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Formal suppers atcourt were not meals so much as battles. No, I thought as I took my place, I was being ungenerous. They weren’t quite that bad. More like skirmishes or reconnaissance missions. In any case, food was hardly the primary concern. The lords and ladies dining in the palace were too focused on vying for royal favors, discovering their adversaries’ secrets, and pretending they had no weaknesses themselves.
My second supper with the court since my return was far worse than the first. Noel had provided me with the knowledge I needed to parry verbal thrusts and shield myself, but such things had never come naturally to me. Not that I was usually the target of the courtiers. I had more to fear from false flattery than barbed jabs. So, it wasn’t the hushed conversations and dirty looks making the meal interminable.
It was the fact that Noel had ridden to Skorsa first thing this morning, and though he hadn’t returned before supper, the meal had dragged on long enough that he was almost certainly back by now.
I kept my composure through each of the five courses, but the moment the meal ended, I made my excuses and fled to the royal wing. I went directly to Noel’s room and knocked.
He threw open the door with a smirk. “I expected you a quarter of an hour ago, Mina.”
I glared and didn’t wait for an invitation to enter his room. “The Baron of Canterly was at supper tonight. You know how slowly he eats.”
Noel nodded as he closed the door and sat in the large leather chair near his currently cold fireplace. He pulled a supper tray into his lap and took a bite of roast potato.
I watched him chew. I watched him swallow and take a sip of wine. Then he picked up a knife and sliced off a bite of veal. He didn’t even look at me.
“Fine, I’ll ask.” I perched on the edge of the chair closest to Noel and leaned forward. “What did he say? How did he react?”
“Sam said he wouldn’t miss the ball for the world, and he is honored to get a room in the palace.”
“Noel!”
He took another sip of wine. “Yes?”
I spoke through clenched teeth. “What did Alan say?”
Noel set down his cup and didn’t reach for anything else. “He didn’t say much of anything. I told him what the letter contained,but he didn’t open it while I was there. He did not say one way or the other if he intended to accept the invitation, but he didn’t tear it up in front of me.”
“Did you get the impression he planned to tear it up as soon as you left?”
“No. But his emotions were such a mix I didn’t get a clear read on him at all. He’s still angry, but also hurt and thoughtful and confused.”
If Noel, who had sensed them directly, couldn’t make sense of Alan’s emotions, I didn’t stand a chance. But I had wanted more from my brother’s visit to Skorsa. I wanted to know if I could afford to hope, or if I should prepare myself for the worst. “What did Sam tell you about the last few days?”
“Sam told me lots. He is a very interesting fellow, and very talented at reading people. You should offer him a job as one of your advisors.”
“I know, and I already planned to make the offer after the ball. Now get to the point.”
“According to Sam, Alan is about as isolated now as when he was under the influence of the charms. The villagers are still struggling to adapt to the truth and aren’t going out of their way to change the situation, but Alan also seems to be actively avoiding everyone except a man named Cole.”
“At least he’s letting Cole in.”
“That’s what Sam said. He thought it was a good sign. He also wanted me to tell you that about a third of the village council is still acting like idiots, but Mistress Hervor threatened not to sell them any pie until they saw reason, so he holds out hope they’ll come around.”
I laughed. “I expect it is a very effective threat.”
Noel licked his lips. “Very. Her pie is delicious. Worth putting up with the daughter to get a slice.”
“Oh dear. What did Kayla do?”
“Wouldn’t let me take so much as a bite of my meal without coming over to check on me. Her flirting is rather heavy-handed. It was hard to stay polite, since she refused to accept that I wasn’t interested. Worst of all, the more she flirted, the less Sam did.”
I snorted. “Sam did not flirt with you.”
“No, but he wanted to.”
“That I can believe, but he is never going to be the pursuer, Noel. He is so used to the way things are in Skorsa, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t realize you were trying to flirt with him.”
