Asher moved behind her, brushing a quick kiss to her temple as he set down more bread.
Lucy’s eyes sparkled. She clasped her cheeks. “This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed. Basil, you’re a tragic backstory.”
“I reject that title.”
Lucy wasn’t listening. She was too busy cataloguing everything for Esther later: the way Rhea leaned into Asher without thinking, the way Basil watched the door even while sitting, the way Sylva listened more than he spoke.
Then Rhea turned toward the Baroness with casual, lethal accuracy.
“And what about you and Basil?” she asked lightly. “I always felt bad when our marriage was arranged. You were absolutely head over heels for him during our girlhood days.”
The room froze.
The Baroness sputtered. Basil choked.
Lucy leaned forward like she was watching a puppet show.
“What—absolutely not—I never—why would—”
“She’s lying,” Sylva said calmly, sipping his drink.
The Baroness slapped a hand to her chest. “Sylva!”
Basil stared at her, color rising in his neck. “You—you? With me?”
“No!”
“Lie,” Sylva added again.
They both flushed scarlet.
Lucy clasped her hands under her chin.
Oh no.
They’re idiots. They’re in love, and they’re idiots.
Basil cleared his throat loudly. “We should rest.”
“Yes!” the Baroness squeaked. “Rest. Separate rooms. Far apart.”
They stood simultaneously, looked at each other, looked away, and promptly nearly walked into the same wall.
Lucy watched them go, deeply unsettled. Traveling had officially become an active threat to her will to live.
Lucy awoke to raised voices.
She rolled out of bed and followed the sound of the Baroness actively fighting with clothing.
“I cannot dress like a commoner!” the Baroness cried. “People will stare!”
“That’s the point,” Lucy said, tying her hair up. “They stare because you look like you’re about to attend a palace ball. We’re heading north. Mud exists. Dirt exists. People exist.”
“That is not a reassuring list!”
Lucy crossed her arms. “Drop the noble act. Drop the title. Don’t you want Basil to call you Irene?”
The Baroness froze.
