Chapter 9
NINE
I pause in the doorway of Lord Fallmartin's study, not really sure if I'm brave enough to go inside. I know I need to, but it almost feels as if this meeting is important on a level I don't really understand.
"Come in, Beatrice," he calls.
I take a deep breath and step inside.
To my surprise, a tea tray has been laid out on his desk, along with several stacks of paper.
"Have a seat. Do you like tea?"
"Erm, yes." I sit down and smooth out my skirt while he pours me some, setting the cup down in front of me.
It's strange to have him do something so casual like that in front of me.
Probably because the two of us have spent no time together since I arrived at the castle.
I've been thinking of him in terms of someone who has power over me as the head of House Rothorne, but I realise I actually know very little about him other than what happened on the first day.
My words to Linc ring through my head. I do still wish he hadn't sold me off, even if the person I'm marrying is one I would choose for myself, but Lord Fallmartin has never actually been cruel to me. And that's something I should remember.
"We should start simple," he says.
"Oh?"
"Are there any members of the current household staff you wish to take with you when you move to the royal apartments?" he asks. "Your lady's maid, perhaps?"
"I suppose it's out of the question to suggest that I choose my own lady's maid who doesn't report to you," I respond.
Lord Fallmartin gives me a curious look, perhaps he didn't think I'd work out why he'd want to keep Jemima in her position. "Better that she reports to me than to one of your enemies."
"I don't think I have any."
"Perhaps not now," he agrees. "But that will change. You're taking on a position of power, you'll make enemies just by breathing."
"Perhaps you'll make an enemy by putting me there," I mutter.
To my surprise, he laughs. "None that I can't handle. And none that you should worry yourself about."
"I'm the one who is going to be put in a position where people can kill me," I point out.
"True. But you'll also be joining House Soveguine. You'll likely be assigned your own bodyguard, or you'll be protected by Prince Lincoln's."
"Eric," I say.
"Who?"
"That's Prince Lincoln's bodyguard."
He gives me a shrewd look. "Just how much time have you been spending with the Prince?"
For a moment, I consider denying that we've spent much time together, but I suppose there isn't really any point. "We've spent time together most days since I arrived," I answer honestly.
He raises an eyebrow. "And what do you do together?"
A flush comes to my cheeks as I think about the kisses we've shared, and the reaction I have to them. I touch my tongue to my teeth to make sure my fangs haven't descended just at the memories, but everything is normal. "We haven't taken...liberties, if that's what you mean."
"No, Beatrice, it is not. No one will care if you've taken liberties with one another, even if you weren't to be married.
I'm merely curious. The King was reasonably cautious about approving your match, but Prince Marcus swayed him by pointing out the changes in Prince Lincoln.
So I suppose I'm merely curious about what you did that caused that. "
"I didn't really do much, I don't think.
" Other than give him a ribbon to help him avoid drinking too much wine.
But that's something I plan on no one finding out.
Not because I don't want them to know, but because it doesn't feel fair to Linc to tell people.
"He's helped me learn to read better, and has been teaching me some of the history of the castle and the Houses. "
"Interesting." Lord Fallmartin leans back in his seat.
"Is it?"
"I wasn't aware that Prince Lincoln had an interest in such things."
"He does." I don't see any harm in admitting to it, especially when the alternative is to tell Lord Fallmartin about some of the other things we've talked about, and I'd much rather they remained private.
There's a calculating expression on Lord Fallmartin's face. "I see."
"Is it important that he does?"
"He's a member of the royal family," Lord Fallmartin points out. "And if anything were to happen to Prince Marcus, he would be the heir to the throne. So yes, I believe his interest in history and politics are of note."
"Oh." I hope I haven't made things more difficult for him by revealing them. "You don't plan for something to happen to Marcus, do you?" I'm not sure what makes me ask.
"I wouldn't threaten a member of the royal family," he says.
"But I plan for every eventuality. Remember that this betrothal is not a kindness to you, Beatrice, even if it has the advantage of being that.
I went forward with this because it puts you in a strong position, and therefore House Rothorne in a strong position. "
I nod and look down at my tea.
Lord Fallmartin clears his throat. "I would much rather work with you on this than have you against me, Beatrice."
I look up, my surprise no doubt written all over my face. "With me?"
He nods. "Perhaps I dismissed you at first, and I will admit that I wasn't thrilled when your brother insisted that I had to bring you to the castle along with him, but it's clear that you're intelligent and capable of learning how court works. It doesn't hurt that you've caught a prince either."
"I wasn't trying to," I murmur.
"It doesn't matter, you can only do it once, anyway," he points out.
I pick up my tea and take a sip, mostly because I don't know what to do with myself otherwise. This isn't how I expected the conversation, or any interaction with Lord Fallmartin, to go.
"Now, your ladies-in-waiting," he says. "I have a few suggestions." He picks up a sheet of paper and holds it out to me.
"Thank you." I take it from him and look over the list of names, realising just how many there are on the list. "Do I really need this many people around me?"
"No. You'll extend an invitation to half a dozen or so. The others are there for your consideration. There's plenty of time to decide. The King has decided that your wedding will be part of the New Year celebrations."
