Genevieve and I sat eating our dinner of roast chicken, potatoes, and greens. Tori was seated to her father’s right. There were no places set for Vicky or Ria, so I assumed the girls did not find formal dinners particularly amusing.
“When did you move in?” I asked, looking up at the fresco of bare-bottomed angels on the ceiling.
“Six months ago,” Tori answered after swallowing a mouthful of chicken. “Around the time when Pa made Captain Greenwood his sword.”
“Ah, yes, a fine sword that was,” Lord Strongfoot said, stroking his beard. “For a finer man, if I must say so myself.”
I raised my brow, thinking back to what Lydia had said about Captain Greenwood and his affair with the queen.
“It is awfully generous of the captain to grant you all this,” Genevieve said.
“Not just generous, my girl. He is the most honorable man I have ever met, and I’m not saying that because he gave me this grand old house and a title of my own,” Lord Strongfoot said with a wink. “There are countless stories about his bravery and comradery. There’s never been a soldier quite as respectable as him. Fearless in battle and faithful to the king.”
“And faithful to his wife, I hope?” I said, keeping my tone polite.
Lord Strongfoot looked at me from over the rim of his goblet, his bushy brows raised high. He took a swig of wine. “You’ve heard those nasty rumors about him and the queen, I suppose?”
I nodded, feeling somewhat ashamed.
“I must admit I had my doubts about the matter too. After all, how could they explain the unexpected birth of Prince Ash? Something like that can’t be kept in the dark.”
“And heaven knows how to prove someone’s legitimacy,” Tori mumbled over a forkful of greens. “There’s really no saying whose son he is. It’s all based on witnesses and word of mouth.”
“Exactly. But after I met the captain, I knew he would never do such a thing,” Lord Strongfoot said. He picked up a fork and speared a piece of chicken. “You would too, I think, but I doubt debutantes will meet any of the Royal Guard. Hardly anyone does. Their job is to stay hidden.”
I pushed a carrot around my plate and wondered what Prince Ash thought about the whole affair. How could he possibly stand the notion that his supposed illegitimate birth impacted the way people viewed him, and even viewed the queen?
I paused. How would people view me, if they knew I was a witch? I shook my head and continued to eat. It was a ridiculous thought. If things went my way, no one would.
I only hoped my magic would stay under control until Theodora and Rowena got rid of it.
9
“We have a tea socialwith the queen,” Tori announced the next day.
Genevieve looked up from her sketch. We received a letter from the palace this morning, containing the invitations and description of the Season events.
