Wace sighed heavily as he bent down to clean up the mess.
Ariel went to help, but he shooed her away. “Please, milady. I’m embarrassed enough.”
“Sorry.”
He glanced up with a frown. “Why do you apologize to me?”
She wasn’t sure. “I feel awful. For both of you.”
Wace shook his head as he cleaned up. “I’d feel better if Lord Valteri would at least yell at me for my clumsiness.”
“Why? As fair Cato said, patience is a virtue.”
“And cleanliness is next to godliness, but for some reason, I can’t seem to master that, either.”
She tsked at him. “You’re the only one I’ve ever met who craved violence as punishment.”
“Only because I know that I deserve a beating for my ineptitude.” He winced. “I try so hard and I swear every time I get near my lord, I do something stupid.”
“Ever think it might be because you fear doing something that it makes you nervous?”
He paused to look up at her. “What do you mean?”
“Only that you stopped being clumsy once we talked and met.”
“True.”
She picked up one of the goblets. “I think it’s your fear of having an accident that causes it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Except for this one. This one was definitely Lord Valteri’s fault.”
He laughed. “How I wish it were true. I should have been paying attention when I came through the door.” Sighing, Wace took the goblet from her hand. “Thank you, milady.”
“For what?”
“Making me feel better. I don’t really remember my mother. She died before I learned to walk. But your kindness is what I’d like to think she had.”
“I’m sure of it.”
With a winsome smile at her, he picked up his platter and quickly took off with a great deal more care.
Ariel frowned at the floor. It was perfect. No sign remained of the mess whatsoever.
Not even a drop.
But the pattern in the floor reminded her of…
I’m sorry about your mother.
She scowled as she heard a faint voice in her mind. Deep and resonant.
Ariel wanted to shout in frustration. Why wouldn’t it return?
What had happened to her mother?
And where was the rest of her family? Did she have a brother or sister?
“Father.” She saw an image of a light-haired man. Fierce. Invincible.
Aye, she had a father.