"That's two months away," I say.
Lord Fallmartin nods.
"That's more time than I expected."
"It's a royal wedding," he responds. "That takes more time.
Your betrothal will be announced at the All Hallow's Ball next week, and you're to be seen with Prince Lincoln at all of the official events afterwards, including your brother's wedding.
Though I don't suspect that will be an issue, will it? "
I shake my head.
He looks somewhat relieved, and I have to wonder whether it has to do with how much he's been having to coerce Bastian into actually interacting with Lady Ermentrude. I don't dare ask.
"Who would you suggest I start with as my first lady-in-waiting?" I don't know what it is that makes me ask, perhaps it's because I realise I have no idea where to begin otherwise.
"What about Hexamble's daughter?" Lord Fallmartin suggests. "Isn't she a friend of yours? Perhaps that's a good place to start."
"I wasn't aware I had much of a say in the matter.
" Even if he is the one who invited me here to talk about the subject.
I kind of assumed he'd just give me a list and I'd have to go with it, especially as that's more or less what he's done with my marriage to Linc.
I'm not naive enough to think that he's done it for me, especially because he keeps reminding me of as much.
"You should be surrounded by people you trust, Beatrice," he says. "If that includes your friend, then you should extend an invitation to her."
"And that doesn't go against the interests of House Rothorne?" I ask, mostly while wondering if there's any part of my life that Lord Fallmartin isn't already aware of.
"We have no affiliations with House Hexamble.
They're not a particularly affluent House, but they are old, and that means they hold sway with many of the others.
If anything, extending the invitation will be a good thing for House Rothorne.
We want them to feel like they owe us for their elevation. "
"I see."
"Mmm." He watches me with a strange expression again.
"Am I doing something wrong?" I ask. "Committing some misstep that I don't know about?"
"Not at all," he responds. "You're doing admirably. I suppose I was expecting more resistance from you regarding this."
I take a deep breath and consider how much I want to admit to him.
I suppose it's better to be honest. Maybe he'll go back to using me, but I don't think so.
Everything he's said to me today has suggested he'd much rather I was aware of the game he's playing.
At best, it means I'll help him, and at worst it means I won't get in the way.
I can see the appeal of that if I were in Lord Fallmartin's shoes.
"I arrived at court barely two months ago.
" I resist the urge to point out my failings when it comes to knowledge of court life.
It isn't my fault I wasn't aware of any of this, if anything, it's his.
"I'm trying everything I can to learn, but I don't know enough about any of the Houses to make a judgement call on ladies-in-waiting without input from people who know more than I do. "
He raises an eyebrow. "But you'll be consulting with the Prince before you extend any of the invitations."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to," he responds. "It's what I would do in your position."
A small shock goes through me. Is that what his odd looks are about?
Does he see something in the way I'm adapting to court that reminds him of himself?
It's strange to think of the man in front of me as a newly arrived dhampir with no experience of any of this.
I suppose I've been assuming that Lord Fallmartin responded much like Bastian did to his change in status, but maybe that isn't true.
"Whatever your decision, I think Lady Emilia is a good choice," Lord Fallmartin says.
"She's not from a high enough ranking House that she'll use her position for her own gain, or no more than anyone would.
But she's not a low enough House for it to be an insult to anyone that you're offering her a position.
If you enjoy her company, then that is good.
You don't want to be bored out of your mind while with your ladies. "
I nod. "Who else?" I ask.
"Bella," he says.
"Even though she's married?"
"That doesn't matter," he responds. "It's good for you to have a member of the family with you."
"So that one is in House Rothorne's interest."
"Always," he responds. "But it's also in yours. You might be joining House Soveguine, but you'll still be affiliated with House Rothorne. And if anything should happen to Prince Lincoln..."
"You won't do that, will you?" I tighten my fingers in the fabric of my dress while I wait for his response, dreading it.
Surprise crosses his face. "No."
It's a much harder denial than when it came to Marcus. "Oh."
"What do I have to gain from anything happening to Prince Lincoln?
You would return to House Rothorne and would be eligible to marry again, but there is no better match for you than a prince.
I'm a practical man, Beatrice. This is the best marriage available to you, and to our House.
I will do everything I can to ensure that it continues unhindered. "
Relief travels through me along with the realisation that I believe him.
"As for the others, I suggest that you study over the list and speak with some of them over the next few weeks. If you particularly dislike any of them, then we can remove them from the running."
"Oh. Yes." I look down at the piece of paper, trying to work out how I feel about all of this. It's surreal to think I'm actually getting a say in it, especially as I feel like I've had such little control over everything else since I got here.
"Now, unless you have any questions, I should get to my other work," he says.
"No, I don't." I get to my feet, pausing for a moment. "Thank you."
He raises an eyebrow.
I clear my throat. "For not just choosing for me."
"I truly would rather work with you than against you, Beatrice," he says. "Even if it might have felt like that isn't the case."
I nod and make my way out of the room, my thoughts not standing still for a moment as I consider the situation I've found myself in, and whether I believe everything he's saying or not.