He tucked the parchment inside his cloak, feeling Astin’s eyes on him. ‘I’ll bring you his reply.’
‘Be sure to tell him I’ll happily accept grain in place of patronising words.’
He noted the humour in her eyes. Pretty eyes too. ‘Next time ask for me at the gate.’
She looked genuinely confused. ‘Why?’
‘Because I’ll make sure the letter gets through.’
She stared at him a moment. ‘And why would you do that?’
An excellent question. ‘To prevent you starting an uprising.’
Her eyebrows rose. ‘Was that… was that a joke?’
He did not reply, just gathered the reins in preparation for departure.
Blake stepped back from the horse. ‘Thank you.’
‘Just following orders.’ He had not meant that to sound so cold.
She nodded, then turned and walked off. He watched her all the way to the shop door. When he finally looked away, he found Astin smirking.
Harlan glared. ‘What?’
Astin glanced in the prince’s direction before replying. ‘Is thatthegirl you broke the line for?’
Harlan’s mouth flattened into a line. ‘Focus on your job, would you? These women carry knives beneath their skirts.’
‘I get it now. A pretty thing like that throwing herself at your mercy.’
‘She didn’t throw herself at anything.’
Astin’s grin widened. ‘So defensive.’
Blake’s sister finally moved aside, and the prince nudged his horse into a walk.
‘You’re lucky you’re on duty,’ Harlan whispered to his friend, ‘or I’d knock you from the saddle.’
Astin laughed silently.
Chapter 7
Lord Thomas showed Harlan to the library, then sat across from him to read the letter. Harlan stared at the elaborate collection of books covering one wall while Thomas learned of his nephew’s death. The commander wished he had waited outside to give him some privacy.
He need not have worried.
‘That is all I need,’ Thomas said, dropping the letter on the desk with a loud sigh. ‘Another business to manage. More mouths to feed. Do you know if the shop is presently turning a profit?’
Harlan shifted in his chair. ‘I’m not acquainted with the family. Prince Borin asked me to deliver the letter.’
That made Thomas sit up. ‘Theprinceasked you?’ He leaned forwards. ‘What does His Highness have to do with all this?’
‘One of your nieces spoke directly to him on the matter.’
‘That would be Lyndal.’ He leaned back again. ‘The prettiest of the sisters, for sure. I shall have no problem finding her a husband. The eldest, on the other hand…’ He shook his head. ‘Perhaps if I can muzzle her for long enough.’
Harlan was not a fan of Lord Thomas. ‘She’s been trying to reach you for some time now.’
