Isa’s fingers continued to lightly beat out a chaotic rhythm. “I do not enjoy his company.”
“I cannot let you travel alone.”
“I’ll have Luca, and Blanca, and Cam.”
Her mother chuckled lightly. “Our dear servants are the most trustworthy people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, and I know they would literally give their lives to keep you safe, but there is more to this state of affairs and you know it.” She twisted her neck to look back at Isa. “Besides, Macklin can help you prepare the volumes as well.”
Isa snorted. “I’m sure his help would be most valuable if he could shut his mouth once in a while.”
“He does like the sound of his own voice, doesn’t he?” Her mother dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
Isa stopped the motion of her hands. “It is just the way he... He seems to think that I am unable to think for myself. Does he not realize I have studied all the same subjects he has, possibly even more? He merely sees a pretty face and assumes I am nothing more than that.”
Lady Bielsa reached up to her shoulder to place her hand over her daughter’s. “I’m afraid I cannot commiserate with you there, since you take after your grandmother. Her beauty skipped me, and your father was the only man who noticed that my mind was more interesting than his own.”
Isa leaned forward, looping her hands around her mother to give her a hug from behind the chair. “I love your story.”
Lady Bielsa kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Someday, my dearest Isabel, someone will see that you are even more wise than you are beautiful.”
Isa sighed. She wanted to believe her mother’s words, but her experience told her otherwise. She was of average height and considered herself awkwardly round in all the wrong places. Most Allysian women were short and slim, with naturally tanned skin and sleek, straight hair. Isa was curvy, and her thick, wavy dark hair grew in volume and texture when she combed it. She had always thought that her cheekbones were too high and her eyes too dark.
She had noticed some years ago that men would openly stare at her, lavishing their attention upon her while ignoring the friends standing next to her. She also heard the crude comments they made about her features when they thought she could not hear them.
When her own friends had slowly pulled away, jealous of the attention she received, Isa had begun to resent her own beauty. She threw herself into work with her father, where her looks and physical appearance had no sway in how well she could read, converse, or bind books.
A knock sounded at the door. “Sorry to disturb you, my lady.” The villa stewardess poked her head into the room. “The carriage is nearly ready.”
As the stewardess disappeared, Lady Bielsa moved to stand.
Isa held her in place for a moment longer. “Mama, what did the councilors threaten last night when you told them Papa was too ill to get Floutast to them?”
Lady Bielsa exhaled, her shoulders deflating. “It was nothing you need to worry about, my dear. Just get the books back safely.”
“Mama.”
“They said they would be forced to arrest your father for aiding and abetting the Majis.” Her mother’s voice was barely a whisper.
Isa stood up straight. “They would do that? When he has not been able to leave his bed in weeks? That’s not justified! If they arrest him, he’ll surely die in prison! He’s done nothing wrong! They cannot attack him for the inability to deliver something as trivial as Floutast!”
Lady Bielsa stood as well, placing a hand on Isa’s mouth. “Hush. They might hear you. It is their responsibility to keep the kingdoms safe. We do not know what they need this for. It was probably an idle threat just used to convey the urgency of their need.”
Isa pinched her lips. “They’ve acted on idle threats before. Marlena’s father hasn’t been seen since they took him to Chendas for questioning.”
“They are not titled,” Lady Bielsa replied, her face pale. “They won’t arrest a noble.”
“He isn’t titled,” Isa responded, “but he is the richest man in the city. They are getting more desperate and aggressive, which makes sense with what is happening in Iseldis. Even though it does feel unjust. Don’t worry, though, I’ll get the Floutast and return in six days, seven at most.”
As they left the bedroom, Isa’s heart simmered with outrage. Desperate or not, the Council would achieve nothing by throwing a sick man into jail.
In the courtyard, two servants loaded chests into the waiting carriage.
“Miss Isa.” Macklin approached her, a broad smile on his face. “I see you are looking forward to a relaxing holiday with me at this fabled vacation villa?”
Isa could not keep the confusion from her face.
His smile faltered slightly. “Seven trunks,” he explained, leaning down as though they were sharing a secret jest between the two of them. “That is a little much, don’t you think? Packing seven trunks for a short trip to the mountains. What do you plan on doing there, holding a private ball?” He raised his eyebrows. “Not that I would object, of course.”
Isa did not miss the small smirk on her mother’s face as Lady Bielsa walked past them to greet the two councilmen on the other side of the courtyard.
