She stammered. “Oh, dear, I?—”
“Nothing happened with the ride!” I shouted. I stomped out, snatching another gown off its hanger, loathing it but casting it over the divider the same. “The ride was fine!” I told him. “It wasafterwardthat that deliberately rude swordsman accused me of not understanding a hard day's work! Which, perhaps, may have been a fair shot for any other princess, and yes, maybe I have servants and horse handlers and such, but that’s neither here nor there. The issue was not the ride or some callous act in particular. Mr. Evergreen was. No. He was not inappropriate with me. He only wounded my feelings, which I am entitled to as I am, in fact, a person, not a statue. You do not have to badger me about it, Lord Commander. I’m clearly still very sensitive, yes? But, should I determine the man deserves a beating, believe me, you’ll be the first to know! Now.Whereis my bracelet?”
Josie handed it to me.
“Thank you,” I said. I dragged it over my wrist and primped myself in my reflection. “Do I look alright?”
Elías bored his eyes into my maid. She adjusted slightly.
“Then it’s Evergreen who’s the problem?” he asked.
“No,” I said heatedly. “What would give youthatimpression?”
“You just said it was,” he said.
“I–”
Josie interrupted. “To be fair, you were seen exchanging words with Mr. Ever?—”
I divided his name. “One might say it would bestrangenot to converse with a man I spent the better part of an afternoon with,” I said. “Besides, ‘exchanging words’ seems to be our strength as a pair.”
My knight scowled. “I don’t like that I’m not in attendance with you. Say the word, and I’ll-”
“I do not need another chaperone,” I said.
He nodded once. “But pray. Has he riled you?”
“Elías,” I said. “Can I not just be irked? Irritated? Irrevocably upset? Must there be a reason? Orpersonwho behind the irking?”
“And you maintain he is not the reason you’re upset?” he asked.
He waited for a response I couldn’t muster, and Josie retrieved her garment brush from somewhere close to run it over my intended skirt.
“Fine,”I relented. “I might be upset this morning, and itmighthave something to do with Mr. Evergreen.”
“What did he do?” he asked calmly. “Should I fetch Ser Willoughby?”
My eyes widened. “Surely you’re not asking if you should invite a second party to hurt a man I said did nothing to warrant punishment? Half of Chalke already thinks I’m anuntamablebeast! They’ll call you my hound.”
“Didhecall you that? Untamable beast?” he asked.
“No.”I strolled back across the room and sat at the vanity, picking at my nails. “What is yourobsessionwith the Blade anyway?” I asked. “He isn’t special; he just thinks he is.”
Josie stifled a laugh, drawing our eyes. She kept hers trained on the dress she tended and clearly struggled to keep from smiling.
Elías bristled. “Do you have something to add, Miss Jocelyn?”
“No, Ser,” she declared.
I sighed and reached for my shoes. “Mr. Evergreen has been nothing but cordial to me, Ser. A proper gentleman. ...That is, past the endless sparring. Though, I suppose he is entitled to his opinion.”
“Hesparswith you?” he begged, angry.
“Notsparsparring, you old fool.” I sighed, dropping my heels again to find another set. I moved anxiously toward the bed to produce my back to Josie. She started to untie the lacing on my gown.
“I believe Miss Svana is referring to their bickering, Lord Commander,” she explained.
“Bickering,”I muttered back. “As though we are some decrepit married couple.” I laughed. “Imagine! To be married to the likes of him. Mrs. Cyrus Evergreen!” I rolled my eyes. “I pity the woman. A dreadful dame, I’d say. She’d have to be half as annoying.”
