Chapter 12 #2
Nevan asked, “Why did you join us today, Lord Abnus? Not that we mind your presence, but I thought you would be busy… doing whatever it is that you fae do.”
“Lord Byrne asked me to watch over all of you in his absence,” Lord Abnus replied shortly.
“Hardly surprising, given the circling danger,” Neil said, pulling his horse back enough to sidle next to Lord Abnus.
“Indeed,” Georgie added, looking over their shoulder at us. “Aidan is the same as the rest of you lot—overprotective.”
Nevan laughed, and Neil smiled.
It was true. Aidan was our brother in every sense of the word.
Lord Abnus merely inclined his head.
The rest of the ride was pleasant. Nevan and Georgie laughed and joked about whatever caught their fancy.
Neil, Lord Abnus, and I didn’t join in, but I often smiled at their antics.
Thomas had married Georgie when I was still young, so they had been a part of my life for almost as long as I could remember, and I loved when they were at Byrne Manor.
It was a great deal more lively, only in the best way, with them.
The center of the village was alive with people once again, which was odd.
“It’s not market day,” I remarked.
Nevan replied, “With Christmas coming and more fae vendors, Aidan arranged for three market days a week.”
Yet another thing I knew nothing about.
Nevan and Neil started to lead the group away from the vendors, earning an annoyed exclamation from Georgie, and toward one of the large houses on the edge of Elmbury.
“Where are you going?” Georgie demanded, straightening their hat.
“To see Mr. Kelly, of course,” Nevan said. “We want to hear of his speculation. I personally don’t see the end value, but Neil here is quite certain.”
“The future is with fae goods, at least the immediate future. Aidan will allow more fae into Sídhetír than any lord before him. Fae goods are a simple product of that. Getting in with a tradesman like Mr. Kelly who wants to establish a group of fae craftsmen to make and then sell goods before they become commonplace is simply logical,” Neil replied.
“It will not only bring money, it will help integrate humans and fae alike, which is something Aidan wants.”
He did? That was definitely something I was interested in. Why hadn’t Aidan spoken to me?
“Fascinating,” Georgie said, picking at their coat, “but if it's all the same, I would like to do something more interesting than listen to you two discuss the details.”
“Such as?” Nevan asked, as if he couldn’t imagine anything more exciting.
“Looking at the vendors or calling on friends,” Georgie said. “It has been over a year since I’ve been back to Elmbury.”
“You shouldn’t wander off alone,” I said. Danger circled Sídhetír and none of us know whence it came or what it was exactly.
They rolled their eyes, gesturing to the multitude of people around us. “I’m surrounded, dear Oren. Perfectly safe or as safe as one could be. Now, my dear brothers and Lord Abnus, I believe I shall call upon a friend or two. I will meet you in the village center in an hour.”
I called after Georgie, but they ignored me, heading toward another house.
“They’ll be fine, Oren,” Neil said. “Elmbury should be safe.”
But if it wasn’t, Thomas would never forgive us—he loved Georgie—and I would never forgive myself.
We stopped in front of a lovely two-story home with a beautiful wrought-iron fence surrounding the garden. The window boxes were empty, but I imagined during the springtime they would be alive with bright flowers.
Nevan and Neil swung off their horses, but before I could, Lord Abnus came to my side and held out his hands for me. I flushed. I didn’t require aid in dismounting, but I wasn’t going to refuse him. I leaned toward him, hands on his shoulders, and allowed Lord Abnus to lift me off my horse.
Feet on the ground, I stared up at him and he looked down at me.
His fingers flexed on my waist, sending my pulse racing, and I gripped his shoulders tighter.
I wanted to close the distance between us, but we were in the middle of Elmbury and that wasn’t proper.
Besides, I didn’t know how Lord Abnus felt in regards to me, not truly.
That moment in the shed could’ve been nothing but fleeting lust.
Someone cleared their throat, and I leaped out of Lord Abnus’s hold. I expected it to be Nevan or Neil, but neither of my brothers was looking at me. Instead, Mrs. Quirke stood not far from me.
“Mr. Byrne,” she said by way of greeting.
My eyes darted around as a sudden weight of guilt pressed down in my stomach and rancid fear filled my mouth.
Only a second passed before I realized that Miss Quirke wasn’t present.
My relief, though, made the churning of my stomach return.
We were friends, her and I, and avoiding her made me a rather horrid person.
“Mrs. Quirke, how are you?”
“Perfectly well. Why haven’t you come to call upon us?”
“I’ve been quite busy.”
Her substantial arms crossed, highlighting the strength of her muscles. “Poor Kiera is bereft without you.”
My mouth opened, but no words came forth. I wasn’t marrying Miss Quirke. Well, as long as Mother and Father didn’t force me down the aisle, and I didn’t think they would. I knew Aidan would shield me, as much as I didn’t want to have to rely on him to protect me.
“I believe introductions are in order,” Lord Abnus said smoothly.
“My apologies, my lord,” I said with a bow. “Lord Abnus of the Night Court, may I present to you Mrs. Quirke?”
“How do you do?” Abnus said.
Mrs. Quirke’s cheeks swelled with color, and I fought a smile.
Lord Abnus, like all fae, was far too pretty to our human eyes.
She stammered and stuttered her reply before taking a deep breath.
The color receded, and she seemed to collect herself, standing taller and straighter than ever.
Not even the fae could put the orderly Mrs. Quirke out of sorts for long.
She had a strong constitution. I would give her that.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lord Abnus,” she said in a firm voice. “Miss Kiera Quirke is my daughter, and Mr. Byrne’s intended.”
“What?” Lord Abnus bit out, looking at me. I swore the temperature dropped and my skin felt frozen, though it was nothing compared to Mrs. Quirke, who outright shivered and muttered about the temperamental winters of Sídhetír.
“Nothing is decided, Mrs. Quirke,” I clarified, pulse elevating. Was Lord Abnus jealous? Did it make me a bad person to hope that he indeed was? “Aidan is now lord and married to Prince Cethin.”
Mrs. Quirke waved a hand as if that was a mere inconvenience. “Your esteemed mother and I have been talking, and she and your father would still like to press for an engagement. I see no reason why we wouldn’t. You’re a fine young man, Mr. Byrne, and Miss Quirke will make you an excellent wife.”
Lord Abnus’s fingers curled around my elbow and drew me closer as the air grew crisper and colder. “I believe Mr. Byrne is required at a meeting with his elder brothers.”
She blinked at his sudden words, but recovered quickly enough to reply, “Certainly, my lord. Mr. Byrne, do come to visit Miss Quirke. We should discuss the wedding plans, especially before you are off to school. Arrangements must be made.”
“There is no wedding,” I said helplessly, but Mrs. Quirke had moved off, elbows swinging in determination as she headed toward Vicar Giles and muttered about the man’s need for a scarf.
Lord Abnus continued to grip my elbow, and neither of us spoke nor turned around to enter Mr. Kelly’s house.
As the silence continued, I practically squirmed, feeling guilty for some reason, like I’d been disloyal to Lord Abnus, which was ridiculous.
Miss Quirke and I were nothing but friends, and Lord Abnus and I were much the same, if I ignored what happened in the hunting shed.
I had nothing to feel guilty for—not for Miss Quirke or what happened with James.
“We should go. Nevan and Neil must be tired of waiting for us,” I said.
His fingers tightened for a moment, then released me. “Certainly, Mr. Byrne.”