Chapter 2 #2
Unemotional steadiness, Theo reminded himself, looking away before she caught him staring.
His eyes fell instead on the young man seated across from the princess, the one who’d made the snide comment.
The duke had been placed between him and the prince, and Theo realized that the duke’s narrow face bore a strong resemblance to the younger man.
Theo was surprised to find the stranger watching him unashamedly, the hint of a challenge in his eyes. Theo held his gaze, in no hurry to break the silent exchange.
“Prince Theodore, allow me to introduce you to both the Duke of Nirocha and his son, Lord Bertrand, Viscount of Linner,” Prince Patrick interjected helpfully.
The duke said all the appropriate things before the king claimed his attention from Prince Patrick’s other side.
“I’ve been eager to meet you, Your Highness.” There was a satisfied glint in the young viscount’s eye that sent a frisson of irritation over Theo. “My family is honored to add our welcome to that of Their Majesties.”
It was an irreproachable speech as far as the words went. But Theo was no fool, and he could read more than was said in plain words. If the mocking aside hadn’t already done so, the tone of the viscount’s welcome would certainly have marked him an enemy.
“Thank you for your welcome, Lord Bertrand,” he said mildly. “I look forward to better making your acquaintance.”
He meant it. He may not be staying long in Toledda, but he didn’t intend to waste that time. He wanted to learn as much as he could about his future father-in-law’s court—the unfriendly as well as the benign.
“Prince Theodore.”
A much more pleasant voice brought Theo’s attention to the princess beside him. Princess Elowen had an air of determination, and he got the sense she was eager to prevent further discussion between Theo and Lord Bertrand. That suspicion did nothing to decrease Theo’s dislike of the man.
“I’d also like to introduce you to Lady Sophia.” Elowen indicated the young woman seated beside Lord Bertrand, with a riot of dark curls tastefully arranged on her head. “She’s Lord Bertrand’s sister, and my dearest friend.”
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Lady Sophia,” Theo said, trying to insert more warmth into his words this time.
He doubted either Lady Sophia or Princess Elowen could hear it.
Friendliness to strangers didn’t come naturally to him at the best of times—stiff as he was—and he wasn’t thrilled to know that the viscount’s family was so closely intertwined with the princess.
But good manners prompted him to engage the other young woman in polite conversation for a few minutes.
It wasn’t her fault that her brother showed signs of being combative, after all.
Her demeanor certainly held no veiled hostility.
She gave a general impression of sweet timidity, her dark eyes kind but her expression uncertain as she responded to Theo’s conversation, her gaze flicking repeatedly to her brother.
She was wasting her effort. To all appearances, Lord Bertrand was paying no attention to his sister’s conversation with the prince. He was leaning forward on one casual elbow, his eyes fixed on Princess Elowen as he took advantage of Theo’s distraction to draw her into conversation.
When Theo looked over to find the nobleman’s eyes resting on him, a slight smirk on his face, he felt nothing but disdain. Did this fool think Theo was going to compete with him? He was betrothed to Princess Elowen, he had no need to prove anything to anyone.
“Are you sure you’re well enough for all this fuss, Princess?” the viscount said. “I thought perhaps you would be recovering from your ordeal. No one would blame you for being discomposed by a near-death experience.”
Theo turned his head, captured in spite of himself. Princess Elowen flushed again under his scrutiny, her expression making him think she would have preferred him not to hear about whatever ordeal Lord Bertrand had referenced.
“Lord Bertrand exaggerates, Prince Theodore,” she said with a light smile. “I suffered a mishap earlier today, but I’m neither injured nor discomposed.”
“No exaggeration is required,” Lord Bertrand contradicted her. “My dear princess, you threw yourself under a falling building.”
“I did no such thing.” The princess looked increasingly irritated.
The brazenness of the viscount in smiling fondly on her annoyance made Theo’s heart sink further.
How close was their relationship that Lord Bertrand teased her so openly?
