Chapter 11
An Errant Escape
T am sat staring dazedly out at the courtyard, Mr. Howard at his side. Hannah had already left to resume her duties for the reception, and Eli waited back in the corridor out of earshot.
“Tamlin, I’d like to think we’ve become good friends throughout the years. You… you are diligent about your work, and we’ve always had good rapport together. So if you could—”
“How long?” Tam interrupted the assistant with a deceptively light tone.
“Now, Tam, there isn’t really a reason for me to share that with you.”
The young lord turned and stared.
Mr. Howard cleared his throat and looked away. “I don’t exactly keep track, but maybe a decade…?”
“A decade?”
“SSHH!” Mr. Howard hushed frantically while eyeing their surroundings worriedly. “Please, it is a private matter! I’m only telling you because you and I have done good work together over the years, and I know you tend to keep things to yourself!”
“Hannah’s like a sister to my father,” Tam reminded him weakly.
“I’m aware, but again, it isn’t. His. Business. We aren’t a couple. And we have no designs to get married, in case you’re wondering. This is simply an—an arrangement that works for us, given our chosen lifestyles!”
“You both think and do nothing but work?” Tam supplied while once again looking away.
“Yes. Exactly.”
Tam closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. “Mr. Howard, as you said, I do like to keep to myself, and I know I’m like my mother in that I tend to not cause… excitement in the way my father and sister do, but how can I not—”
“This is Hannah’s preference as much as my own, and I will expect you to respect us both.” Mr. Howard’s tone was firm, and there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes more severe than usual.
Tam closed his mouth and took in a deep breath through his nose. Then he opened his eyes again. “You’re right. Absolutely. And now that you are retiring, I suspect it won’t continue—Never mind. I don’t want to know.” Tam waved off the rest of his words despite it seeming as though Mr. Howard was going to say something on the matter. “I’ll have to tease you both, and if my teasing makes you reveal it yourselves I take no responsibility.”
The assistant narrowed his eyes. Then, after considering that it was a game of mental fortitude, decided he could handle the younger Ashowan’s antics. “I can accept that.”
Tam barely hid a smile before remembering the original purpose of seeking out the former king’s assistant. “Oh. Also… My new assistant over there? Accidentally insinuated to a couple of noblewomen that I’m cursed.”
“ What ? After all we went through assuring the coven that was not the case?” Mr. Howard burst out in a far more typical manner.
“Sh— He didn’t mean to. Eli has been in Troivack the past seven or eight years, and before that, Gods know where. He had no reason to know about Daxaria’s history with curses, so I’m thinking we stay on top of this and have a quick meeting with Louise Riddel before I depart for Xava so it isn’t a big deal.”
Mr. Howard let out a groan. “Here I thought I’d finally get to rest properly in the morning…”
“Sorry. But I have a feeling the king’s current assistant is already too deep in his cups to take on the task.”
Mr. Howard sighed, wordlessly accepting that Tam was correct. “See what you can do about informing Eli about the situation with the coven. I know he heard a bit during that meeting. Sorry that things aren’t looking to be going well with your inheriting the dukedom,” the assistant added sincerely.
Tam’s mood instantly darkened. “About that… Are they really going to refuse to permit Antony to inherit the throne if he is a witch?”
Mr. Howard’s expression turned stony, then sad. “It is being handled very carefully. I’m sure you know that your sister, Her Majesty, is not at all pleased with this. If it were up to her, she would say all manner of things to the coven before insisting Antony should inherit the throne, but I will confess… I can see it building a greater divide if witches not only have the powers of the Gods, but also rule the kingdom. It can breed a great deal of contempt and unrest.”
Tam considered this view. Mr. Howard was a cautious man, and he had lived through enough controversy to speak from experience.
“I understand. Though I think the boys need to start being told about what is going on.” Tam paused as a new idea struck him. “What if we introduce a vote? If the people of Daxaria are made aware of the situation, a vote could help gauge their feelings on the matter.”
“It’s a reasonable idea, though if I’m to be blunt, it would open up the monarchy to criticism and subject your nephews to a great deal of hardship.”
Tam’s frustration cracked under the heavy weight of reason.
The matter of a succession really was a headache to sort out…
“What do the covens of Lobahl and Zinfera believe?” Tam didn’t bother bringing up the Coven of Aguas in Troivack, as they tended to defer to Daxaria’s coven as a result of being heavily persecuted up until seven years ago when Queen Alina Devark started supporting them.
Mr. Howard’s eyebrows lifted. “Now, that is a wise idea. Perhaps the Giong Coven in Zinfera and the Ibida Coven in Lobahl have insight into this dilemma. Why don’t you discuss this idea with Louise Riddel tomorrow. You’ll be going to Zinfera regardless, so you may as well see if they have any texts or insight.” Mr. Howard’s work-centered mind visibly took over his thoughts as he continued. “You’ll have to wait until the end of your time in Zinfera to ask, so as to not alert anyone beforehand that you are there. After hearing from the Giong Coven, you can decide if you think it’s worthwhile to visit Lobahl as well.”
