He ran a hand down his tunic. ‘I thought you might be able to assist in finding Eda a suitor. I understand you have connections in Toryn.’
Eda’s gaze snapped to him.Toryn?Perhaps I should have listened to him on the way to the castle.
‘A Toryn suitor?’ Queen Fayre regarded him coolly. ‘And what is it you hope to gain from such a match?’
‘My niece has a very adventurous soul, as you well know. I think she would be happy there. Second to her happiness, connections outside Chadora’s walls are useful for business.’
‘Second to her happiness’? Just how big a fool did he take Queen Fayre for? Eda tried not to be sick. ‘I don’t want to go to Toryn.’ She could not stand quiet while her uncle dispatched her to lands afar.
Thomas rocked on his feet and cleared his throat. ‘Well, you cannot remain a burden to your family forever. We all wish to see you settled.’
‘And happy,’ Fayre added, tilting her head.
He nodded. ‘As I said before.’
Eda took a step towards the queen. ‘Or perhaps you have need for me in your army. I’ve surely proven myself by now.’
‘Be silent,’ Thomas said.
The queen mother raised a hand, gesturing for calm.
Before anyone could utter another word, Prince Becket strode out onto the terrace. He looked from Eda to her uncle as he walked. ‘Ms Suttone. Lord Thomas.’
‘Your Highness.’
Becket went to stand beside his mother. ‘What are we discussing?’
‘A suitor for Ms Suttone,’ Fayre said. ‘Lord Thomas is keen to see her settled and happy.’ Her eyes shone with mischief. ‘He thinks a Toryn suitor might be the best option for her.’
Becket looked to Eda. ‘Is that your wish, Ms Suttone? To settle down?’
He knew very well that it was not her wish. ‘Actually, I was just telling Queen Fayre that I would prefer to be useful here in Chadora. Perhaps serve in your army.’
‘Being a wife is useful,’ Thomas said.
Becket nodded. ‘That is true. Wives play an important role in any household.’
Eda’s heart sank.
‘But finding suitable men nowadays can be a tedious task,’ Becket said, looking to his mother. ‘Can it not?’
‘Very tedious. Such arrangements can take months.’
Becket turned to Thomas. ‘Perhaps we can find something useful for your niece to do while we wait.’ His gaze met Eda’s. ‘I am sure Commander Wright would happily find a position for you atop the wall. Is that useful enough for you?’
He was gifting her time. ‘Yes. Thank you, Your Highness.’
Thomas’s jaw tightened. ‘Will such a thing not work against her? No sane lord is going to take on an armed wife.’
‘A lord?’ Becket’s eyebrows rose. ‘You mustreallycare about her happiness if you are aiming to make her a lady.’
Eda looked down so no one would see her lips twitch.
‘You shall be paid the same wage as the other first-year defenders,’ Becket went on. ‘We would not wish you to be a financial burden on your family while we wait.’ He winked at Eda, then turned his attention back to Thomas. ‘I trust you will be attending my coronation next week, Lord Thomas.’
That seemed to cheer her uncle up. ‘A true honour.’
‘And you, Ms Suttone?’
