“It is my favorite,” Iris revealed. “I have not worn it in so long.”
“Then it will be considered new. It is perfect.”
“Should I wear emeralds with it, do you think?”
They continued to piece everything together, and by the end, Iris was excited for what was to come. She kept stealing glances at herself in the mirror, and that was how Adelaide knew that she had made a real difference.
Once they had settled everything, Adelaide set about finding Cassian to tell him what was to come. He was in his study, and when she knocked, she heard him grumble before standing.
She bristled at the sound, not wanting to disturb him, but when he opened the door, she could tell from the look on his face that his reaction had not been because of her.
“Ah, it is you.”
“It is.”
“Of course. My mother never wastes the energy to knock. Come in.”
“She will accompany us,” she announced. “I managed to brush her hair. It took a long time, but it was not too difficult.”
“You are most impressive. Did she say anything to you?”
“Anything unkind?” she clarified. “No, not at all. She was pleasant, actually. I also selected a gown for her, one that covers her shoulders.”
He tensed, and she could tell that he knew precisely what she had meant.
“And did she tell you how she got those scars?”
“No. She does not know that I saw them.”
He relaxed at that.
Adelaide could tell that something was wrong, that something was being kept from her, but there was no use in asking. Nobody seemed willing to tell her anything, and though it was frustrating, she knew that some secrets were too awful to share.
Even so, she wanted to know the truth.
“Will your friend be there?” she asked.
“Rowan? Yes, he should be. Why do you ask?”
“I thought he was an interesting gentleman. I would not mind seeing him again.”
“I see. Well, as long as you do not leave with him.”
She tilted her head to the side, wondering why he had said that.
After a long, awkward moment, he spoke, “Because—because we cannot afford speculation. Our appearance yesterday was a success, but our situation remains precarious all the same.”
Adelaide nodded, but there was a slight thrill in her heart. Her husband seemed jealous, and though it was supposed to be a terrible trait, she could not help but feel excited about it.
Whereas Hargrave’s possessive tendencies had disgusted her, she liked Cassian’s a great deal.
“I shall keep my distance, if that is your preference,” she teased. “I would hate for you to lose your composure.”
He took a step closer, looming over her with a smile. He tilted her chin up to look at him, giving her a playful look.
Adelaide could not fathom the flutter in her stomach, but she tried to ignore it. He only wanted a friendship at most, and he had made it clear that it would not change.
“I will never lose my composure,” he promised. “Do you know why?”
