24. Valentinas Interrogation
24
Valentina's Interrogation
“Pardon, my lady, you asked me to inform you when Lord Rashford was approaching. Colby says his carriage and that belonging to the Mason family are venturing down the lane as we speak.”
Valentina glanced over at her bedroom doorway to find one of the housemaids poking her head in. “Thank you, Charlene. Please let Louis know I shall join him shortly.”
She added the last pin to her hair and swiped a tad more rouge on her cheeks before making her way downstairs to assume her place opposite Louis at the manor's entrance.
“As always, you look a vision of beauty, my dear. You were born to wear violet.”
“You’re too kind, Louis. And yes, I suppose I was,” Valentina replied with a faint smile.
She knew she looked good in her evening gown. As Louis had pointed out, the color was the exact shade of Rashford violet that always complemented her skin tone so well. The neckline of her satin dress verged on indecent, saved only by the trail of beaded lace appliqué along its hem. That same appliqué wrapped around her waist and ran down the sides of her dress. Out from under the flowing Dolman sleeves that draped over the edge of her shoulders was again the appliqué, which ran down her arms like fitted sleeves, tapering at her wrists and looping around her middle fingers.
“What of Rosalind?” Louis asked. “Will she not be joining us? ”
“No, I don’t believe so. Probably off helping Maria with something or other. You know how she is.”
Admittedly, Valentina wasn’t sure where she was at the moment. She had expected Rosalind to join her in getting primped and preened for tonight’s festivities, but she never came around. Before venturing downstairs, she peeked into her room only to find it empty. That wasn’t altogether surprising, seeing as she had recommended that Rosalind keep herself occupied until the ball.
Even if Jonathan hadn’t made a mess of things and left her in a tizzy, Rosalind was still in for an overwhelming evening. For one, tonight’s ball marked the first high society event she would attend sans enchantment. Because nothing in Proper stayed secret for long, she was sure to encounter many a curious glance and possibly even an unbid advance or two. Rosalind never did like attention on her. Then there was her whole wandering well predicament to contend with, which would no doubt have her on edge.
This is why Valentina insisted she confront Jonathan first to get to the bottom of whatever was going on. Then, she could relay it back to Rosalind, allowing her a chance to process the information behind closed doors. If Valentina’s suspicions were correct, she’d have nothing but good news to impart. She really hoped she was right.
“Ilora, Padraic, welcome,” Valentina said with a smile as the Masons passed through the open doorway. “It’s wonderful to have you both back here at Brighthall. I’m pleased to see you two looking so well. How was your trip? Pleasant, I hope.”
“There were a few bumps along the way, but overall, I can’t complain as I was in good company,” Padraic answered cheerfully.
Valentina glanced between him and Ilora, barely holding back a grimace. The thought of spending an entire day traveling alone with Jonathan sounded like an absolute nightmare. To think the Masons actually enjoyed being around one another for so long was unimaginable. She considered asking them how they managed it, but she was interrupted.
“Afternoon, Val. You clean up well. Though admittedly, I’m a bit surprised to see you ready so soon.”
Valentina looked over at Jonathan, who was standing in the doorway. The impressed look on his face only fueled her irritation toward him, though he was none the wiser. She didn’t miss his eyes scanning the foyer, searching for something. Or, in his case, someone.
“Expecting a larger welcome party, were you? On a day we’re to host the ball you announced on short notice? Sorry to disappoint, brother, but most everyone is preoccupied at the moment. Not to mention, you’re cutting it quite close. Guests will be arriving in no time.”
She knew her remark was uncalled for, especially in front of guests. Poor Louis was likely suffering from palpitations in the wake of her words; she would apologize to him later. She wanted Jonathan to know straight away how displeased she was with him. The uncomfortable shift in his stance suggested he’d received the message.
“Speaking of the ball,” Valentina went on, flashing a bright smile at the Masons, “I’m sure you two are eager to freshen up for the evening.”
“Oh, I don’t know, I’d quite like to see what happens ne—”
Ilora nudged Padraic, silencing him. “Yes, very much so,” she replied politely. “We had planned to arrive earlier, but unfortunately, we encountered a bit of a delay.” Ilora glanced over at Jonathan, seeming uncertain as to whether she should elaborate.
“Let’s not waste a moment longer then,” Valentina exclaimed. Frankly, she had no interest in hearing why they were late; her mind was already set on confronting Jonathan.
She turned to where Charlene was hovering nearby. “Charlene, will you please coordinate with Colby to transport the Masons’ things to their rooms as soon as possible? While he does that, can you prepare hot water for our guests and some light refreshments?” Valentina glanced around the foyer. “Where’s Sylvia? I was thinking of having her show them to their rooms.”
Charlene hesitated briefly. “She’s indisposed at the moment, my lady. But I can check to see if she’s faring better.”
“No need,” Jonathan chimed in. “I can show them to their rooms.” He didn’t dally, quickly whisking Ilora and Padraic up the stairs before Charlene or even Valentina could protest.
Valentina leaned against the desk in the study, her foot tapping against the patterned blue and gray rug that sat beneath. She stared at the door with her arms crossed, waiting. Jonathan was sorely mistaken if he thought he could evade her. And sure enough, it wasn’t long before voices sounded beyond the door.
“...with the utmost discretion, please, Louis,” she overheard Jonathan say as he entered the room.
Both he and Louis stilled upon seeing her standing inside. Valentina watched as Jonathan’s expression shifted from bewilderment to wariness. “Val…”
“What exactly are you playing at, Jonathan?” she demanded.
At this, Louis raised a reproachful brow in Valentina’s direction before wordlessly seeing himself out of the room.
Jonathan sighed. “Look, can we please do this later? I don’t have time right now; I’m behind as it is. I’ll gladly explain everything once this is over, but at present, I’m in need of assistance.”
