“Svana,”she moaned.
“But have you told him?” I asked. “Sometimestellinga person something makes all the difference on whether or not they actuallyknowwhat you’re hoping that they know.”
“Ah, such advice. I see you have been spending time with him, then. Daniel is so very deep thinking like that. He tells me you are friends now. He’s very proud of that.”
“Of course he is, Miss Jocelyn, I’m wonderful, but, I don’t wish you to worry about my cousin. Alright? I think we both know the feelings are there. He’s just marinating in them. That’s all. I shall speak to him myself, our alleged friendship be damned.”
“Svana.” She shook her head. “No.”
“Josie,” I said back. “Yes.”
“Please don’t,” she asked. “We’ve come close to acknowledging each other, but when I’m about to say it or he is, suddenly he changes the subject. I'm positive that whatever his reason is for avoiding me, it’s noble,” she said. “I can only trust that he knows what he wants. I must respect his decision when it isn’t me.”
“You’re serious?” I feigned a gag.
“Perhaps he already has a lover?” she wondered. “Or perhaps such a polite man was unimpressed by the way I behaved at the cottage.” Josie drifted in that thought. “I wasn’t much of a lady then, I’m afraid. I’m sure men of society don’t appreciate that sort of impropriety in their partners. Especially sons of Viscounts.”
“Some concerns.One, Ser Willoughby? A lover? Really?”I asked. “No. Second, I do think you should revisit the word noble. Perhaps an adjacent word, such as… I don't know, nobility?”
She found my eyes. “What do you know?” she asked.
“Me?” I clicked my tongue. “No, I know nothing. But he is quitenoble, correct?”
“You’ve spoken to him,” she said. She spun me toward her. “Out with it!”
“I may have… Imighthave asked him if he… I mean, the good news is… Oh! It’s not my role to rob you of that revelation, please!”
Her face paled. “He hates me?” she asked. “I repulse him? I knew it!”
“What!” I cried. “How did you inferthat?That is not at all what I was hinting at!”
“No?” She narrowed her eyes. “Then heiswith another?” Her hand flattened to her chest. “Is she prettier than me?”
“No!” I shook my head.
“She’s not? That’s somehow worse!”
“No! No, Jocelyn, he…” I stomped my foot. “Please just trust me. Do not make me tell you. He will be so mad.”
She pursed her lips into a softer, sadder frown, an absolute pout.
“Josie… Fine!” I told her. “Fine but please! Youcannotact as if you know. Daniel will never forgive me— it’s true, as much as it pains me to say, wearefriends, and I do not wish to endanger that! I have so few friends.”
“Tell me what he said or I will braid your hair so badly that everyone speaks of it for years!” she promised.
I gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
“I would, Princess,” she spat. “I would and you know that I would! Fear me!”
I shut my mouth and I tried to find the laziest and most secret way to word myself. “Ser Willoughby is nobility,” I said.
“Are you daft?” she asked. “I know that. What does that have to do with anything?”
“He’s Lord Willoughby,” I said, cautiously. “Or he was. He’s Ser now, but his father is still Viscount Willoughby. In fact, you might know the name if you’re at all familiar with South Áire. Their seat is in Locke, south of Harbourtown. He–”
“Iknowwho Viscount Willoughby is,” she said.
“Well, he’s nobility,” I repeated.
