“I should retire for the evening.”
He stands as well, leading me toward the door. “Would you like me to escort you to your rooms?”
“Yes, Father. Just guide me through the ballroom so no one stops to speak with me. I don’t think I could bear conversation right now.”
He opens the door and leads me into the dimly lit ballroom. Music swells through the room, couples drifting into shadowed alcoves. It’s all so sensual, and I want no part of it.
I see Kieran standing alone against a column. His eyes catch mine, and he bows from across the room, but I turn my head forward and walk resolutely on.
I cannot risk my heart any further until Leland and I reach a mutual decision.
28
Kieran
“What did you think of the ball, Mr. Blackwell?” Queen Penelope asks from behind her desk, sipping a cup of strong tea. I take a sip of my own, the delicate cup clinking as I set it down.
Her eye twitches, and she puts on a false smile as she looks from the cup to me. How have any of the Ashcroft children lived their adult lives under such scrutiny? I remember her indifference to their childhood and the devotion their father once showed, but even that has been replaced by an unwavering devotion to his wife.
“As far as balls go, it was fine,” I say. The evening was a statement, a trap to ensnare her people into behavior beyond propriety. I wonder which of them she intended to target with such a sensuous setting.
“Did you find a young miss to enjoy the evening with?” she inquires, her lips tugged into a sneer.
I tap my fingers against my thigh and sit up to convey my annoyance. “Your Majesty, with all due respect, I am a very busy man. If youprefer to gossip about the evening’s activities, I’m sure you can find more suitable company than me. As it is, I’m shortly due to inspect the mines in northern Naseria and don’t have time for idle chat. My offer still stands for you to send a representative along with my envoy.”
She sips again and sets the cup down delicately. “Fine. Business it is. I’m afraid I can’t spare anyone to send with you. We’re deep in preparations for Princess Genevieve and Prince Leland’s wedding. In fact, that’s why I suggested you comeafterthe wedding.”
The nerve of this woman—denying my only request to have someone,anyonefrom her government take interest or accountability in the mines of her own country. She doesn’t need to know I have no interest in seeing this mockery of a wedding through.
“Why should I be denied seeing a good friend married? From my perspective, this was an excellent opportunity to enjoy the celebrations while gauging Naseria’s prospects as my next investment. Unfortunately, your government seems unwilling to take this project seriously.”
I rise when a knock sounds at the door. Queen Penelope waves me back down. “I’m quite busy at the moment. Come back in thirty minutes.”
I stand anyway. “That won’t be necessary. There’s no reason to continue this farce, Your Majesty.” I open the door—and Gen stands there in a simple white and blue day dress. Her eyes are swollen, as if she’s been crying, and she gives a stilted gasp when she sees me.
“Excuse me. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she says, looking down. She looks hurt, and I want to pull her close despite how often she pushes me away. The need to hold her—to be the one to comfort her—doesn’t go away. Still, I don’t touch her. It’s not my place to tend Genevieve Ashcroft’s sore feelings, even if once that was all I ever wanted.
“You weren’t interrupting anything. I was just leaving,” I reply, giving her space to enter.
“Mr. Blackwell, do take a seat,” Queen Penelope commands. “You should as well, Genevieve.”
We both take seats, close enough that I could reach out and touch her if I wanted to. The greed to feel her skin against mine is almost too much.
“Now, I know Genevieve is busy with her upcoming nuptials, but Mr. Blackwell, you are correct in saying that I haven’t been eager to take greater interest in the helachite mines or the railway. I’m nearing the end of my reign and look forward to living in relative peace, turning my attention to my four other children while Princess Genevieve assumes the throne.”
Genevieve shudders, disbelief flickering across her face—a sure sign this isn’t a typical conversation with her mother. She has the sense to stay silent, but I don’t. This woman is up to something, and from everything I know of her, I don’t trust a word that leaves her mouth.
“If I dare say so, you’ve been criminally neglectful of the helachite mines, Your Majesty.” The queen regards me as if she could incinerate me on the spot.
“That is your opinion, Mr. Blackwell. Plenty would attest that I am a thorough and compassionate ruler. But that aside—Genevieve, you asked me to hand this project to you. You can have it. Decide for yourself how you’ll proceed with Mr. Blackwell. I’m no longer interested in working with a man who demands more from me than he deserves.”
“But—” Gen begins, looking between me and her mother.
“But what, Genny? Speak your mind!” her mother snaps. Gen seems, for a moment, ready to fold in on herself. Then she sits up with the public confidence she always carries.
“I came to discuss Mr. Blackwell’s departure,” she says. “I was informed he’ll be leaving this morning, and I think it would be best if he chose a representative from Blackwell Industries to oversee the project moving forward.”
“And why would you want to remove me from my own project?” I ask. Genevieve won’t even look at me; she continues speaking to her mother.
