26. Clarity
26
Clarity
“Did you accomplish what you had hoped?” Ilora asked as she approached.
Rosalind nodded. A touch overdramatically, perhaps…
“That mustache is absolutely ghastly,” Ilora commented as soon as Marcus was out of earshot.
“Befitting of his character if you ask me,” Rosalind murmured grimly.
“So it seems. Valentina and Jonathan don’t seem too fond of him either. Both were markedly displeased to witness you accompanying him on the dance floor. They were certain he was up to something.”
They weren’t wrong , Rosalind thought but decided against voicing it as she didn’t want to have to go into details. So instead, she offered, “He knows I’m not an accomplished dancer and figured it’d make for some light entertainment. I’m pleased to say I managed to avoid embarrassing myself for the most part.”
“Glad to hear it,” Ilora replied. She glanced around before asking, “Is there somewhere quieter we can go? Somewhere we won’t be overheard?”
Rosalind swallowed. “C-certainly. The courtyard should do.”
She would be lying if she said Marcus’s words hadn’t gotten into her head. What was it Ilora wanted to say to her that couldn’t be said here ?
Her heart pounded in her chest as she and Ilora walked side by side toward the towering hedges. The ball’s music and lively chatter faded into the distance as they walked along the stone steps toward the courtyard. She greeted Franklin, who was seated on a wooden chair partway along the path. He was getting on in years, so his primary duty for the evening was to ensure guests didn’t venture beyond the perimeter of the ball. The courtyard was among the places closed off to guests, which guaranteed no one would be around to listen.
“Are you enjoying the evening so far?” Rosalind asked, unable to bear the silence any longer as they made their way along the hedge maze.
“I can’t say I am, no,” Ilora admitted, and Rosalind couldn’t help but be surprised by her frankness. “It is undoubtedly a lovely venue and a beautiful night for a party, but welcoming guests is dreadfully tiresome. My mouth hurts from all the smiling. But perhaps I’ll sing a different tune after we’ve made our announcement, and I can finally relax and enjoy a glass of wine.”
“I haven’t had to partake in a welcome procession myself, but Val tells me it’s a ‘soul-sucking affair’ that takes years off her life every time.”
Ilora chuckled. “Good to know I’m not the only one who isn’t fond of them.”
An assortment of divine floral scents filled the air as they entered the hidden courtyard. And though the night muted their vibrancy, the warm glow from lanterns scattered about the garden still illuminated the rich hues that blossomed around them. Lilacs, gardenias, sweet peas, and stargazer lilies were among the abundance of flowers that sat atop large stone planters encircling the quiet space.
After peering around to ensure they were alone, Rosalind steeled herself as best she could and turned to Ilora. Feigning an ease she didn’t feel, she inquired, “What is it you wished to speak to me about?”
“Ah yes,” Ilora began as she reached into a concealed pocket in her gown and pulled out a small velvet pouch. “Firstly, I wanted to give you this. From Padraic, Enzo, and I. It’s a token of our gratitude for all your help in Ashwind.”
“You needn’t have troubled yourselves,” Rosalind said as she took hold of the pouch. Gently, she tugged at the drawstrings, revealing what appeared to be matching bracelets. “They’re beautiful,” she breathed.
They were simple in nature, thin cuffs made from smooth, unblemished silver. The center of each curved into a chevron, reminiscent of the pattern birds made as they ventured south for the winter. Upon closer inspection, Rosalind noted detailed engravings along their insides.
“Erdesian-made, if you hadn’t already guessed by the craftsmanship,” Ilora explained. “When you wear them, they conceal the presence of magic in your hands. Enzo says they’re common amongst the elite in Erdesay so as not to reveal the extent of one’s wielding abilities.”
Rosalind stared down at the bracelets she held in her glove-shrouded hands. It was perhaps the most thoughtful gift she’d ever received. Her voice wavered as she spoke. “This is incredibly kind of you. Thank you.”
“Thank you , Miss Carver,” said Ilora. “Do know Padraic wishes to offer his gratitude to you as well. I’m certain he and Enzo will seek you out later this evening.”
Rosalind was intrigued to learn Padraic’s partner was in attendance. The Masons had seemed reluctant to speak about them, and now they were here. It would be nice to put a face to the name finally.
“There’s something else,” Ilora said after a moment. “Something I’m not certain has been made clear to you yet. ”
Rosalind’s shoulders stiffened. “Oh?”
She gripped the bracelets in her hand. Had these been given to her to help soften the blow of what was to come?