She drew a deep breath, turning to Theo again.
“I came too close to a collapsing building, but not by design. Naturally I didn’t wish to be crushed. ”
“Naturally,” Theo agreed, his tone reassuring. “I’m glad you’re unharmed.”
“Of course you didn’t wish to be crushed,” the viscount said, as if Theo hadn’t spoken. He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Only a fool would listen to the idle gossip of the servants who are claiming you hoped for injury so as to avoid…unpleasant responsibilities.”
With the last word, his eyes flicked to Theo, who felt himself stiffening.
“Bertrand.” The pained murmur came from Lady Sophia, but her brother didn’t seem much chastened.
Before Theo had decided how to respond to the startlingly bold attack, the duke pulled his attention from his conversation with the king to look at his son. He said nothing, but under his slight frown, Lord Bertrand leaned back in his chair, his words ceasing as he idly lifted his wine glass.
Prince Patrick had also become aware of their conversation. His eyes darted over Princess Elowen’s strained demeanor and Theo’s stiff silence, and a small crease appeared between his brows.
“Forgive my distraction,” he said lightly. “What are we speaking of?”
“Lord Bertrand was telling me of the princess’s unfortunate accident earlier today,” Theo said blandly.
A brief flash of annoyance crossed Prince Patrick’s face, suggesting he also would have preferred the incident not to be mentioned.
“Fortunately no one was harmed,” the prince said tightly. “The building had just been condemned, but we were clearly too slow in acting on its deterioration.”
“I’m simply glad I happened to be present to intervene on the princess’s behalf,” Lord Bertrand said, inclining his head in apparent deference to Princess Elowen.
“Indeed, Princess,” interjected the duke. “As regrettable as the incident was, I was very pleased to hear our family was able to assist in your protection as well as Sophia’s.”
His eyes flicked to his daughter, a hint of anxiety visible. Theo concluded that the young noblewoman had also been placed in danger.
Princess Elowen’s face gave little away.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said. “It was indeed fortunate that your servant was there, and able to use his considerable skill in magic craft to protect Sophia and myself.” She glanced at the servants lining the wall behind the table, frowning slightly. “Where is Simeon, incidentally?”
Theo followed her gaze, but none of the servants seemed to catch her attention.
“I’m not sure.” Lord Bertrand didn’t bother looking around.
“What do you mean, you’re not sure?” Lady Sophia frowned at her brother, showing the first sign of animation Theo had seen from her.
Lord Bertrand shrugged. “He disappeared after we returned from the watchtower, and when I called for him to accompany me to dinner tonight, he was nowhere to be found.”
Theo didn’t miss the look that passed between Princess Elowen and her friend, neither woman looking pleased with this information. Who exactly was this Simeon?
“Irregular behavior, to be certain,” said Prince Patrick with the air of one wishing to close the conversation. “But I daresay he can be forgiven the need to rest after his exertions today.”
“He wouldn’t go to rest without alerting you,” Lady Sophia interjected, apparently not ready to let the matter drop.
Lord Bertrand just shrugged again, but the young man to Lady Sophia’s other side leaned forward.
“Are you talking about your manservant, Bertrand? He left Toledda.”
“What do you mean?” Lady Sophia demanded.
“I saw him riding out the northern gate when I was arriving a couple of hours ago,” the newcomer said. “He was hard to miss, because he was covered in ash, or something. Very disheveled, he looked.”
“That would be the stone dust from the tower collapse.” Princess Elowen sounded startled.
“The northern gate?” The duke’s tone was sharp. “He returned home without seeking leave?”
Lord Bertrand’s demeanor was no longer languid, the frown across his brow identical to his father’s. “That goes beyond the line,” he agreed. “Especially after he’s just received leave to visit his family up in their forest village.”
Theo remained silent, taking note of the varying expressions on the faces around him. There was more to this situation than met the eye, but he didn’t yet have the understanding to decipher it.
