CHAPTER FOURTEEN MANDATORY MEETING
TOWER CHAMBERS
CAMERE DIN TURN
brAN CASTLE
I’d been up before the sun deigned to rise, pacing in front of the fireplace in my chambers.
My velvet skirts were a deep blue to match my plummeting mood.
I wasn’t sure if Ileana would come for breakfast, and the idea of losing an acquaintance I’d only just made had me changing gloves a second time.
I walked one way, then the next, my skirts rustling in their own annoyance.
Last night I’d fallen asleep with a thousand ways to apologize for my intrusion when I saw them both again.
This morning none of them seemed right. I covered my face and made myself breathe.
Liza would have known precisely what to do had she been in my place.
She had a gift for social situations—and for being a good friend.
I forced myself to sit, trying not to flick my attention to the clock with each passing second that ticked away.
Dawn would break soon. And with it judgment on my curiosity would be delivered.
Perhaps now I’d finally be broken of that wretched affliction.
A confident knock came a few moments later, my heart clamoring in response as I raced across the room and flung the door wide.
I slumped back, heaving a sigh. “Oh, hello.”
“Not necessarily the reaction I was hoping for, Wadsworth.” Thomas glanced down at his dark jacket and trousers, both fitted in all the right ways. His striped waistcoat was also quite fashionable. “Perhaps I should have gone with the gray suit instead. I do look rather scrumptious in that.”
I peered into the corridor, half hoping that Daciana would be lurking behind him, readying herself for a verbal attack regarding my curiosity.
I sighed again. The hall was empty aside from Thomas.
I finally dragged my attention back to him.
“To what do I owe the honor of your presence this early in the morning?”
Without being invited, he swept into my chambers and nodded at the space. “Cozy. Much better than the image in my head of tower chambers and fair maidens in need of… well, you’re not one in need of rescuing, but I’d say you could do with some entertainment.”
He sat on the settee, crossing one long leg over the other.
“My sister informed me of the adventure you all had last night.” He grinned as the color rushed to my face. “Don’t worry. She’ll be up in a moment. I didn’t want to miss the fun this morning. I’m having Turkish coffee sent up.”
“I’ve never felt more wretched in all my life. Does she hate me?”
Thomas had the audacity to chuckle. “On the contrary. She adores you. Said you’d turned nearly each shade of crimson and adopted a wonderful stutter.
” His light tone vanished, replaced by something fierce.
Here was a role I’d not seen him in—protective brother.
“Most would have looked at them as if they were wrong for acting on their love. False, naturally. Society at large is staggeringly obtuse. If one simply looks to others for their opinions, they lose the ability to think critically for themselves. Progress would never be made if everyone appeared and thought and loved in the same manner.”
“Who are you, and where is the socially awkward Mr. Cresswell?” I’d never been more proud of my friend for his determination to verbally admonish society’s faults.
“I do get rather passionate about such matters,” Thomas said, a bit of levity back in his voice.
“I suppose I’ve grown weary of a select few governing all.
Rules are restrictions given by other privileged men.
I enjoy making up my own mind. Everyone ought to have the same human right.
Plus”—he flashed a devilish grin at me—“it drives my father absolutely mad when I speak in that manner. Shakes up his rigid beliefs in a delightful way. He’s yet to accept that the future will be run by those who believe as we do. ”
Another knock came at the door. Somehow I managed to open it without fainting from nerves. Daciana looked tentatively at me, then nodded to her brother. “Bun? diminea?a. How did everyone sleep? Anything exciting happen?”
She gave me a playful smile, and the tension knotted in my chest loosened.
“Truly, I cannot apologize enough,” I said in a rush. “I’d heard noises and thought… I don’t know, I worried someone was… under attack.”
Thomas barked out a laugh. I raised a brow as he nearly fell off his seat. I’d never witnessed such a bout of emotion from him before. Daciana simply rolled her eyes. He was nearly hoarse by the time he composed himself enough to speak.