“There is no engagement. Never was one. It’s nothing more than a rumor we fostered to account for Jonathan’s extended stay in Meridian. He was certain you two would recognize it to be false, but judging by your absence upon our arrival and Lady Valentina’s icy reception toward him, I take it that was not necessarily the case.”
Rosalind let out the breath she was holding, and her heart began to race as the truth set in. Valentina had been right to believe it was a ruse. What else might she have been right about?
“In truth,” Ilora continued, “we were sorting out what to do about my father. Once that was dealt with, we realized we had a unique opportunity on our hands, one we’d be remiss not to capitalize on. That is what delayed Jonathan’s return to Brighthall.”
“So it was true? Your father was responsible for what happened to Padraic?”
“He was,” Ilora replied in a detached tone. “He learned of Padraic’s intentions to elope with Enzo and renounce his succession to the Meridian council. Without Padraic to inherit his seat on the council, my father would have to elect a cousin or nephew to the position, something he wasn’t keen to do. He thought to sully my brother’s affections for Enzo in an attempt to change his mind.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Isn’t it? I want to say I never thought him capable of such a thing, but…” Ilora trailed off. “He’s a proud and vain man, my father. I suspect he’d do just about anything to keep our family’s name and position on the regional council.”
Ilora spoke as though she felt nothing of his betrayal, but the glassy reflection of the lantern’s light in her eyes suggested otherwise .
“Could he not name you the successor?” Rosalind asked, recalling how Ilora had mentioned an interest in diplomacy during their first meeting.
“He could, but he would never. Not of his own volition, at least. My family’s seat on the council has only ever been held by men, and if it were up to him, it would remain that way.” There was an edge of bitterness in Ilora’s voice, but not nearly as much as was warranted.
“How terribly unfair. I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate your sympathy, Miss Carver, but if anyone here is to apologize, it should be me.”
“Apologize?” Rosalind repeated incredulously. “Whatever for?”
“I suspect my behavior in the brief time we’ve been acquainted is partially to blame for your belief in the rumor,” Ilora explained. “You had cause to think it was true because, until recently, I had endeavored to make it so.”
Rosalind’s mouth went dry. “I see.”
A part of her was relieved to hear it, to know she hadn’t imagined things. The rest of her, however, was still wrapped up in a tangle of frayed nerves. Where was all of this headed?
“I’ve always thought us a suitable match,” Ilora went on. “Common upbringing, similar passions and philosophies. We’re both idealistic in nature yet pragmatic in our approach. We also get along quite well; if I couldn’t involve myself in politics directly, I could at least marry into it. While it wouldn’t be a love match per se, it would be an amicable one. I was certain Jonathan thought similarly, and perhaps he did until his return to Brighthall.”
Ilora glanced around the courtyard. “Last time we were here, Padraic told me he suspected something had transpired between you and Jonathan. I paid little mind to it as it didn’t change the fact that our union remained the most prudent choice. Besides, I figured it was little more than a dalliance, a consequence of two unattached persons residing under the same roof. But I was wrong, wasn’t I?”
Rosalind didn’t know how to answer. It had undoubtedly ended up being more than that to her, but she couldn’t speak for Jonathan.
“You needn’t say anything,” Ilora continued. “I know Jonathan well enough to know the answer already.”
It took a moment for Rosalind to grasp her meaning, but as soon as she did, there was no stemming the torrent of joy that rushed through her.
Ilora took hold of Rosalind’s hand. “Please rest assured you have nothing to worry about where I’m concerned. I know that may be hard to believe, given only moments ago, I admitted to having hoped to marry Jonathan, but that was before everything came to light. He’s a dear friend, and I would never dream of interfering with his happiness. Also…” Ilora dragged the word out, and the beginning of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “As of earlier this week, I no longer need to marry to get what I seek. Thanks in large part to Jonathan, things have worked out quite in my favor. Better than I ever could have imagined. Padraic as well.” She was grinning in earnest now.
Though Rosalind hadn’t known Ilora for long, she didn’t doubt her assurance. Jonathan trusted her, which was enough for Rosalind to feel the same. Moreover, the gleam in Iloras’s eyes as she spoke about her recent favorable development was so effusive that it left no room for uncertainty.
Admittedly, Rosalind was curious to learn more about whatever Ilora was alluding to, but before she could ask, a pronounced cough echoed throughout the courtyard. Both women whirled around to find Louis standing at the mouth of the hedge maze .
“Lady Ilora, Jonathan requests your presence,” he said as he dipped into a low bow. He looked to Rosalind and smiled. “Yours as well, my dear.”