Thomas’s face twitched.
‘Fletcher,’ the queen mother said, clicking her fingers. ‘Would you see Lady Lyndal to her quarters? She is tired and in need of a good night’s sleep. I shall have some food sent up.’
‘Excellent suggestion,’ Borin agreed.
Lyndal rose on unsteady legs. ‘Let’s hope no one sets the room alight.’
Astin did not get there quick enough to stop that one. Taking hold of her arm, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, ‘Bid the king and his guests goodnight.’
‘Have a wonderful dinner, everyone,’ she said, falling into a leaning curtsy. ‘That chicken will be fine in a soup. Heat it low and slow.’
Borin narrowed his eyes. ‘Are you drunk?’
Fayre gestured for Astin to take her away while Lady Henley and Lord Wilfred looked on with disapproving expressions. Lyndal reached for the jar of wine on the table when Astin turned her.
‘Absolutely not,’ he growled, steering her sharply away from the table.
Thomas glared after her while Victoria stared down at her plate.
Astin was forced to keep hold of her as he guided her across the room and out of the hall. Thankfully, she waited until they were out in the corridor before tripping over her own feet.
‘Well, that went about as well as I was expecting.’
Lyndal pulled out of his grip, almost falling over in the process. ‘See? I didn’t say a word about the cattle or your sister.’
Astin walked at her side, ready to catch her. ‘Yes. Well done, you, for the two things you didn’t say during your verbal spewing.’
‘It wasn’tthatbad.’
‘You may feel differently tomorrow.’
When she tripped again, he caught her arm, and she did not pull free this time.
‘Where do you suppose he’s hiding the rest of the cattle?’ she asked. ‘And how does one hide animals that size? Someone knows where they are.’
Astin drew a breath. ‘I’m not talking about this now.’
‘Should we see if there are any stars visible tonight?’ she asked, already moving on.
‘Queen Fayre told me to take you to your rooms, so I’m taking you to your rooms.’
She pouted at him, and it was oddly adorable.
‘But I’m not tired.’
He dragged her forwards. ‘Give the wine a chance to do its job. You only finished guzzling it a minute ago.’
Only when they were standing outside her bedchamber door did he let go of her. She leaned against the frame, staring at up him with an expression bordering on adoration. He was immediately wary.
‘Do I dare ask what’s going on in that mind of yours?’ he asked.
A slow smile spread across her face. ‘I was just recalling our earlier conversation. Youseeme.’
He looked off down the corridor, ignoring the change in his pulse. ‘Food should be here soon. Can you get yourself inside?’
She tilted her head. ‘The real question is can I get myself out of this dress?’
His eyes returned to her. ‘Stop. You have enough to regret in the morning.’