If his sincere laughter hadn’t been so entrancing, I would have jabbed him with my finger. He was certainly lighter here, more relaxed with himself and less guarded, than he was in London. I couldn’t deny being intrigued by this side of him.
“I wish I could capture the look on your face, Wadsworth. It’s the most endearing shade of red I’ve ever seen.” When I thought he’d collected himself, he chuckled again. “Under attack indeed. Seems you have a bit of work to do on your wooing, Daci.”
“Oh, stuff it, Thomas.” Daciana turned to me.
“Ileana and I have known each other for quite some time. When she learned of Thomas attending the academy, she applied for a position. It was a convenient way for us to see each other. I’m sorry for having scared you.
It must have been awful, thinking something sinister was occurring in the morgue. Especially after the Ripper murders.”
A lovely expression lit her face, and I marveled at the pang of envy that it stirred within my cells.
I wanted someone to have such a look of utter longing while thinking of me.
I took a deep breath and composed myself.
Not someone. Thomas. I wanted him. I dared not glance in his direction for fear of those wanton emotions showing.
“I suppose we got a bit carried away last night,” Daciana said.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had an entire evening alone.
It’s just… I adore her in every possible way.
Have you ever looked upon someone and felt a spark within your core?
She makes me want to accomplish grand things.
That’s the beauty of love, though, isn’t it?
It brings out the very best within yourself. ”
I thought on that last part for a moment. While I fully agreed that she and Ileana were exquisite together, I also felt impressive feats could be accomplished if one chose to remain unattached. The proximity of a romantic partner should neither impede nor facilitate inner growth.
“I do agree that love is wonderful,” I began slowly, not wanting to offend, “but there’s also a certain magic in being perfectly content with one’s own company. I believe greatness lies within. And is ours to harness or unleash at will.”
Daciana’s eyes glinted with approval. “Indeed.”
“While we could chatter on endlessly about love,” Thomas said in a faux huff, “your midnight tryst is making me quite jealous.”
A third knock interrupted Thomas before he could say anything inappropriate. He stood, a serious countenance falling over him as if he’d flipped a cooling switch. Though his sister was here, it would still be frowned upon that we were without a chaperone.
I swallowed my fear down and called out, “Yes?”
“Bun? diminea?a, mis—Audrey,” Ileana said, cheeks flushing slightly. “I—”
“Good morning to you, Ileana,” Thomas said from beside me. “I didn’t know you worked here until my sister showed up, all doe-eyed and excited. I should have known she wasn’t here to bless me with her sparkling personality.”
To my utter amazement, Ileana cracked a genuine grin. “It’s good to see you, too.” The smile quickly faded. “You’re both needed downstairs immediately. Mandatory meeting. Moldoveanu is in some sort of mood. You shouldn’t be late.”
“Hmm,” Thomas said. “This ought to be interesting. I was under the impression that he’s permanently in some sort of mood.”
Daciana dropped onto the settee, propping her silk-covered feet up on the low table. “Sounds lovely. Do give my regards to him. If you need me, I’ll be here, sprawled by the fire.”
Thomas rolled his eyes. “You’re like a house cat. Always napping in patches of sunshine or lounging before a fire.” A mischievous slant to his lips had me shaking my head before he opened his mouth again. “Please refrain from relieving yourself on the furniture.”
Thomas ushered me and Ileana out before Daciana could respond, and I tried hard to not laugh at all the foul things she was shouting in Romanian at the closed door.
By the time Thomas and I entered the dining hall, Anastasia had already wedged herself between Nicolae and the large brute, Andrei.
I raised my brows at her choice of attending this meeting with her uncle.
It was a bold maneuver. Clearly she wasn’t going to permit Moldoveanu an opportunity to shut her out of the castle’s intrigue.
I imagined being stuck in her chambers every day would be unbearably boring.
As had been the case yesterday, the tables were filled with the same pairings.
I realized I didn’t know anyone else’s name and resolved to introduce myself by the evening.
