She was smiling at him; it was always the most unsettling thing she could do. It rarely meant that she had anything to be happy about. Rather, it meant that she had something over him.
“I was only going to enquire about your outing. Did she do well?”
“As a matter of fact, she did. I am proud of her for what she did there.”
Cassian felt satisfaction in saying it. His mother had always expected him to fail, and it seemed that extended to his wife. But Adelaide had not given her that. Instead, she had spoken excellently, and she had undoubtedly improved their standing in a way he had never been able to.
That, he had to admit, was because their peers did not fear her the way they feared him.
“Then what didyoudo?” his mother asked in an accusatory tone. “A lady does not walk away from her husband like that unless something is very wrong, indeed.”
“You would have accused me of doing something even if she had not. Nothing has happened. Everything was as it should have been, and we have made some connections. That is all.”
It was clear his mother did not believe him, but she did not question him further. Cassian was at least grateful for that much, for he was not in the mood to hear any more unpleasant words from her.
He almost expected Adelaide not to come down for dinner, but as he took his seat, she entered the room. Her gown was red and heavy, and it rustled as she moved.
She did not meet his eyes. It was as though he was not there at all, but he did not like it the way he had expected. He felt like a stranger.
“You rushed upstairs upon your return,” his mother began. “Is all well?”
“Yes,” Adelaide replied brightly. “My apologies. It was a long afternoon with a lot of questions, and I needed rest. I do hope that you did not take offense.”
For once, his mother seemed to have nothing to say. Cassian waited for it, the barb that would make him defend his wife, but it never came. Instead, she smiled.
“It is quite all right. I remember those events well. It is always at its worst when you are a newlywed. You put on that ring, and suddenly, everyone expects you to divulge every detail about your marriage. I do hope that you kept some things to yourself.”
“Of course. I only told them what was necessary.”
Cassian did not know what to think. He did not trust his mother, that much he knew, but it was difficult to know just what she wanted. There was nothing false in her expression. There was even a hint of respect in her eyes, but he knew there had to besomething more. She had been miserable for years, and she had no real reason to feel any different.
Then, she cleared her throat.
“Adelaide,” she said loudly enough to be heard, “I was rather hoping that you might do something for me?”
“Of course. What is it?”
There it was. She had been waiting for Adelaide to relax before unleashing her cruelty. She would ask her to leave the house, or find a reason to get an annulment, or do any other horrible thing.
Iris Blackmoor was cruelty personified, as far as Cassian was concerned, and that meant she did not know how to extend real kindness.
“Would you brush my hair?” she asked.
Cassian faltered, an angry response lodged in his throat.
“I know it is not your duty,” she continued, “but I cannot bear the thought of asking a maid to do it. I do not know how long it will take, and if I must speak with someone, it might as well be you.”
Cassian and Adelaide exchanged a look. He willed her to refuse, for no good would come of it, but she did not seem to agree with him. He begged her with his eyes not to be stubborn, to put their exchange to the side and remember who his mother was, but it was apparent that she was not going to do that.
“I would be more than happy to,” she replied gently. “I shall bring my comb with me. I had some terrible tangles at times, and not wanting to inconvenience my maid, I handled them myself.”
“Thank you.”
His mother had just expressed her gratitude for the first time inyears.
Cassian could hardly eat. He was transfixed by his wife, who seemed to have a way with people that he had never managed. People were drawn to her, and he wished that he could be the same. Instead, he was someone to fear, to revile.
The meal ended, but he did not want to go to his study. He knew that if his mother wanted to speak with him, she would go there, and he did not want to see her.
