Valentina screamed obscenities at us all as she was forcefully escorted away, her arms clamped in vicelike grips by a knight on either side. For a princess, she had quite the mouth on her. Would make any stevedore blush.
Tonight, she wasn’t my problem.
I marched back inside, closing the door behind me, and huffed out a breath. Forget irritated, I’d entered the realm of outright fury. How dare that motherfucking bitch try to lay hands on my man. If she tried this again, I would hire an assassin.
James opened the door and peeked out. He had put on a robe this time. “Is she gone?”
“She’s gone, but I say we move to my house tonight. So she can’t try this again.”
“I’m for this plan. I’ll, uh, quickly get dressed.”
“I’ll pack you a bag.”
Like hell would I give her another opening.
Sixty
James
Staying at Edwin’s house was always restful. In the entirety of both my lives, nothing bad had ever happened to me here. That knowledge allowed me to truly relax.
I woke up the next morning to Edwin cooking something quick and easy for breakfast, which suited my mood rather well. I also had something of a thought coming down the stairs.
First, though, I gave him a kiss good morning.
He kissed me in return, smiling up at me. “Good morning to you too. Why do you have your thinking face on?”
He read me well, didn’t he? “It occurs to me that speaking with Lucien here would be safer than doing so at the palace or in some other public environment.”
“Oh, now, that’s a very good thought.”
“Isn’t it? I like it very much. I think I’ll send him a quick message asking if he wants to have lunch with us here. Who knows, he might be available.”
“Call Helena as well,” Edwin said. “Then go to the market with me. If I’m cooking for four people, I need more ingredients.”
“A splendid plan, let’s do it.”
Breakfast was hot and filling, and I was able to snag two boys to run messages. Knights loitered outside Edwin’s house on security detail, so we picked them up on the way into the market. I felt a little bad about making them stand outside, despite them assuring me it was fine, so I bought them breakfast and snacks while picking up lunch ingredients.
I also picked up something else, a fine little bundle of things, and a lot of them. Edwin, a seasoned man at court politics, noticed my purchase with a frown. Still, he didn’t say anything. I think he knew as well as I that the time had come to take certain precautions.
By the time we returned to the house, two runners were waiting on us, both with notes saying Lucien and Helena were coming. We only had an hour before they arrived, so while Edwin cooked, I cleaned up the living room and dining room areas. Edwin wasn’t home a great deal, so there was some clutter to pick up and some dusting needed.
There, better.
A knock sounded on the door and I swung it wide, satisfied when I saw Lucien on the other side. “You’ve made good time.”
“Where even am I?” Lucien demanded. “Your secret love shack?”
I laughed. “No, this is Edwin’s house. Well, I suppose yes, as we do retreat here for privacy sometimes.”
“Oh, it’sEdwin’shouse. Shidteus’s balls, it must have been wrecked after the Wrath hit. I’m surprised it’s still standing and in good shape.”
“We had to do some renovations. It didn’t survive unscathed. Anyway, come in, come in.”
I had the door mostly closed when I heard a high-pitched “Wait for me!” from the other side. Opening it again, I popped my head out and saw Helena was just stepping down from her carriage. She must have been chasing Lucien’s tail to arrive on his heels.
“Helena, welcome.”
