I breathed in the cold air to steady my mind. How did I not know? It was the only answer that made any sense. I was such anidiotfor being surprised at all. My father would never have called me here to stay.
“Your playing was—”
“Wild and noisy. I know. I’m surprised my governess didn’t faint.”
“Liberating.”
I nodded my thanks, unsure if it was a compliment or not. His expression softened for one moment as his glade-green eyes measured me. The wind cried, and I wished to be back home at Granger House, riding a good horse at the base of my mountains in a place as green as the forests in his eyes.
A crisp chill touched my ankle. “Guardians be damned!” flew from me as I kneeled and fingered my torn skirt hem.
“It must have happened when those imbeciles were fighting over you,” Cedric said, and kneeled with me.
I wanted to scream.Nothingwas going to plan.
“My servant could retrieve a needle and thread to mend this,” he said, then looked up at me.
Holy Infernum. He was mesmerizing. Severe, dark-haired, and pale-faced, like he needed sunshine and laughter, but set in such exquisite contrast that it made my heart dance.
I could look at him for eternity.
“After, you could return to the feast.” His long, dark lashes fluttered as his eyes traced my skirt’s hem. Was he inviting me to his private chambers?
A clamor of voices and laughter broke through the night in the distance. It was the stout man who had been whispering at the queen’s side earlier with three ladies dressed in blaring colors.
“Oh, hello Lady Elowyn and …Sir Gyldford. What a surprise to see you out here,” he bubbled, then let out a hiccup. I hopped to my feet, and Cedric slowly rose at my side.
The ladies fell into hushed whispers.
Sir Gyldford bowed, and in two swift steps disappeared into the night, leaving me to the wolves.
“Hello,” I said with a tip of my head, waiting for the trio to curtsy and bow, as per my ranking. But none did.
“What has happened to your skirt, my lady?” the man drawled.
The women beside him chortled.
“I tore it while dancing,” I admitted.
“When you were dancing with Sir Gylford?” the blond woman cackled.
“Were you reliving yoursalacioussteps out here together?” the other woman cawed, sending them all erupting into laughter.
Vega hurried out of the feast.
“There you are, my lady,” she said in a sigh of relief. “Oh my, what has happened to your skirt?”
More laughter ensued as the small party glided past us.
“You should better monitor your ward, Vega.”
How did he know Vega’s name?
“She should not be out here dancing with men unaccompanied; it may look improper,” he said, smiling like a cat with a mouse in its paws. Then he vanished into the feast with the garish ladies.
Vega’s features hardened. “What is he talking about?”
“Sir Gyldford followed me when I left the feast and—”