Nice try, but she wouldn’t let him off the hook so easily. “Have something big planned for this evening, do you?”
“I do, but its success is contingent on everything going precisely to plan. I would greatly appreciate it if you could help ensure the right people are where they need to be at the right time. Will you do that for me? ”
“It depends,” she replied listlessly. “Seems like an awful lot of scheming for an engagement announcement if you ask me.”
Jonathan pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s what you think this is about?”
She bit back a smug smile. He was so easy to irritate. She shrugged. “It’s what you want everyone to believe, isn’t it?”
“Sure, but I didn’t think you’d fall for it.”
“I didn’t. I received your letter, and it was disconcerting, to say the least. Oddly formal, overly complimentary, and far too affectionate. I understood what it implied—that you were up to something but couldn’t say.”
Jonathan frowned. “Then why bring it up in the first place?”
“Because while I didn’t fall for your gossip-fueled little ruse, I can’t say the same for others.”
Valentina made sure to emphasize the last word. She watched the puzzled expression on his face melt away as he realized who she was referring to.
“Surely, she can’t think it true,” Jonathan said, searching her eyes with an expression that suggested he half-expected her to declare it all a jest. When she remained silent, he pressed on. “Did you not show her the letter and convey your suspicions?”
Valentina stifled the urge to roll her eyes. If only it were that simple. “Of course I did. She wants to believe I’m right but still has reservations, and I can’t blame her.”
He rubbed at the furrow that had formed between his brows. “What of the note I left her? Did she not find it?”
“You mean the inscrutable scribble you stuffed into her pocket before you left? ‘Not everything is as it appears,’” she recited in a mocking tone. “That note, Jonathan? Oh, yes, how very enlightening that was.”
“I couldn’t be forthright in case someone else discovered it,” he explained. “We needed to be as discreet as possible until we grasped the full extent of Chancellor Mason’s scheme and devised a plan; it wouldn’t do to have him know we were onto him.”
Jonathan scrubbed a hand down his face and leaned back against the door. “I never meant to hurt her or leave her guessing. To think, none of this would be an issue if I hadn’t been such a bumbling ninny that night. I was so close to getting the words out too,” he groaned, thumping his head against the door.
Dammit, he looked so miserable right now. Whether or not he had intended to make her sympathize with him, he had succeeded. “Perhaps you would have if I hadn’t barged in on you two,” she offered as an olive branch of sorts.
“Perhaps. But if I’m being honest, a small part of me is glad you did. I dread to think of the nonsense I was on the verge of saying…”
Curiosity peaked, Valentina leaned forward and asked, “Which was?”
“I don’t know… We had just witnessed incredible, life-saving wielding before our eyes and, well, I suppose magic was much on my mind. When I tried to come up with what to say to her, the only words I could think of were…” He hesitated. “I find myself inexorably enchanted by you .”
Valentina snorted. How terribly ironic and unimaginative. Perhaps it was fortunate Rosalind endured a fortnight of torment instead. Going by the sour look on his face, Jonathan was thinking much the same.
“Please, please tell me you have something better prepared now?” She implored.
“I do,” he said, patting at something in his pocket. “I had hoped to speak to her when I arrived, but she didn’t show. I volunteered to take Padraic and Ilora upstairs thinking I might find her in her room, but she wasn’t there. She wasn’t in any of the common rooms, nor was she in the kitchen with Maria. And yes, before you ask, I did check the courtyard. She wasn’t there either. Do you know where she might be?”
Valentina shook her head. She honestly hadn’t a clue. Might it have been easier for him to locate Rosalind if Valentina hadn’t encouraged her friend to effectively avoid him ahead of the ball? Perhaps, but she failed to see how admitting as much now would solve anything, so she didn’t mention it.
“It wouldn’t matter now anyway,” Jonathan lamented. “I’ve run out of time to tell her properly, in the manner she rightly deserves. We should have been here hours ago, but Armory had to go and take his precious fucking time in making up his mind, and now we’re in a rush to get things sorted.”
“You met with Lord Armory today?” Valentina asked. She had figured tonight’s true purpose was political in nature, but she didn’t know to what extent. It was surprising to imagine there was anything Jonathan and Lord Armory might agree about. She couldn’t help but be slightly intrigued, and Jonathan knew as much.
“I’ll tell you why if you agree to help me,” he offered.
“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll help.”
“Thank you, Val,” Jonathan said with a look of relief, though it didn’t last long. Consternation loomed overhead and shadowed his brow. “I won’t be able to speak with her privately until later this evening, which means she’ll have to endure uncertainty for another few hours. Doubtless, she’ll think me all the more indifferent for not seeking her out earlier.”
Valentina pushed off the desk and approached him. She considered him briefly, then reached out to straighten his pocket square. “You’ll just have to make it worth the wait, won’t you? Lucky for you, you’ve fallen for someone who is exceedingly understanding.”
Jonathan eyed her curiously. “You don’t seem surprised about any of this. How did you find out? Did she tell you? ”
Valentina raised a brow. “I have eyes, Jonathan. She didn’t have to. That being said, she did confide in me once she learned I knew. Now, might I offer a bit of advice?” She poked him hard in the chest. “Don’t fuck this up for us.”
“Us?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, I want this nearly as much as you do. If she’s with you, she’ll never have reason to leave Brighthall, and I shall never be without my dearest companion. It also saves me from having to feign niceties with whomever else you’d court in her stead. And really, she’s as good as family, so you might as well make it official.”
“Right.” Jonathan drew the word out, then added dryly, “I shall be sure to heed your encouraging advice when the time comes.”
Valentina smirked. He sounded less forlorn than he had moments ago—a small triumph in her book. Nothing like a little menace to shake him out of it.
“So, what’s this you need my help with?”