“A lot,” she agreed with laughter. “But I do not mind. If anything, I am curious.”
“Curious?”
She flashed her eyes. “To see what type of man could befriend my husband. It is quite the achievement.”
Ronan’s brow furrowed and his eyes searched her as if he thought she was being serious. But she was sure to let the smile reach her eyes and his face dropped. “Ah, very clever.”
“And funny.”
He shook his head and laughed as he did.
Thalia smiled to herself, understanding now exactly the type of man her husband was. He liked to pretend that he wished to be left alone. He feigned isolation, as if opening himself to others was a weakness. But there was a side of him that likedhis friends, that enjoyed companionship. He simply refused to admit it.
But why?Thalia very nearly asked… but stopped herself.No… not yet.They were not quite ready to have a conversation like that. For now, all they needed to do was enjoy the day ahead. They had taken a large step forward down the right path, as she saw it.
The rest of the afternoon was spent pleasantly.
They stayed mostly to the back of the garden. Every now and then, a lord or lady would approach and give their greetings, rarely staying long, as if they wanted to test the waters and find out if what they could see with their own eyes was true.
And for a time, Thalia was able to feel relieved, happy to say that their first outing as a married couple passed without incident. Exactly what they needed. Only then…
“Your Grace!”
Through the crowd, a gentleman stumbled toward them. He was somewhere in his fifties, hair gray and receding, his skin blotched from the sun and how much he’d clearly drunk during the day. “Ah yes…” He laughed as he came for them. “The Duke of Westvale, what a treat.”
Thalia was standing beside Ronan, and she saw him stiffen and his eyes flash with menace. Feeling that she needed to, shereached out and rested a hand on his arm to calm him. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Lord Westmere,” Ronan said darkly. “It is nice to see you again.”
“I would hope so!” Lord Westmere stopped before them, body swaying and eyes glazed over. “Ah…” He turned to Thalia. “And this must be the wife.”
“Lord Westmere…” She offered him a small curtsey. “It is nice to meet you.” She had no idea who this man was, but from the way he eyed her, he seemed to know who she was.Oh no…
“Is it now?” he laughed. Behind him, a small crowd was watching, having heard his laughter, and having noticed the scene he was making. “I’m surprised to find you alone,” he said.
She frowned. “Alone? I am not. His Grace?—”
“That is not what I meant…” He burped and wiped his mouth. “Tell me, where is the little sprout? You know who I mean…” He scrunched his face into a ball. “Never did learn her name. Your daughter.”
Again, she felt Ronan stiffen and a quick glance confirmed the warning he had Lord Westmere fixed in.
“Oh, Olivia,” she said with a friendly smile, wishing to de-escalate. “She is home.”
“For the best,” he blurted. “Can’t be having a bastard like that attending events like this now, can we.” Olivia’s stomach clenched and she felt her anger spike. “Wouldn’t be right. Although who is to say what’s right, aye!” He laughed. “But if we start letting bastards attend?—”
It happened quickly.
Olivia’s anger grew rapidly, and she worked painfully to keep it contained. Body running hot, jaw clenched, she tried to breathe to calm herself. But her husband had no such reservations.
His curled fist swung and punched Lord Westmere square in the nose. The thwack rang across the garden, as did the painfilled cry which ripped from the lord’s lips as he tumbled to the ground.
“Ronan!” Thalia cried out.
“My nose!” Lord Westmere groaned from on his knees. “You broke my nose!”
Ronan was standing over him, fists clenched, a look on his face of such demented rage that even Thalia was fearful of what her husband might do. He was shaking, face red like the setting sun, glaring at Lord Westmere as a wolf might a rabbit it had come across in the wild.
About them, the crowd was watching. The music which had been playing stopped dead, throwing the scene into a state ofstunned and awkward silence. Eyes widened. Mouths opened. Once again, attention was directed at her and Ronan.
