North grinned and clapped me on the arm. “No one does, mate.”
“Oh, fuck off,” I said without heat, turning to the door. “Literally. I have to pick up Sarah for the party tonight.”
“She’s coming here?” he asked as we left the room.
“Yes. Problem?”
“Of course not. I just wondered if I could tell Aria about her writing under S. M. Brodie. She was worried when Sarah suddenly quit the estate.”
It was clear from our conversation with Sloane Ironside and Monroe Adair the other day that Sarah had told them about her writing. “I don’t see why not. She’s telling other people now.”
He grinned. “Good. I’m looking forward to seeing you two together.”
“I’m never living this down, am I?”
“You once called me a brain-addled romantic and said that falling in love would end badly for me. Of course, I’m holding this over you.”
“I also, if you remember, was the one who advised you to give Aria your trust. And how did that work out?”
“So, what you’re saying is you’ve been a secret romantic this whole time?” North teased as he took the castle stairs.
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I guess we’ll see tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please do not watch over us like we’re the evening’s entertainment. Sarah hasn’t miraculously changed overnight. Though she’s growing in confidence, she doesn’t like being the center of attention. And I want her to enjoy this evening.”
North chuckled. “While it’s adorable you’re looking out for her feelings, Cavendish, you need to get real. You’re bringing Sarah to a celebrity Christmas party at the place of her former employment. People will be curious about this odd match of yours.”
I scowled at the phraseodd match. “Pish posh. Ninety-five percent of this elitist community are too busy drowning in their own bovarism to even know or care who I am.”
“What exactly is bovarism?”
“Sarah would know,” I told him haughtily.
North laughed. “Oh, man, you’ve got it bad.”
I didn’t disagree. Instead, as we reached the great hall, I told him, “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Wait. Theo.”
Turning to him, I raised an impatient eyebrow.
North looked remorseful. “I am sorry. I … I realize now that I was a shitty friend when you’ve been a good friend to me.”
Giving him a reassuring clap on the shoulder, I promised, “All’s forgiven. Let’s forget it.”
My friend nodded and I experienced a rush of relief. I’d been so busy with Sarah that I hadn’t realized just how much it bothered me to be in a bad place with North. I didn’t have a lot of genuine friends, and while I liked to pretend I didn’t need them, it wasn’t true. Having North in my life had been like having a brother I could count on again.
Goodness, I’d grown maudlin since finding Sarah. Shaking my head ruefully, I gave North a gentle shove and stalked away. “See you tonight.”
“Oh, aye, we will! Looking forward to it!” I heard the amusement in his voice.
With a beleaguered sigh at his nonsense, I hurried out of the castle, heading toward the mews where my rental was parked.
“So we discussed all that,”I called to Sarah as she got ready in my suite’s bathroom. I’d just relayed my meeting with North to her. “But I have to admit, I didn’t feel like discussing the murders. Perhaps I should have. I’m sure North is concerned he’s going to make the headlines again for all the wrong reasons.”
“There’s still time to do that,” she called back. “I’m sure North understands your reluctance to talk about it. But if it’s bothering you, just make it clear when you see him next that you’re there for him if he wants to talk about it.”
