Chapter 8 #2
“No need.” He gestures to his jacket with a smile that could charm a flower into blooming. “I ran into some wine. I’m told the laundry is the place for miracles.”
He shrugs off his jacket and holds it out to her. She accepts it, staring at him as if she cannot believe he is standing in her laundry.
I’m staring too. Without the jacket, his midnight silk shirt clings to his chest and the flat plane of his stomach. He rolls his sleeves back once, twice. I look at the ceiling. Then the basin. Then the lantern. At least that last one blots out some of my vision.
His earring swings as he leans against the counter. “Are they really keeping you down here by yourself tonight?”
“Oh no, my lord. There’s a temporary girl they brought on for the evening.”
“I’d like to meet the pair I’m trusting with my finest jacket.”
“Of course, my lord. Nella!” she shouts over her shoulder. “But don’t worry, I’ll handle this personally.”
A woman emerges from behind a rack of drying sheets. She isn’t what I would call a girl, broad-shouldered and a little gray at the temples, but maybe to the elder laundress she is. She takes one look at him and stops short, her mouth falling open.
“Oh. Oh, my lord, I didn’t realize…forgive me. I would have come out right away…”
“Nothing to forgive.” He offers the same easy smile he gave the laundress. “I hope you’ll both get to enjoy some of the party. It’s Somnus. You shouldn’t be stuck down here all night.”
The laundress lays his jacket out on a board, tugging the edge of the cuffs and sleeves to make sure every rumple is smoothed. “The staff is allowed to join the main party once their duties are done, my lord.”
“And do they join? In my experience, staff know where the real party is.”
She exchanges a glance with Nella, along with a small, conspiratorial smile. “There’s a terrace off the seaward garden where we play a little music. A bottle or two may have gone missing from the cellar.” She catches herself. “Not that I would know anything about that.”
“Ah, that does sound like the better party.” He laughs. “Your secret is safe with me.”
I was not invited to any gathering. But then, the staff has barely spoken to me since I arrived. I guess three weeks isn’t enough time for an invite. Although this temporary woman seems to have one.
He offers me his arm and guides me toward the exit. Even in the warmth of the laundry, his skin is cool to the touch.
We are only just back in the corridor when I catch him doing it again. A woman in a black robe passes us, and his gaze follows her face. I remember his eyes fixed on me while Norville gave his speech. At the time, I thought it meant something. Now I think I was just the next face in the rotation.
“You keep doing that,” I say.
“Doing what?”
“Staring at every woman who walks past.” I am not sure yet whether this newfound boldness is courage or recklessness, but I am getting used to the taste of it. “I don’t think you’ve let a single lady go un-ogled.”
I watch his expression, waiting to see if his smile falls or twists.
Instead, it grows.
“Ogled? Rich, considering you’ve been doing the same thing all night.”
“What?”
“Your eyes linger on every masked face we pass. Particularly the men.” One brow rises. “It’s enough to make any escort jealous.”
Caught. I want to defend myself, but I can’t tell him that I have a sharp eye out for a man I believe will murder me. I open my mouth to respond…
“My honored guest!” Lord Norville blocks the corridor in front of us, crowding out other partygoers as he swings his arms wide.
I blink and freeze.
My grip tightens on the cool arm under my hand, drawing my escort’s gaze. I arrange my face into a smile to hide my nerves. Norville won’t recognize me, I remind myself.
Sure enough, he doesn’t even glance my way.
“Lord Alaris!” Norville sweeps toward us, his robes rippling. “I was so thrilled to hear you joined us!”
Alaris. That’s his name. He’s not just some handsome stranger I bumped into at a party, where I wasn’t me and nothing mattered for one night. He is the Sovereign of Arastos. And he doesn’t know he’s linking arms with both Norville’s governess and the emperor’s daughter.
“Happy Somnus.” Norville claps the taller man’s shoulder. “I apologize for not greeting you earlier. I didn’t learn of your attendance until far too late!”
“Happy Somnus,” Alaris replies smoothly. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure in person. I’ve heard this is the best hidden gem on the Somnus circuit.”
Norville practically levitates. “You honor me, my lord. You honor me. I had no idea you were coming, or I would have—well, I would have done everything exactly the same, but with quite a bit more stress on the servants.” He laughs at his own joke, loud and delighted.
“I saw your family on stage earlier. Lovely. I would like to meet them.”
“Ah, the little ones are in bed by now, I’m afraid.” He gives an absent wave. “And Rodania has retired as well.”
“Tomorrow, then. I’m in one of your guest rooms for the night.”
“Of course, of course. Tomorrow. We’d be honored.” Norville turns to me. “Who do you have on your arm tonight?”
He takes my hand before I offer it. His lips press to my knuckles a beat longer than courtesy requires. His fingers are warm and damp.
I pull my hand away and attempt a smile.
Alaris’s arm slides around my waist and pulls me an inch closer. It’s good for my cover. It’s bad for my heart rate.
“But tonight, come join me at the gambling tables,” Norville says to Alaris. “The cards are treating me very well indeed.”
“I’m afraid I’m otherwise occupied.”
With his arm around me, the implication is clear. Norville’s grin widens.
“I see, I see. Well, I am not one to deny a man his pleasure. The table will be open all night, when you’re finished.” He claps Alaris on the shoulder once more, winks at me, and strides off down the corridor, his goblet sloshing.
I wait until he rounds the corner, then exhale and wipe my hand on my skirt. I fall in step as Alaris guides me away.
I am still processing the heat of Norville’s mouth on my knuckles when I realize we’re in the guest wing.
The laughter and music fade behind us, the rug plusher underfoot.
A woman stumbles out of a doorway ahead of us, adjusting her bodice.
A hand reaches out and pulls her back in. She laughs and disappears.
The stairs ahead lead up to the suites where the most important visitors sleep.
My eyes widen. Alaris just told Norville I was his evening plans, and we’re on our way to his rooms.