My father clears his throat, a knowing smile on his lips. “Things are going well, then, with you and the Lady Caterine?”
If by going well you mean the very thought of her is enough to consume me, then I suppose so.“They are going as well as they can. I will be ready when the time comes.”
“And you trust her enough to help you?”
“I do.”
And suddenly, even though I know this very well may be the last conversation I will have with my father, I long for nothing more than to be far from this room. I long to be with her, in her arms. Only she can bring me the calm and peace I need before undertaking this task.
“Go,” my father says, the knowing smile growing.
I turn to leave, but double back. Wrapping my arms around my father, my king, I wait until he hugs me back, knowing this will be our last embrace.
I force down the sadness and focus on the joy of it.
When he clears his throat and loosens his grip on me, I release him from the hug and leave him to his thoughts, heading directly for the front door.
I dressed casually for breakfast in a button-down shirt and vest, but I don’t bother changing before heading outside to my awaiting carriage. The driver doesn’t even need instructions.
There is only one place I could possibly go.
My dearest Harry,
I am writing to you with joyous news. I have come to be with child again, and something about this time is different, Harry, I just know it. This time we’re going to have our baby, and she is going to be perfect.
Please come visit soon.
All my love,
Grecia
My dearest love,
I wish I could say I am filled with nothing but joy at this happy news, but I am worried for you, my darling. It’s not just the restrictions that worry me, I know Scota is kinder to pregnant Gifted than most. But the midwife cautioned against any more pregnancies, told us one more loss might kill you. I can handle many tragedies, but losing you would be the death of me, Grecia.
Please be careful. I will come see you as soon as I am able.
All my love,
Harry
17
Cate
I linger in bedlong into the morning hours, waiting impatiently for Callum to come knocking at my door while at the same time dreading it.
Last night was the perfect opportunity for me to gather the information I needed from him. And I couldn’t do it. His emotions were there, thick as the lump that’s been permanently lodged in my chest. It would have been so easy to reach out and grab them, twist him into compliance. But I didn’t. I couldn’t, some invisible force keeping me from betraying him.
I still have nothing to bring to Lady MacVeigh and our time is running out. Today will be the last time I see Callum Reid before he has to kill his father. He still doesn’t know that I’m aware of his plan. It’s only the where and the how and the when still missing from the puzzle, information I should have gleaned from him by now. Information I’m not sure if I want to know.
Eventually I pull myself out of bed, dressing in simple day clothes. I need to see Harold, preferably without the shadow of hiswife hanging over us. I hesitate before slipping my sheath around my thigh, but running a thumb over the familiar etchings on the dagger brings me comfort. Normally I don’t feel the need to carry a weapon when the club is closed for business, but nothing about life here feels as it used to.
I approach the door to his office, holding back before knocking. I’ve been avoiding him all week, ever since my conversation with the princess. He’s not a stupid man, I know he knows what this means for my and Andra’s futures at the club. I just haven’t been able to face him, say the words out loud. But it’s time. I need to tell Harold that when this week is over, we’ll be leaving and never coming back.
And possibly even more than that, I need to know what he plans to do with the information I’ll be forced to gather tonight. And what are his plans for Callum in all of this? The rules state that no innocents may be harmed, but accidents happen, and I wouldn’t put anything past Lady M at this point.
I place my hand flat on the mahogany wood. It wasn’t long ago that I planned on spending the rest of my days at La Puissance. Couldn’t imagine ever finding a place where I felt safer, more at home. But this place is no longer safe.
