“I’m telling you the truth, Ser. Mr. Evergreen is not dangerous.”
His impish face was back. “Then this heightened defense is a result of the thoughts you’re having, eh? Or is it just the feelings you’ve grown for him?”
“Neither.”
“Neither? Then what reason would you have to be apprehensive of returning to the way things have always been, if nothing’s changed?”
“I, I’m not apprehensive,” I said. “I didn’twantyou, or Josie, to ride with us. I tried to keep it from happening. I tried to keep the rides how they were. Eli sent you. Remember?”
Ser Willoughby chuckled.
“It’s not funny,” I said. I took a long inhale.
“I just do as I am told, but do you want to know what likely tipped him off? Elías, I mean?”
“There’s nothing to tip off.”
“You smile when I sayMr. Evergreen.I imagine it’s the same with anyone else—that you do it whenever you hear the name, but it is such a rare occasion from your general demeanor, that anyone should notice should they know you.”
“I don’t smile,” I said.
“You do. Youjustsmiled, in fact.”
I purposely defused the brightness on my expression. I paused, seriously. “Say Ididsee a benefit of finding myself alone with Mr. Evergreen tomorrow?”
He pointed rudely at my face. “Smiling.”
I frowned. “Does it not offend you? My ignorance of his station?”
That sparked humor out of him, and with it he slid his hands behind his head. “Aye, much in the way mine of Miss Jocelyn’s offends you, or?”
“But it doesn’t offend me. I- Oh. I see what you did with that. I feel violated. Like you’ve tricked me into confessing something.”
“A habit, really,” he said. “Often a point of what I did in the War.”
“I’m sorry my father made you do those things,” I said.
He clicked his tongue. “I’m sorry you think he made me.”
“What?”
“Your father.”
“You said he enlisted Rusted Blades?”
“Yes, but I wrote him. I asked him for the role.”
“Why would you ask for it?” I asked.
“Because I’m good at hurting people, Svana,” he said. “And I enjoy it equally. Just like I’ll enjoy hurting Mr. Evergreen when he fucks up.”
“…Mr. Evergreen has always been cordial,” I said, relying upon the word. “He’s never once been out of line, and when I’ve asked him not to do something, he’s not done it. He’s not bad. He’s good.”
His hand came to my shoulder. “Then spend your time with him as you see fit, but promise me you’ll be careful.Sure, before you do anything. And if he pressures you to do something you’re not ready for, you’ll tell me first before Ser Elías. Before he can give him a fair trial.”
“Um… Alright.”
“Thank you.”
