“Yes, that’s typical for all men courting women.” He winked again.
She didn’t thinkallmen had that tendency, but she didn’t want to prolong the conversation and said only, “Since you’re apparently more prone to honesty now, tell me what you want.”
“I would appreciate it if you could take me to your family’s castle for a visit. As I was saying, I always loved the library, and there were a few old tomes that would be of particular interest to me now that I not only read about history but have a career researching it.”
“Uh-huh. Why won’t my father let you in?”
“His grudge.”
“Over the dog?”
“He adores his hounds.”
“That, I know, but he liked you almost as much. He wanted you tomarryme, after all.”
“I think that was less about adoration and more about me being apt enough with numbers and his business that he believed you and I would produce suitably scholarly offspring. He had fewer hopes pinned on your brother, you know. I’m surprisedhewasn’t the one who ran away.”
Rylana waved that away, hardly believing her father had held a grudge against Vormalt for all this time. “I’m sure he would let you in if you asked.”
“I did ask. Several times. Did you know there are magical security wards to keep trespassers off the grounds and out of the castle?”
“I did know that, yes. Father had them installed when I was a kid. His hunting hounds love people too much and weren’t good deterrents.”
“Well, after all these years, your father hasn’t let me step foot inside, not that I’ve made a habit of pestering him. Pennigrew has a castle, too, you know.” Vormalt sipped from his cup, smirking around the edge. “Abiggerone.”
“Yet, it doesn’t satisfy you fully.”
“It’s not as ancient and steeped in history, and it’s a bit gaudy and grandiose if we’re being honest.”
“Why would we be anything but?Honestywas always a hallmark of our chats.” When Rylana had been eighteen, after briefly being flattered by an older man’s interest, she’d assumed it was more her family’s status and money that had prompted Vormalt to pursue her. And maybe it had been partly that, but now… she was curious what about thecastledrew him. And had that been his reason all along for wanting to marry her? No, that would be silly. Still, he wantedsomethingthere.
“Do you think you’ll be visiting your father soon?” Vormalt asked.
“No. I’m staying here in town and not going to see the family, so I can’t get you into the castle. And I need to return to work.” Rylana finished her latte and dug into her purse, having to part with a few precious coins to pay for the drink, and stood. “Don’t lurk around here, all right? I can’t help you with your problem, and there aren’t any libraries in the diner.”
She kept herself from saying there wasn’t even paper that wasn’t wrapped around meat from a butcher shop. She found herself wanting to protect Jildarin's reputation rather than complaining about his quirks. At leasthehadn’t sneered at her haircut.
“Of that I’m certain. Dragonsburnlibraries instead of reading books.”
Rylana almost objected but remembered how, a few years earlier in the Danbar Kingdom, a squadron of dragons and elveshadtorched a university in a stealth attack behind the frontlines. They hadn’t targeted the library, but so much of that portion of the city had been built from wood that the flames had spread to disastrous effect.
“Keep those.” Vormalt pointed at her change and laid a gold coin on the table. “You’ve scintillated me with your conversational skills, so I can’t let you pay.”
“That’s enough for twenty cups. Don’t you carry smaller coins?”
“I’ve no need.” Vormalt waved airily. “And I might stay and have another drink. The coffee is quite good, isn’t it?” He gazed toward the book-filled shelves in the back.
“It is. And maybetheyhave books that would interest a historian. Some could be filled with ancient treasure maps.”
Vormalt snorted. “Yes, I believe most archaeologists start their research at the local coffee shop.”
Rylana's fingers twitched toward the table—since he’d offered to pay, she was tempted to take back her coins—but she stuck her empty hand in her pocket. Even if Vormalt was leaving a ridiculous amount, she didn’t want to feel she owed him anything.
His eyebrows arched, but he didn’t comment on her choice. Irritatingly, despite his suggestion that he might stay for another round, Vormalt rose to follow her out of the coffee shop.
Rylana was tempted to veer off in another direction, even if she would ultimately circle the block to go in through the storeroom, but the gnomes and golems that Sylin had pointed out earlier had moved to Acorn Street. Even if she wasn’t doing anything wrong, she was reluctant to walk past them, lest they question her about who knew what. Why were patrollers lingering in the area anyway?
Yerin was waiting outside the diner, his notepad tucked away. Hopefully, he and Vormalt would walk off together.