The conversation petered out as the servants cleared an enormous platter of pheasant from in front of him and replaced it with an array of fruit and sweet tarts, and a stone pitcher of hot, sweet tea.
“Prince Theodore.” The queen drew his attention, her smile warm as she watched him select a sugar-dusted pastry.
“As you know, the betrothal celebrations don’t begin until the day after tomorrow.
Since we have the pleasure of your company earlier than expected, I hope you’ll take the time to enjoy Toledda.
Perhaps Elowen can take you to the floating gardens tomorrow. ”
“I would be glad to,” the princess said, smiling tentatively at him.
“They’re beautiful—a small marsh was discovered during construction of the city, and instead of filling it in, someone had the happy thought of enhancing it and turning it into a beautiful, water-based garden.
We have all kinds of unusual flowers, even floating lilies imported from Pulau. ”
She became more animated as she spoke, her smile infectious by the time she mentioned the island kingdom to the west of Torrens.
Theo returned it. “I look forward to learning more of these gardens tomorrow.”
He thought he caught a small movement from Lord Bertrand, but when he glanced over, the nobleman remained silent, his posture relaxed.
Lady Sophia, however, cleared her throat. “The gardens are so beautiful, aren’t they? I haven’t been in an age. I wonder if…” Her voice trailed off, its tone uncomfortable, and Princess Elowen came to her rescue.
“We would be delighted for you to join us, of course, Sophia.”
Theo inclined his head, trying to hide his disappointment. He’d hoped for the chance for private speech with Princess Elowen, but that was unlikely with her friend in tow.
“I wouldn’t wish to intrude,” Lady Sophia said hesitantly.
“You’re never an intrusion,” Princess Elowen assured her.
“Perhaps we could make a group expedition,” Lady Sophia said. She glanced at Prince Patrick. “Your Highness, do you intend to join the outing?”
“Certainly, if Elowen wishes to host a gathering, I’ll be glad to join,” the prince said politely, his true feelings hard for even Theo to read under all that diplomacy.
“Sounds like a fun morning.” Lord Bertrand’s cheerful interjection was no less irksome for being predictable. “I look forward to it.”
“Excellent.” Queen Lisbeth, at least, seemed pleased.
“The arrangements will be made.” She lifted the delicate porcelain cup into which her tea had been poured, then set it down without drinking any.
The gesture was subtle, but a servant behind her immediately shifted.
Inconspicuously, the woman pulled out a small wooden ball attached to a string, that she lowered and lifted in rapid succession by some means Theo couldn’t identify.
Theo’s senses—untrained and not particularly sharpened—picked up the faint stirring of Dust. After a moment, steam rose once more from the cup of tea, and the queen raised it to her lips in a graceful movement.
Theo returned his gaze to his food, ashamed of the tiny pang of jealousy that went through him. Absurd—irresponsible, even—for a prince to be envious of a serving woman. It was fascinating, though, to see this evidence that magic was used more freely in Torrenese daily life than he was used to.
When the king rose soon after, the rest of them did as well.
“I apologize, Prince Theodore,” King Ronan said amicably. “But I have matters requiring my attention.” His sweeping gesture encompassed the whole table. “Please feel free to continue to enjoy yourselves.”
He directed a nod to Prince Patrick, who fell into step with his father as they crossed the room, the king’s steward materializing when they reached the doorway.
Conversation bubbled up again, but it was no more than ten minutes before the queen also stood.
She bid the company good evening, sweeping her daughter from the room with her, and thus removing any interest Theo had in lingering.
He could tell at a glance that Lord Bertrand had every intention of continuing to needle him, so he excused himself and left the dining hall as well.
It was early to retire, but he was weary enough from his journey that he would have no difficulty falling asleep.
His last thought as he drifted was of the princess, her eyes straying back to him for the briefest of moments as her mother ushered her from the dining hall.