sorry, I met so many people tonight.”
“Dresden Jakobs.” He chuckled. “And no, Dresden’s unmarried.”
Adelaide nodded. “Did you knight him?”
“Yes?” He hadn’t meant it to sound like a question, but he didn’t understand why she was asking.
“How long has his family been in Monparth? He’s not Monparthian by blood, is he?”
Wait, what? “No, he’s Carasian.” Why the sudden interest in Dresden’s family history? “Just his parents. Moved here from Carasom before he was born.”
“Nobles?”
“No...” Suddenly, he understood. She found Dresden attractive. Girls always found Dresden attractive. He was probably right about the beard. Regulus had to fight the impulse to touch his scar. Worse, she wanted to know if Dresden was suitable marriage material. I guess I misjudged her. Lineage matters to her.
Adelaide tilted her head to the side. “And the one who married the baker. Noble?”
His mood soured. Oh. “Most of my knights were not noble-born, Lady Belanger.”
Regulus braced himself for the inevitable look of distaste, the questions about why or casual judgment. He should just admit his bastardy and mercenary past now. Maybe she would walk away, and he wouldn’t have to see her lovely face twist into disgust.
“So it’s not empty talk.” She beamed, sounding delighted. “You don’t just say things, you do them.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, off kilter and unsure what to make of the direction of this conversation. “I’m not sure—”
“People matter more than lineages.” Adelaide nodded, like a judge making a ruling. “You believe that.”
“Of course I do.” He dropped his hand to his side, relief and surprise flooding him. “I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Her eyes glinted, teasing and slightly dangerous. “And what do you think of me, Lord Hargreaves?” Her bronze skin took on extra color as she blushed.
“Ah...” His throat seemed to close up and heat flared over his face. I think I’d like to get to know you better. He wished he had a glass of water. What? his mind screamed. Get to know her better? His heart screamed back, yes, silencing thoughts of the sorcerer. What was the question again? What he thought of her? How was a gentleman supposed to answer a question like that?
Before he could answer, a man with perfectly combed dark blond hair stepped partly between them. Baron Carrick’s youngest, Nolan Carrick, again.
“Begging your pardon, my lady,” Carrick said, his back to Regulus. “I must congratulate you. I have never heard anything so beautiful in my life.”
Adelaide raised an eyebrow and glanced at Regulus. Regulus stifled a snicker, despite his irritation at the interruption.
“Please,” Carrick offered her his arm. “My parents would love to speak with you.”
“Oh.” Adelaide nodded, but didn’t take his arm. “I was in the middle of a conversation with Lord Hargreaves, but I will be sure to speak with them after.”
Regulus suppressed a grin. She would rather talk to him than a baronial family? Maybe she didn’t realize Carrick was a wealthy bachelor. Or maybe—and his heart leapt at the thought—she just didn’t care.
“I’m sure Hargreaves can wait, and I did tell my parents I’d bring you over.” Carrick moved his arm, inviting her to take it. “Barons do hate to be kept waiting.”
Adelaide glanced at Regulus apologetically, but took Carrick’s arm. “Of course.”
Regulus’ spirits fell as they walked away. He turned and scanned the crowd for Dresden. He spotted him talking to a young noblewoman standing against a wall. Drez leaned toward her with a teasing smile as he spoke, and the girl blushed and laughed and rolled her eyes. Regulus shook his head. Did all his knights have to be ladies’ men, while he couldn’t manage one full conversation without a blunder? He spotted Adelaide conversing with the baron and baroness. Carrick stepped closer and placed his hand on Adelaide’s lower back, and she didn’t move away.
Who am I joking? If Dresden saw him, he would doubtless point out he was frowning again. She’s perfect, and I’m... He swallowed down his self-loathing. No woman would want me over a Carrick. And they’d be right, too. He hated he’d let Dresden’s nonsense get into his head. To think he could be just a man who liked a girl, not a scarred slave who shouldn’t even be here. Stupidity. The worst kind, too. Felt amazing in the moment, but left you aching.
Dresden now leaned against the wall next to the young lady and had a strand of her hair curled around his finger. With a sigh, Regulus made his way to the door. He wouldn’t pull Drez away when he was enjoying himself. He retrieved his cloak from the page at the front entrance, and headed home.
Chapter 6
AS SIR NOLAN CARRICK led her toward his parents, Adelaide glanced back over her shoulder. Lord Hargreaves was already looking away. I thought our conversation was engaging. Perhaps I was wrong. She looked forward again. Maybe I don’t want to know what he would have said. She didn’t know why she’d asked. He’d handed her an opportunity to ask someone’s honest opinion. The way he’d turned red and looked like a cornered rabbit left only two choices. In the moment, she had thought he intended to say something complimentary and was embarrassed. But maybe he was trying to figure out how to avoid telling her a harsher truth.
Sir Nolan leaned toward her, his voice low. “I apologize if that came across as rude, but the code of chivalry leaves me honor-bound not to leave a maiden in distress.”
“Distress?” Adelaide frowned and shifted her hand on his arm so they weren’t walking so close. “I wasn’t in distress.”
