“I’m merely going to visit Lady Sophia, but I am concerned for my safety on the road,” Elowen said in a tone that didn’t invite argument.
The guard bowed, nodding toward his fellow. The other man moved promptly away, and in a short time, returned with two other guards.
“Thank you.” Elowen held her head high as she strode toward the entryway of the castle. “You will stay with me at all times, do you understand?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Her new companions seemed bemused, but they were too well trained to ask questions. She was glad, because she had a feeling that if she voiced her determination to be protected from Bertrand, it would lead to exasperation from her family. But the viscount had shown his true colors the night of the ball, and deciding to confront him didn’t mean she had to be careless. There was no Theo here to come to her aid this time.
The thought brought a lump to her throat, but she refused to dwell on her emotions. The short trip to the duke’s manor took no time at all, and when she’d been ushered into a large parlor, it wasn’t Sophia she asked for.
“Lord Bertrand?” the confused housekeeper asked. “Yes, Your Highness, he’s here. But…”
“Please tell him I wish to speak with him,” she said.
She looked uneasily around the space, wondering what felt off. Something was different. It was too silent, she decided. Like the whole house was tensed, waiting for some blow to fall. Elowen’s thoughts flew back to the castle. How was the meeting with the lords going? Would her father convince them not to be offended with Theo? Would he tell them it was Prince Xavier who’d insisted on removing his brother? Unlikely, since that wouldn’t help change the mind of anyone inclined to be offended with Siqual. She was sure her father wouldn’t disclose her fearsabout poison, which meant that it would be difficult to explain Prince Xavier’s actions.
“Princess.” Bertrand had appeared in the doorway, his eyebrows raised in an infuriatingly smug expression. “You’ve sought me out. What an honor.”
“Bertrand, I need to speak with you,” Elowen said, her voice hard.
He bowed. “By all means.” He glanced at the guards. “Perhaps we can walk in the gardens.”
Elowen hesitated. She felt more secure in the room with her guards right there, but it might be best for all if they couldn’t hear everything said.
“All right,” she said, not very graciously. “My guards will naturally wish to accompany me.”
“Naturally.” Bertrand looked amused.
Her shoulders stiff with tension, Elowen followed him out of the manor and into a manicured garden.
“You may stay here,” she told the guards, as they paused just outside the building. “But if I leave your sight at any time, come and retrieve me immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” They exchanged a look as she turned away, which she pretended not to see.
Bertrand offered Elowen his arm, but she ignored it, walking forward with purpose until they were just out of the guards’ hearing range.
“Very wise to set safeguards for yourself,” Bertrand commented. He plucked a bloom from a nearby bush, offering it to her with a gallant sweep of his arm. “I’m flattered that you feel you can’t trust yourself to be alone with me.”
Elowen crossed her arms, ignoring the flower and fixing him with a hard stare.
“Enough games, Bertrand,” she said. “You’re the one who called the meeting of the lords, aren’t you?”
He raised one thin eyebrow. “I didn’t know you were interested in matters of state.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know,” Elowen said in a clipped voice.
A steady wind was blowing, and although their corner of garden was well sheltered, a nearby tree at the edge of the space was bending a little from the onslaught. The movement of the leaves called to Elowen, their magic leaking out for anyone to take hold of. It wasn’t a lot of Dust, but it would be enough to give Bertrand a zap if he tried anything. She was determined not to be caught off guard by him again.
Heartened by the thought, she pressed on. “Give me a straight answer, Bertrand. Are you the one who proposed the motion to dissolve my betrothal?”
He raised his arms, gesturing at their surroundings. “Do you see me in a meeting at the castle?”
“Of course not,” Elowen said darkly. “This is what you do. You set things in motion, and you hide behind others while they give voice to your demands. How many times have I seen you use Sophia that way?” Her eyes narrowed further. “How many times have you hidden behind Simeon?”
Displeasure flickered over his face, and he folded his arms.
“If you think I’m unwilling to stand by my actions, you’re mistaken, Princess,” he said smoothly. “Of course I oppose your betrothal to a Siqualian prince.”
