CHAPTER36
CONRAD
When Sage disappearedinto Roger’s study for the second day in a row, Conrad grew restless.As much as he would have liked to steal Sage away again, he couldn’t do that to Roger a second time.Considering how stressed Roger seemed at dinner the night before, it was reasonable to assume that whatever they were working on together was the cause of the stress.Conrad couldn’t deny Roger of Sage’s calming presence when it was needed most.
He found Wyndham, Keelan, Torquil, and Silas entertaining Peony in one of the sitting rooms and joined them.Wyndham was using his magic to whirl a piece of string in the air and the kitten was chasing after it.When the string spiraled in a small funnel of air, Peony flopped onto her back and batted at it with her paws.
“Is this how all fae play with their pets?”Conrad asked.
“To be honest, it hadn’t occurred to me to do it this way,” Keelan admitted.“My father has dogs.There are always a number of loose ribbons around my father’s room so we never had a shortage of these sorts of games, but we didn’t use magic for it.”
“I’ve never had a pet,” Torquil said.
“And I can’t use fae magic like these three can,” Silas said.He reached forward and tickled Peony’s chest.She turned her attention to him instead, batting at his fingers playfully.He laughed and covered her body with his large hand, swishing her gently across the floor.
Wyndham snatched the string out of the air and curled it around his finger idly.“Do you have pets, Conrad?”
He shook his head.“We couldn’t really afford it.But I do love animals.”
“You?Enjoy adorable creatures?Shocking,” Torquil said with a laugh.
“You sound like Sage,” he replied.
“Where is Sage anyway?”Emrys asked as he strolled into the room.
Conrad leaned back against his palms.“He’s working with Roger again.”
Emrys sank into a plush armchair.“Oh, that’s right.That secret party we’re not supposed to know about.”
Wyndham gave his brother a sharp look.
“What?”Emrys asked defensively.“You can’t pretend you don’t know about it.”
“Of course I know about it,” Wyndham snapped.“I’ve known for months.And I intend to act very surprised and delighted when it happens.”He glared.“And you would do well to do the same.”
“There’s going to be a party?”Conrad asked.
“For Wyndham’s birthday,” Emrys replied.“Roger is planning a huge surprise party in his honor.”
“Should be fun,” Keelan added.“Both Wyndham’s and Roger’s families will be there.There’ll be cake and music and dancing.”
“I have been working hard to discourage Emrys from following suit and surprising me for my birthday,” Torquil said dryly.“I’m not fond of dancing, nor of being the center of attention.”
“You’d be surprised how easy it is to be the center of attention when it’s what your spouse wants,” Wyndham remarked.
“Do you dance?”Keelan asked Conrad.
“A little.I know some country dances.”
“Perhaps we should teach you,” Emrys suggested.
“Excellent idea,” Wyndham said, standing abruptly.
Emrys blinked at his brother.“It is?”
“You’re bound to have one occasionally.But Conrad and I are both restless with Roger and Sage busy.It’s the distraction we need.”
“I’ll bet Imogen will play the piano for us,” Keelan suggested, getting up as well.