The boy with red curls sat with the boy with the dark skin.
The Italian brothers were hunched together, studying.
And Thomas and I were momentarily unsure where to situate ourselves.
Undeterred by the sidelong glances Andrei slid her way, Anastasia excitedly motioned for us to come sit with them.
Nicolae lifted his attention from his plate, glaring in our general direction halfheartedly.
Thomas ignored him and focused on me. Sitting with the prince appeared as if it were the furthest thing from what he wanted to do, but he was leaving that decision up to me.
It was a peace offering after his insistence yesterday that we return to London, and I appreciated the gesture.
While I didn’t relish the idea of becoming best friends with Nicolae, I didn’t want to remain enemies either. If Anastasia had the fortitude to incorporate herself into the group against her uncle’s wishes, I could follow her lead.
Nicolae picked at a meat pastry, pulling it apart and pushing the pieces around his plate. He never once took a bite. A bit of me softened. Losing a loved one wasn’t easy and often brought out qualities we weren’t proud of.
Anger was a wall to hide grief behind. I knew that firsthand.
I marched directly to their table and sat. “Good morning.”
“Bun? diminea?a,” Anastasia said, cheerful voice echoing in the mostly empty room. Her dress was a bright crimson, another statement. One carefully crafted for maximum effect. She turned to Thomas, running her gaze over him swiftly. “You must be the handsome traveling companion.”
Thomas slid into the chair beside me, expression bland. “With Audrey Rose, I like thinking of myself more along the lines of ‘handsome life companion.’”
My face burned at his proprietary use of my Christian name, but no one else seemed to notice.
Andrei snorted, then quickly chomped down on any more laughter as his gaze took in the empty seat next to Nicolae.
While Anastasia chattered on with Thomas in Romanian, I subtly watched Andrei, wondering how close he’d been with Wilhelm.
Dark circles marred his face, leaving me to imagine he’d taken the news as hard as the prince had.
This could not be easy for them, sitting here when they’d rather mourn properly.
I hoped the headmaster was going to deliver news of delaying our coursework. Perhaps he’d cancel the winter term and invite us back next season. A small bit of me sank at the thought. Nicolae kept pinching his pastry into pieces, his gaze set somewhere inward and far away.
I wanted to reach over and say something comforting, something to maybe help heal myself as well, but Moldoveanu entered the dining hall and silence fell. Even Andrei shifted in his seat, a bead or two of perspiration dotting his broad brow.
Moldoveanu wasted little time on pleasantries.
He began speaking in Romanian, slow enough for me to pick up much of what he was relaying.
Classes were to begin immediately. We’d be taught in English, since it was a common language for all countries present, but lessons would also include sections in Romanian for those who weren’t fluent yet.
“Your first lesson will be with Professor Radu,” he continued in English.
“Basic knowledge of folklore helps when investigating a scene in villages, where superstition may override logic and scientific sensibility.” He glanced at each of us, and I was surprised to see that his disdain was directed at the entire group.
As if we were all wasting his precious time.
“Due to the unfortunate passing of your classmate, I’ve decided to invite another student in his place. He will be arriving today.”
A clock chimed the hour, loud enough to force the headmaster to press his lips together.
I stole a glance at Nicolae, his jaw clenched tight.
I could not fathom being in his place, listening as the headmaster cast off his cousin’s death so easily.
It seemed highly callous to invite a new student so cavalierly, as if Wilhelm had simply run off and decided against trying out.
Once the chimes stopped, Moldoveanu met each of our gazes.
“I suspect some of you may be… distracted by the events of yesterday, and I understand. Loss isn’t taken lightly.
We will have a vigil at sundown to honor Wilhelm.
Professor Radu will provide more details.
Immediately following his class, you are to report to your first postmortem laboratory.
An anatomy lesson instructed by myself will follow that. You are dismissed.”
Without offering another word, the headmaster exited the room, his shoes clapping against the floor and his footsteps fading away down the corridor.