‘We’re back to “defender” now?’
‘Appropriate given the direction the conversation has taken.’
He leaned in, speaking through his teeth. ‘I’m going to ask you one more time if this is what you want. If it is, I’m done. It’ll fall upon your sister to cover up the bruises.’
She looked so crushed by his words that he became hopeful he might have actually gotten through. He was wrong.
Nodding thoughtfully, she said, ‘I think that’s for the best anyway. Any interference by you will only raise suspicions and cause problems for both of us. Better that we agree here and now to stay away from one another. You focus on your job, and I’ll focus on mine.’
He blinked, his chest tightening. ‘That’s your answer?’
She looked him straight in the eye. ‘I hope I was clear. Chadora can’t have a stuttering queen.’
He took a few calming breaths as he stepped back from her. ‘Loud and clear,my lady.’
Astin packed up his vile mood and rode to the farming borough to find his sister. Yes, he needed to speak to her, but he also needed a chance to clear his head before reporting for duty. He hoped the ride might reduce the probability of him breaking the king’s jaw.
As he turned off the road and headed towards the farmhouse, he glimpsed his sister out front with a man he did not recognise. He thought it might be Chadwick, but they stood too far apart to be lovers. Presley’s shoulders were rounded, her eyes downcast. The man’s voice carried all the way to Astin, his gestures too big.
The pair looked in his direction when he appeared. Then Presley straightened, and the man lowered his hands. Astin stared hard at him as he pulled his horse up and dismounted. Only when he was standing beside his sister did he look to her for an introduction.
‘Brother,’ Presley said. ‘You remember Chadwick.’ She looked between them. ‘And I’m sure you remember my brother, Astin.’
The men nodded, sizing one another up.
‘What are we discussing?’ Astin asked, eyes on Chadwick.
‘A private matter’ was the man’s reply.
That made it official. Astin did not like his sister’s soon-to-be husband.
‘Wedding things,’ Presley said, playing the peacekeeper. ‘Boring things.’
Astin’s gaze never left Chadwick. ‘I’d like a private word with my sister, please.’
‘We’re to be married,’ Chadwick replied, lifting that square chin of his. ‘We don’t have secrets.’
‘Well,I’mnot marrying you.’
Chadwick’s face hardened. He went to say something, but Presley beat him to it.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Chadwick looked between them, nodded, then went to fetch his horse, which was tethered in front of the house. Presley watched him mount and ride away while Astin watched her.
‘What is it with smart women marrying idiots?’ he said. ‘Of all the men in the borough…’
She turned to face him, arms crossed. ‘Is this about Chadwick orLadyLyndal? Because the look on your face when you arrived made it clear you weren’t here to make friends. You could have tried.’
‘I could hear him yelling at you from the road.’
She glanced in the direction of the house, where Rose was peering out of the window at them. Astin followed her gaze and waved at his youngest sister. The curtain immediately fell back into place.
‘The uniform has that effect on children,’ he said.
‘So does never visiting.’
His eyes returned to her. ‘Where’s Cooper?’