Tam unsuccessfully tried not to grimace at the idea of spending even more time away from the comforts of home. Then again, if it meant finding an answer for Antony, and solidifying his own position so he could offer his sister and her sons support, then perhaps an extra year abroad would be worth it.
“Would Lobahl even accept my visit? I think I’ve only ever met one nobleman who was welcomed into the kingdom. Though I suppose it’s more likely given that Lobahl has become more communicative in recent years…”
Mr. Howard leaned back and folded his arms as the evening chill started to find its way through his thick coat. “There is a chance that they will permit it, given that it pertains to the changing world and wanting to uphold the sanctity of the purpose of witches. Again, a question to ask Louise Riddel in the morning.”
Tam felt drained just thinking about all the work that would need to go into such an endeavor. He hadn’t even made it to the late-night snack time…
Pressing himself to his feet, Tam glanced back down at his father’s assistant and said, “You know… I can’t help but wonder how the knights that used to serve in the kitchen with Hannah would feel about your relationship. I mean… Captain Taylor may be getting on in years, but he’s still quite strong…”
Mr. Howard shrank down at the mere notion as Tam strode away.
The fact that the head of housekeeping was close friends with not only two dukes and the captain of Daxaria’s military, but also two knights with large families whose sons adored Hannah, was a sharp reminder that the assistant best be on his toes at all times. These close sibling-esque relationships made these men all incredibly sensitive to any possible harm that could befall Hannah, regardless of her age. And the notion that she was having such an intimate relationship with a man who not only was more powerful than her, but had no intentions of committing to her, would most likely warrant all kinds of strong reactions…
◆◆◆
Tam approached the coronation reception purposefully.
Eli fell into step beside him, her footfalls impressively silent.
“New plan, Eli. We’re getting out of here. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a glass of wine in my own chair in front of the fire with one of my books. You’re welcome to stay if you like, but—”
“I’ll have a cup of tea instead of wine, but I would like that a great deal.”
Tam shot a conspiratorial smile at her. “Great. Now… I didn’t want to have to go this route, but we’ll have to have a pretty drastic reason for leaving, so be prepared. Things are going to move quickly.”
“What is it you are going to do, my lord?” Eli asked, unable to hide the hesitation in her tone.
Tam faced the nearing glow of the banquet hall. “I’m going to call on my last resort.”
“My lord, are you certain that it is absolutely necessary? Surely in a few hours—”
“I know that what we just learned about Mr. Howard doesn’t mean the same thing to you as it does to me, but… my father is very protective. Especially of Hannah. And he has far too much fun tormenting the king’s assistant as it is. I’ll be honest—it’s beyond tempting to tell him, just to see what will happen. So I have to do two things.”
The pair stopped a short way in front of the doors. “The first? I have to make Hannah be the one to tell my father. The second? I need an excellent reason to leave after that news breaks.”
“I’m not sure I understand your plan, my lord. What even is your last resort…?”
Inside the packed banquet hall, everyone they laid eyes on save for the servants was absolutely knackered. “We don’t have much time,” Tam said.
Eli looked at Tam, confused, until she noticed he was staring straight ahead, and so she followed his eyeline…
To the three princes. Who somehow were standing together in a line, already nodding their understanding at their uncle when he jerked his chin upward.
Then, with the seriousness of soldiers marching to battle, they dispersed through the crowd.
Eli slowly turned back to Tam. “Do you know what they are going to do?”
At least the future duke had the decency to look grim when he answered with, “I don’t. That’s why they are a last resort. Whatever they do will be a success, but I never can ask how, or what. I just have to accept the consequences.” Tam then made his way through the crowd to a discreet corner of the room. Eli stuck close, unsure where they were going, given that she was not blessed with his height.
However, when they stopped in front of the duke and duchess, Eli was left once again baffled.
Finlay and Annika were dressed elegantly for the occasion, with Fin wearing a dark-emerald coat and black tunic, while his wife wore a black dress with silvery embroidery, and emerald jewelry draped over her chest and dangling from her earlobes. They appeared to be in the middle of a rather intimate conversation… as though the duke had just been about to kiss the wife he famously adored.
“Da, Mum, are you aware that the boys are still here?”
The duke and duchess pulled apart at the sound of their son’s voice, blinking themselves back to the present.
“Then why doesn’t a kind uncle put them to bed?” Annika countered, facing Tam with her chin and eyebrows lifted expectantly.
“You know it isn’t my place to say anything!” Tam was suddenly shouting the words, and Eli winced at his side, wondering just what in the Green Man’s antlers he was doing that for. An abrupt halting of movement drew her attention to the left, where she saw Hannah in the middle of loading up a steward’s tray with fresh goblets of wine.
