“Because you’d give away all his secrets?”
“Exactly. I’m far too chatty for his liking,” he said, “He prefers his mystique. I ruin it simply by existing.”
“I quite like the idea of ruining his mystique,” Penelope laughed, unable to help herself.
“I suspected you might. We will get along swimmingly, in that case,” Oliver said, “But truthfully, he’s always been private about the people he cares for. He doesn’t like the idea of them becoming someone else’s business.”
“That sounds just like him,” she murmured, thinking about Odette. Though it occurred to her then that he was the same way about her. Could that mean that he had grown to care about her? She looked over at Isadora, who was smiling knowingly.
A sister’s intuition, as she had put it.
What do they even have to speak about?
Across the room, Alexander’s gaze was fixed in the direction of his wife. The conversation around him droned on, but none of it reached him. His fingers curled tightly around the stem of his glass, the pressure so great he was half-certain it might crack under his grip.
Penelope was laughing at something Oliver had said.Something idiotic, in all likelihood,he thought to himself.
It burned him. An annoying, gnawing sensation that he could not place but could not ignore either.
Of course, he told himself it was not jealousy. Foolish possessiveness was an affliction that young boys had, and he wasfar from it… No, he was merely being vigilant. Watching to see if she was safe. And ensuring Oliver did not forget himself.
Alexander’s jaw tightened further as she laughed again.
“Your Grace,” A lord interrupted him softly. “I was wondering…”
“Not now,” Alexander didn’t move his gaze.
“Well, I was only…”
“I said not now,” he cut in, waving the man off with a flick of his hand. He had no time for idle conversation. The lord left, offended.
Alexander did not want to admit to himself that what he felt was jealousy, but it was dangerously close, whatever it was. He could not stand just watching anymore, and decided to stride towards them.
Let's see what it is that is so important they have to speak about.
Alexander set down his glass to the side and made his way across the ballroom. He could feel the weight of eyes as he passed, but he gave them nothing in return. His focus was fixed only on Penelope, who stood near the wall, her figure half-turned toward Oliver.
“Penelope,” he said in a low voice once he reached them.
“Your Grace,” she said at once, smiling as she saw him. “I was wondering where you had gone off to.”
“I need a word.” He extended his arm. He decided to offer her no other explanation. He could see the surprise forming on her face.
“At this very moment?” she asked, looking between Oliver and him. That only made him more annoyed.She should only be looking at me.
Oliver took this moment to cut in, grinning widely. “Not even a greeting, Alexander? Aren’t you going to stay and chat with me? We haven’t even spoken yet.”
Alexander barely looked at him.
“Forgive the interruption,” he said curtly. “I’ll be stealing my wife.”
“Oh, you don’t have to be so dramatic and call it stealing. You could simply sayplease, you know,” Oliver replied.
Alexander didn’t respond. He silently waited until Penelope placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Something about his expression conveyed to both of them that he was in no mood for jest. Or conversation.
“Good,” he muttered under his breath as he gently guided Penelope away towards the balcony. He could hear Oliver laughing as he took her away.
He did not stop walking until they reached the balcony, which was empty, thankfully. All of the guests were situated indoors.
