Thalia was about to tell Seraphine what she knew of Rosaline. Indeed, she wanted to, as she knew it would make Seraphine happy to hear. However, before she got the chance, she was aware of a shadow growing over her, and the way that Seraphine’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped told her without turning around who was the cause.
“Your Grace, I was wondering if I would see you here.” Lord Donmere’s voice was a low growl, anger resonating in every word spoken.
Thalia stiffened to hear him, and she shuddered to feel him so close. But she straightened up, fixed a smile on her face, and turned around. “Lord Donmere, it is good to see you again.”
“Is it?” he asked her coldly. “Somehow, I doubt that very much.”
“I was speaking generally,” Thalia said pleasantly. “I am glad to see that you allowed Seraphine to attend this evening.”
“And why would I not? She is my daughter, and this is her Season. What sort of father do you take me for?”
“I did not mean it as an offence.”
“Perhaps not, but I do not care how you meant it.” He looked past her to his daughter and cocked an eyebrow. “Seraphine, here.” He pointed to the floor beside him. “Now,” he growled.
Seraphine bowed her head and fell in beside her father.
“You have ruined one of my daughters already,” he sneered at Thalia. His voice was low, but that made little difference, because she could feel the anger rolling off him in waves. “Kindly refrain from ruining another.”
“I did not ruin anything.”
“You did,” he hissed. “I always knew you were a bad seed. A scourge on the ton that we would all be better off without. And were you not married to His Grace, then I would –”
“Would what?” a voice spoke from behind Lord Donmere.
Lord Donmere’s eyes widened and for the first time, Thalia saw fear in them.
“Would what?” Caspian appeared as if from a dream. He did not stride powerfully towards Lord Donmere, who now trembled. He did not stomp or leer. Nor did he appear angry, upset, or even put out. His expression was its usual dispassionate self which, Thalia realized, was what made it so effective.
“Your Grace!” Lord Donmere squawked. “I did not see you there.”
“I know you did not.” Caspian came to a stop short from Lord Donmere. Taller than the viscount, it allowed Caspian to look down his nose at the man. Again, he did not scowl or sneer. But there was no need. “If you had seen me, I am sure you would not have said such things to my wife.”
“I meant nothing by them.”
“Do not shame yourself by lying to me,” Caspian said simply; his gaze was as cold as ice, and his words cut like knives. “Admit what you did, be proud of it, and stand by your words because only cowards sing a new tune when the audience changes.”
“I… I was merely venting my frustration, Your Grace,” Lord Donmere stammered. “Surely, you can understand why I might wish to do so?”
“I understand that this room is suddenly feeling very crowded.” He let those words sit. “Perhaps if you removed yourself, it might not feel quite so much?”
“Yes,” Lord Donmere agreed pathetically. “I… Seraphine, come now. Let us…” He took her hand and pulled her away quickly.
Caspian watched him go. His expression was flat, even bored. And there was no sense to any who did not know him that he was upset. But Thalia watched him closely and, knowing her husband now as she did, she couldfeelthe fury bubbling away inside of him.
“I never liked that man,” Caspian said as he turned around. “And now I know why.”
“Thank you,” Thalia said, meaning it. “I… thank you.”
“There is no need.”
“There is,” she pressed.
“No, there is not.” He made sure to be looking right at her. “Say what you will of me, Thalia, but you are still my wife, and I will not have a man like Donmere thinking that he can speak to you like that. Not now, not ever. Is that understood?”
Thalia leaned back as if the force of his words made her do so. “I… I do.”
“Good,” he said. “Now, shall we…” He offered her his arm and Thalia linked it without thinking.