She locked eyes with Eli, her face tensing before she hurriedly finished her task and then rushed over to Tam.
“While everyone is in here, Gods know what they are doing!” Tam shouted again, and both his father and mother frowned at his peculiar behavior.
Hannah reached them and placed herself directly in between. “Tam! Mind if we have a word?” she insisted with a strained smile.
“Sorry, Hannah, not right now. They need to hear this!”
“Tam, are you feeling alright…?” Fin’s hands found his hips as he eyed Hannah and his son with growing suspicion.
“I’m fine! But this needs to be dealt with sooner than later!”
“Tam! By the Gods—it isn’t your business who I bed!” Hannah snapped furiously, her eyes flashing.
Despite the music and revelry of the rest of the room, the five people present for Hannah’s outburst fell quiet.
“What does your romantic life have to do with our grandsons being put to bed?” Fin wondered dazedly from behind Hannah.
The head of housekeeping’s furious expression froze, then slowly thawed to pure bloodthirst when she realized how Tam had lured her into revealing her secret.
“You arse,” she bit out.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tam murmured back. “Though you have teased me quite often yourself. Remember, it was you who outed me about the office wall incident, and who was a key figure in spreading the rumor that I was in love with Queen Alina for a whole year . Everyone still thinks I pine for her.”
“They were going to figure out eventually that you did something to an entire wall!” Hannah could only defend the one point, as the latter was rather true…
“What is going on?” Annika demanded sharply from behind Hannah.
“Ah, Hannah was misunderstanding our discussion,” he explained with a shrug.
“What did you think Tam was talking about?” Fin’s blue eyes dropped to the back of Hannah’s head.
She cringed. “You don’t need to worry about it, Fin. I’m a grown woman and I can handle myself.”
Fin didn’t look away from Hannah, but he addressed his son. “Taaam? What did you see exactly?”
“I saw what I shouldn’t have! But I—” Tam was shouting again, and Eli was about to tell him to knock it off herself when Mr. Howard crashed into the discussion, seizing Tam’s shoulder.
“You bloody traitor!”
Annika’s jaw dropped.
Fin stared dumbly at the assistant, then back at Hannah.
“You… You two… Are…”
“For the record, Kevin, I wasn’t the one who outed you. You just couldn’t handle my teasing,” Tam informed the assistant lightly, who gulped.
Fin’s eyes practically crackled.
Hannah glared over her shoulder at Tam. “I’ll get you for this, Tammy. Mark my words.”
“Is something burning?” Eli spoke suddenly while wrinkling her nose.
Startled into remembering that she was there, everyone stared at Eli, and then the first shout echoed out.
“LORD TAM! YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE!”
Jolting in alarm, Tam whirled around, though in doing so the flames spread and one licked his neck, making him yelp.
In the next instant, a bucket’s worth of water doused him, putting him out entirely.
The room fell collectively silent, and once he’d wiped the water from his face, Tam looked down just in time to see his three nephews darting back into the fray.
The stench of burnt hair filled the room.
Once he had overcome the shock of being aflame and then drenched, Tam returned his attention to his parents. With a sigh, he said, “I told you they should be in bed. Now… I think I’m going to go home to treat this burn and see how much hair I still have left. Eli, shall we?”
Hannah, Mr. Howard, Fin, and Annika couldn’t bring themselves to speak as Tam made his way out of the reception, dripping wet, and wounded… but victorious.
They reached the front of the castle in record time, and sent for a carriage. Eli eventually managed to speak. “Are you… alright… my lord?”
Tam let out a breath as he examined his long black hair—more ash than hair at that point. “Fine for now, though I’ll be waking up one of the maids to cut my hair tonight when we get back. Sorry you have to wait for that cup of tea a little longer,” he added with genuine sentiment.
Eli studied her employer once more without bothering to pretend she wasn’t.
“Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Though it was painfully obvious I planned the whole thing, it was bold enough they couldn’t stop my leaving. I’m relatively certain Hannah is going to break one of my bones, though.”
“My lord, to be blunt, you are very weird.”
“I told you I was, didn’t I?”
“It’s much worse than you led me to believe.”
Tam chuckled. “Well… sorry. You’re stuck with a very strange person as your employer for a little while. Hopefully you won’t hold it against me.”
Eli didn’t respond, her true thoughts unknown.
So Tam allowed silence to take over. He had to confess to himself that in a strange way, another nice thing about Eli being his assistant was that Tam had someone who could be an accomplice to his occasional bout of mischievousness. In the past it had always been himself in a supporting role for his sister’s pranks and wild tendencies. Then she had gotten married and it hadn’t been the same.
This growing affection for his assistant meant his mother had been right about it being good for him having someone at his side…
Which Tam found a touch bloody annoying to admit.