Everyone looked at the woman with frowns. Until she smiled. “But what we need is a competition more suited tobedsport.”
There was a great shriek of laughter and giggles from the women.
“Do the dragons breed like horses, Brennan? Perhaps you should require Donavyn and Hanson toprove themselves at stud?”
I pretended to be horrified, but these jokes were tame compared to those my brothers made when they weren’t thinking. Except, I didn’t like them talking about Donavyn this way.
“The General isverystrong. Seems like he’d know his way around a breeding,” one woman offered.
“Strength only takes a stud so far,” another chortled. “A true stallion impresseshimselfon his mate.”
Mate.
“Lord Hanson could impress himself upon me any time he wishes,” another woman offered breezily.
I spluttered, but Faye grabbed me again and raised her voice to all of them. “Now, now. Don’t confuse poor Brennan. She’s pure ofheartremember.”
“I don’t think purity has much to do with it,” someone muttered behind me.
I rolled my eyes, but Faye leaned into my ear. “Hanson could certainly provide a lavish stable for a new mare,” she said with a wink. “But I’d suggest you remain with the honorable General. Wealth corrupts a man, and I believe Hanson is a true rogue. The dangerous kind,” she added. “A quiet beast who hides his strength until it’s too late.”
“But, in the bedroom that’s agoodthing.”
More titters and splutters.
“And besides, didn’t you tell us Brennan was gifted in tamingbeasts?”
“Well, there is that,” Faye said, sending me a mischievous glance from the side.
All the way to the bathing room, they spoke this way—bantering back and forth, arguing over who would win the fight if the two men met in the ring—deciding Donavyn would win hand-to-hand, but because of Hanson’s money and training, he’d win if they used weapons.
I knew they were wrong, but didn’t interrupt. Faye leaned into my ear anytime the women referenced things about Hanson I didn’t know—like, the fact that he still worked his own land, despite being more than wealthy enough to have a land manager.
How he bred horses, so he knew his way with abreeding program.
And the way that, despite his power, Hanson derided the others for letting their wealth go to their heads.
“But none of this matters,” Faye said as we walked back towards the ballroom, raising her voice so the other women would stop talking. “Brennan already holds the heart of the General—he’s clearlybesottedwith you,” she said with a wink, though I didn’t miss the glint in her eye. “In my aged opinion, no woman should give up that kind of devotion.”
I shook my head, pretending insecurity. “We just work closely together—”
“You aren’t in Vosgaarde anymore, Brennan. You won’t be derided here for taking what is offered from a man, even when you aren’t married,” Faye said with a pat on my arm.
“Wellllll,”one of the other woman said dryly, but she was shushed.
“I’m not worried about that. Not really,” I insisted. “I’m simply aware that Donavyn’s devotion to his dragon and his role doesn’t leave room for love.”
The women all stared at me like I’d grown a second head.
“Dear, who said anything aboutlove?”Their laughter seemed genuine, rather than malicious.
The banter continued, peppered with advice about avoidingcertain womenwho had taken a shine to Donavyn, because they might try to use me to get close to him.
I didn’t miss that Faye remained quiet during that conversation.
But eventually, the women led me to another set of double doors—not the ballroom—and threw them wide, streaming in ahead of me and plopping themselves down on couches and lounges, sighing about aching feet and corsets that needed to be loosened.
I wasn’t sure why we’d come here, but the room was cooler, and I was tired. So, I took a seat in a soft, blue chair and slipped off my shoes under my dress as some of the other women were doing.