“Oh?” Nolan raised his brows. “I couldn’t imagine you were talking to that bastard mercenary willingly.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “I beg your pardon?”
“I mean, sure, he’s not a mercenary anymore.” He shrugged. “Supposedly.”
She didn’t try to mask her shock and disgust. “That is hardly a civilized way to discuss a nobleman.”
“You clearly haven’t heard about Hargreaves.” He smiled slyly. “I’ll tell you the abridged version—he’s not to be trusted. Ah, here we are.” He leaned close and whispered, “They didn’t actually ask to speak to you, but it was the best excuse I could think of.”
Adelaide swallowed back her disdain and plastered on a smile as they stopped in front of the baron and baroness. She used the opportunity to curtsy as a pretense to release Nolan’s arm.
“A splendid recitation, my dear.” The baroness smiled. A few short, wispy white-gray strands of hair peeked out from her wimple. How old fashioned. She was short and had a full face etched with smile lines.
“Thank you, my lady.” Back to boring niceties.
“Indeed,” Baron Carrick raised his glass of wine toward her, as if offering a toast.
“Tell me,” the baroness said, “what are your interests? Hobbies?”
“Oh.” Adelaide moved the scarf to her neck. “Calligraphy, sewing. I love reading.” Probably best not to mention the ancient dagger technique of Khastalland. Obviously can’t mention the magic.
“Do you enjoy dancing?” Nolan inquired.
“Of course.”
“Brilliant.” Nolan stepped closer to her and placed his hand on her lower back.
A knot formed in Adelaide’s throat and her whole body tensed. But stepping away would appear insulting.
“I was thinking, Father, that it has been far too long since a proper dance has been held in Etchy Barony.” Nolan’s tone was too sweet, taking on a pleading, manipulative edge. He smiled at Adelaide. “You would join us, wouldn’t you?”
She mustered her politest tone. “Certainly, Sir Carrick.”
“Please.” Nolan rubbed his thumb against her back, and she straightened uncomfortably. “I do hope you will call me Nolan.”
“Oh, we hardly know each other, Sir Carrick.” She looked to his parents. “That hardly seems appropriate at this time.”
The baron chuckled. “You could learn something from her, Nolan.”
“Well, I’ll certainly do my best to remedy that and get to know you as soon as possible, Lady Belanger.” Nolan smiled coyly and moved his hand to her hip. Heat rushed to her face. Worse, heat was building in the palm of her right hand. She clenched her fists. Control it.
Adelaide cleared her throat, every fiber of her body on alert. “Forgive me, Baron Carrick, Baroness.” Her words came out in a rushed gasp. “But I...” She couldn’t come up with a reasonable excuse to leave. “I...need a moment. To freshen up.” She bobbed a half curtsy. “Thank you for coming,” she added breathlessly before hurrying off.
She darted into a parlor off the main hall and leaned on the back of a couch, her right hand still clenched. Faint rays of moonlight crisscrossed the floor following the lattice-work on the window. Her chest heaved as she realized she’d been holding her breath. “He’s a scoundrel.” That’s what Minerva had said. “Be careful.” She stared at the logs stacked in the cold fireplace. The nerve... Never had a man dared be so forward with her. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her breathing. It was nothing. He just put his hand on my back.
Unexpectedly.
For no reason.
She groaned and opened her clenched fist, letting the warmth grow as magic flowed into her palm. Her skin glowed sky blue. She thrust her hand toward the fireplace, directing her energy into a stream of yellow-orange fire that hit the logs with a crackling roar. She let the energy wane, the magic recede. The extra warmth and the light in her palm faded away. With a sigh, she sank down onto the couch. Nolan hadn’t done anything terribly wrong. But she’d still felt trapped. I’ve never liked being trapped.
The door opened and she darted to her feet. “Oh—Minerva.” She sat back down. “I know; I should be out there. I just...needed a moment.”
Minerva eased the door closed. She looked at Adelaide, at the lively fire and back again. “Some servant is going to take the fall for that, you know.”
Adelaide blushed. “I’ll put it out before I leave.”
Minerva sat next to her. “Is everything all right? I saw you walking away from the baron and baroness in a hurry.” She paused. “Did they say something...unkind?”
“Oh, no. Nolan Carrick is—friendly. I wasn’t sure how to react.” They sat in silence for a moment. “Do you know anything about Lord Hargreaves? Sir Nolan said some odd things.”
Minerva leaned back against the couch. “I know he’s illegitimate and because of that was sent away when he was very young. It’s why he’s Lord of Arrano, not Lord Arrano.”
No wonder he doesn’t care about lineages. Adelaide’s heart wrenched. But being treated differently for something that’s not your fault...sent away from the people you love. The life you know. She clutched the pillow tighter. I understand how that feels. Even if not that extreme.
Minerva must have known what she was thinking, because she put her arm around Adelaide’s shoulders. “He worked as a mercenary until he inherited Arrano when the legitimate heir died childless. Other than that, only rumors.”
So he was a mercenary. Adelaide tucked an escaped strand of hair behind her ear and turned so she could see Minerva’s face. This hairstyle was not cooperating tonight. “What sort of rumors?”
