CHAPTER 27
Katy
A
fter writing another figure in her ledger, Katy leaned back in her chair and let Axel’s rich baritone wash over her. She hadn’t realized that his singing had disappeared from their study until it had returned with the score from the director.
Pleasant as it was, she had work to do. Picking up her pen, she bent forward and resumed her notes on the state of the kingdom’s wool trade. She kept an ear out for the rustling of page turns; if it ceased, Axel was lost in his singing and had drifted away from the report in front of him.
The soft thud of wood tapping against wood brought her eyes to the doorway.
The door was resting against the bookshelves lining the wall next to it, and Tobias leaned against the door frame.
Instead of his normal mildly rumpled air, he gave off the impression of lazy competence.
His straight black hair had been trimmed to a fashionable length, and his light blue waistcoat was smooth; even leaning against something, he stood straighter than he usually did.
“Tobias. What are you doing at the castle so early?” Axel’s voice held a hint of surprise.
Pushing off the door frame, Tobias sauntered into the room. “My father’s orders,” he drawled. “Seems to think Luther might secure the prize otherwise.”
“He must have attended a different Midwinter Ball than I did.” Katy tapped her pen against her cheek, not bothering to hide her amused smile.
Settling his weight on one foot instead of slouching, Tobias tucked his empty hands in his waistcoat pockets. “Indeed. Where is your charming sister, my prince?” he asked with an uninterested expression.
“With her tutor, studying the finer points of our history.” Axel folded his hands behind his head and reclined back in his chair. “I am unsure which would distress her more: being left to her lessons or being pulled from them by you.”
“Best to leave her be.” Casting his eyes slowly about, Tobias casually added, “I heard your sister stayed longer this time.”
It took Katy a moment to realize he was addressing her. Remembering the ball a few nights before, she tried to smother her smile. “That’s right. Since my lady’s maid moved back to Flussendorf with Otto, Liesl agreed to take her place for a few months.”
Tobias shifted to the other foot. “Too bad about his illness. I hope he recovers soon.” Katy nodded her thanks. “Where is she when you’re in here?”
The corner of Axel’s mouth was twitching now. “Mother granted her a room in the guest wing since she is Katy’s sister, but she is likely in the kitchen, dusted in flour from head to foot.”
“She’s used to being outdoors, though. She might appreciate a trip through the gardens.
” Placing her pen in a drawer, Katy rose from her chair and rested a hand on Axel’s elbow.
“Some fresh air and a break from sitting would do us good. Would you like to join us, Tobias? We can fetch Liesl on our way out.”
Axel bounced out of his seat. “A splendid idea, my love! Let us away to retrieve our cloaks, then off to the chilly but beautiful outdoors via the kitchen!”
Tobias fell into step beside them, his strides managing to look lazy even as he kept pace with Axel’s energetic walk.
Instead of following them to the royal wing, Tobias headed to the kitchen.
He complained that he didn’t want to walk the extra distance, but Katy didn’t believe him.
Based on the twinkle in his eyes, Axel didn’t, either.
It was a decent day, considering it was a few days before the new year. Instead of blustery, the air was lightly breezy, teasing their hoods without whipping them off. A dusting of snow sat on everything, covering the ground and powdering the evergreen bushes.
“Is this a first?” Katy leaned closer to Axel, keeping her voice low so Tobias and Liesl wouldn’t overhear. Not that they would with Liesl’s chatter. “I’ve never seen him escort a young lady before.”
Axel tilted his head and studied them with a critical eye. “He escorts his sister sometimes. And when we were younger, he occasionally deigned to offer his arm. But it has been a while.”
“So they say,” Tobias drawled. “But in my opinion, the angora is softer than—”
“If you think that, then you should visit Flussendorf with me. There’s nothing softer or fluffier than my Lizzie.” Liesl raised her chin and smirked.
Tobias’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he turned toward her. “Maybe I will.”
Clearing her throat, Katy paused next to a bench. “I think I should rest a few moments.” Liesl dropped Tobias’s arm to face her. “But don’t wait on my account; you should keep exploring if you wish.”
“Are you sure, Katy?” Liesl folded her hands behind her back and skipped closer. “I am here to keep you company, after all.”
Pulling their joined hands behind her waist, Katy settled against Axel’s side and gave her sister a sly grin. Her cheeks reddened, but she pushed through. “Yes, but I don’t need your company right now.”
Axel willingly played along, wrapping his arm farther around her and tucking her close. “Fear not, dear little sister; I’ll take care of her for you.”
Giggling, Liesl tugged on Tobias’s arm. “All right. We’ll pick you up when we come back.”
Katy settled onto the bench next to Axel, waving her sister away with her free hand. Once they were out of earshot, Axel bent his head to whisper in her ear. “Matchmaking, are you?”
She smiled happily, enjoying the pleasant feel of his lips brushing against her skin. “What if I just want to be alone in the gardens with you?”
Chuckling, he wrapped a finger in her curls. “Naturally, I do not object. But you hate being cold.”
She snuggled into his chest, smiling as she soaked up his heat. “Then it’s fortunate that you’re warm.”