“It doesn’t have to be like this; I’m a changed man.” He held out his hand, as if she were foolish enough to believe him. Her skin prickled with unease, as it often did when they were alone together.
“You don’t deserve forgiveness.” Liane spat.
Malice carved his features as he raised a hand to strike her, and Liane brought out the letter opener, poised to strike. She faltered when she noticed Aristea walk in behind Heinrich.
“Heinrich—Oh, Liane, you’re here?” Aristea said, smile faltering.
All the animosity evaporated from him in an instant, as he turned to pounce upon Aristea. “Darling, I thought you were preparing for the luncheon.”
Aristea frowned as her blue eyes flicked from Liane to Heinrich. “I was... what’s going on?”
Liane set down the letter opener and walked over to link arms with Aristea in their usual companionable way.
“Nothing. We were having a talk,” Liane said.
“Liane cameto ask me where the luncheon was being held. She wants to join you,” Heinrich said, leering at her with a devilish smile. Perhaps he thought he’d caught her in a clever trap.
“Really? But, Liane, you hate luncheons. You said you’d rather have your nose hairs plucked out one by one,” Aristea said with an accusatory stare.
Liane couldn’t look Aristea in the eye, let alone come up with an adequate excuse to explain herself. “Heinrich has a child with another woman,” she wanted to scream, but as gratifying as it would be to expose his infidelity, it would only give Heinrich an opportunity to hide the mother and child until he made his move. Until she had proof, she’d have to bite her tongue and search in secret.
“Did I? I don’t recall,” Liane said lamely.
Aristea’s frown deepened. “Is something going on? You’re both acting strange.”
“Are you saying you don’t trust me?” Heinrich asked. On the opposite side of Aristea from Liane, he squeezed her shoulder.
Aristea’s posture slumped. “Of course, I trust you.”
“Well then, why don’t you and Liane run along and enjoy your luncheon.” He turned Aristea and Liane around, shooing them out the door.
As they walked away, she felt Heinrich’s stare burning a hole into the back of her head. Outside their apartment, and away from Heinrich’s oppressive presence, she tried to change the mood.
“Who’s going to be at this luncheon?” Liane asked.
“The usual court ladies,” Aristea replied, then with a sideways glance, she said. “Are you sure you want to come?”
“Definitely. I’m starving,” she lied. If enduring the idle gossip and chatter of court ladies would cheer up Aristea, she’d go. Besides, maybe amid their vapid chittering, she might glean information about Heinrich’s latest mistress.
When they arrived at the garden, a flutter of court ladies descended upon them like a flock of birds. They pulled Aristea out of Liane’s grip, and began lavishing her with praises, complimenting everything about her, from her hair to the embroidering upon her slippers. Little by little, the bright and animated Aristea returned as she greeted each lady in turn. With the ritual compliments and greetings finished, everyone took their seats, and Liane, a late addition to their party, was sandwiched between two middle-aged ladies. Duchess Hirsch and her hanger-on Lady Keisel.
“Wonderful to have you join us for lunch,” said Duchess Hirsch on Liane’s right.
“I thought we’d been visited by a forest spirit,” laughed Lady Keisel behind her fan.
“I hope Her light has shined upon you since last we met,” Liane said with a false smile.
“She blesses me in all things,” Duchess Hirsch said as she sipped her chilled wine.
“Blessed be Her light,” Lady Keisel said, making the shape of the star against her brow.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She hated these sorts of gatherings for three reasons: fake smiles, trite conversation, and gossip.
“I very much enjoyed your performance at the ball,” Duchess Hirsch said with a sideways glance at Liane.
“It was unexpected,” Lady Keisel said, sniggering.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Liane said, feigning ignorance.