Minerva shifted, her hand resting on her stomach. “When he arrived to claim Arrano, his step-mother was still alive, as was his half-brother’s wife. They put forth a champion to challenge him. People say he won the duel too easily. No one has heard from the Arrano ladies since. Rational minds say they went to family in Craigailte. But between that and the fact he often disappears alone and has never once invited anyone into Arrano castle, it’s led to some wild speculation.” She chuckled. “My personal favorite is he’s a vampire.”
Adelaide laughed in disbelief. “He’s hardly pale enough for that.”
“There are other stories. He’s a sorcerer. He made a deal with a demon to get his father’s estate and title. He’s hiding something terrible in his castle. Some say he’s still a mercenary.”
Adelaide frowned. None of this lined up with the sweet, slightly awkward man she had talked to. “If people think he’s so horrible, why did Lord and Lady Drummond invite him?”
“Oh, it would be terribly impolite not to,” Minerva said matter-of-factly. “So most people invite him, although he doesn’t always come. I suspect some nobles do so out of fear. If he is a supernatural being or demonic servant, they fear offending him.” She shrugged. “But mostly people are curious. They hope one day he will observe proper social protocol and return the invite, and they can see inside Arrano.”
Adelaide stared at the dancing flames. “Do you think he’s dangerous?”
Minerva thought for a moment. “Possibly. He doesn’t look particularly friendly. But I have never seen him be anything but polite and reserved. Maybe if he smiled more people would be willing to give him a chance.”
“He smiled tonight.” He smiled for me.
“Well, he left, so you don’t have to worry about him. Your blades can stay stowed in your boots.” Minerva stood and held out her hand. “Come on. Our guests are waiting.”
“Humph.” Despite how much she wanted to continue avoiding said guests, Adelaide took Minerva’s hand and they headed toward the door. “Oh—wait. Nearly forgot.” She turned toward the fireplace and held out both hands, concentrating. Her palms glowed as she slammed her hands into fists. The fire collapsed on itself, going out with a whoosh.
“Adelaide!” Minerva’s eyes widened. She peered around, as if afraid someone could have seen. “Did Father and Mother change their minds?”
Adelaide’s heart beat faster. “Please don’t tell—”
“I see.” Minerva sighed. “I won’t. But you have to stop.”
“It’s not that easy.” Adelaide fiddled with her scarf. “It’s part of me.”
The deep shadows on Minerva’s face in the moonlight made her look extra afraid and disapproving. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m being careful. No one knows. Besides, I have my daggers.” She smiled, but Min’s frown deepened.
“The Shadow killed warrior mages, too.” Min took a deep breath through her nose and exhaled. “I’ve always admired your courage, Ad. But you know it’s safest to hide.” Minerva turned toward the door. “Just...don’t do anything stupid, all right?”
“I won’t,” she said as Minerva opened the door. But I still hate hiding.
Adelaide managed to avoid Sir Nolan for the rest of the party, although he seemed to keep appearing nearby. To her disappointment, Lord Hargreaves had disappeared. Guests flowed out, with gracious but empty well-wishes for her and Mother and gratitude to the Drummonds for hosting. Lord
Hargreaves’ knight, Sir Dresden, lingered in front of her.
“Lord Hargreaves asked me to tell you he enjoyed your conversation and regrets he had to leave early to attend to other business. He hopes your paths cross again soon.” Sir Dresden smiled, more of a charming, playful smirk. “Might I bring him a message from you, my lady?”
“Oh.” So he was interested? She glanced at Mother, but she was busy talking to a woman with silver-streaked blond hair. Dresden waited expectantly. What on earth was she supposed to say? She didn’t want to be too forward, but she also didn’t want to appear uninterested. “I wish Lord Hargreaves hadn’t left so soon. I would have liked to continue our conversation. It was the only real conversation I had all night.”
Dresden bowed, his eyes dancing. “Excellent. I wish you the best, Lady Belanger.”
“Wait!” She pushed a strand of hair away from her eye as Dresden’s brows pinched. “Can...can you tell him I know? And I don’t care about lineages, either?”
The corner of Dresden’s mouth quirked upward. “I will, my lady.”
Adelaide felt flustered for the next several farewells and hoped it didn’t show. Eventually the line of guests ended, and Lord Drummond closed the door, but she was certain the Carricks hadn’t passed her. How did she completely miss them?
Looking more relaxed with the guests gone, Gaius leaned over to kiss Minerva’s cheek, but she turned her head and kissed him. Adelaide grinned. Lady Drummond breezed past with a broad smile.
“Thank you for waiting, Baron.”
Adelaide turned and her eyes widened. The Carricks stood at the back of the small foyer, near the staircase leading up to the residential floors. Nolan leaned against an oak table bearing a marble bust of one of the previous Lord Drummonds, looking right at her. He smiled when he caught her gaze.
“Your trunks were already brought up. If you will follow me.” Lady Drummond turned and headed up the stairs. The baron and baroness followed. Nolan languidly pushed off the table, his gaze never leaving her. He winked before following his parents.
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