“Whatever do you have to discuss with my husband? Aren’t you––”
“My lord, what a surprise to find you here,” came the sound of her husband from down the hall.
Already Cassian had turned away and was striding off. Like she was entirely forgotten. Her mouth dropped in disbelief athis curt behavior, so she hastened into the hall to see the two gentlemen drawing close to one another.
“My study is around the corner. Shall we?”
“That would be best, yes.”
“Do you need me?” Verity called to them hopefully, only to be ignored. She furrowed her brow as she watched them go.
Both gentlemen bowed their heads to speak quietly with each other as though they worried being overheard. Neither looked back her way. The distance between the two of them was greater than she would anticipate amongst friends. And her single glimpse of a face in the shadowed hall showed Cassian scowling.
Sometimes I wonder if they really are friends. But what else would they be? If only I could eavesdrop…
She considered it a moment before recalling Elowen. Her sister was here! Guilt sunk into her stomach as she hastened back to the room where the young woman was seated neatly and patiently, her body never moving except for her eyes curiously pondering the spacious room.
“I’m terribly sorry for running out of here like I did,” Verity said as she returned, pausing to pull the bell rung. “I had thought Cassian might join us. Did he say why he wished to speak with my husband?”
“I didn’t know he wanted to,” Elowen answered. “That’s a lovely painting. French, I suppose?”
She glanced at the corner framed painting of doves. Her sister adored birds, had confessed a dream years ago about practicing falconry. Everyone had talked her out of it, of course. “I suppose so. Why do you think Cassian is here?”
“I asked him and Lucien to escort me here yesterday. You always preferred visits earlier in the week. I remembered that. I wished to come visit you like we said we might. We couldn’t then because Octavia had too many suitors visiting.”
“Ah, I see.”
So Elowen asked to come, and yet Cassian…
The door opened and they paused the conversation as the tea tray was delivered by one of the maids. As it was brought over, set aside by a platter of pastries and grapes, Verity glanced toward the open hallway.
If only she could be a part of the gentlemen’s conversation. What might she learn? What sort of secrets did these men carry?
“Verity?”
“Hm? Oh! I’m sorry, I was… distracted. That was a lovely pour,” Verity said, noting how her sister handed her a cup. Serving was a skill of balance and control that Elowen always struggledwith, so her family was determined to help her improve. Mostly, Verity feared it was simply her nerves.
“Thank you. Are you certain you are well? If this is a bad time…”
“Not at all. But thank you for caring. I am glad you came today instead of yesterday. And Cassian, it’s nice that he came along as well. I wonder what he could have wanted,” she added lightly, musing over the topic. “Perhaps he and my husband are long-time friends. Do you think that’s possible?”
Elowen tilted her head to seriously understand the question. “Cassian didn’t seem to recognize the house or the study. Perhaps they are only friends over at the gentlemen’s club? It could be they attend the same one.”
“I suppose so. Hm. I only wonder what they want. What do you think, Elowen? What is Cassian doing here?”
“I don’t believe I could guess at all,” her sister murmured before taking a polite sip of tea. “Only that Cassian appears more serious than ever. This morning, I mean. He’s very serious. Perhaps he’s concerned about you and His Grace.”
Amusement spread through her chest. Cassian was concerned? She had begun to wonder what she even meant to him. What anyone in their family meant to him. Though she sought to mean well, she simply didn’t understand him anymore.
“Verity?”
“Hm?”
“How is His Grace? Are you well here? Happy, I hope?”
The wide-eyed earnestness of her sister had Verity feeling guilty for allowing herself to be distracted. “Oh, yes. Yes, of course I’m happy. I wanted this match, Elowen. I’m a duchess with a household of my own.”
A relieved smile crossed over Elowen. “That is so good to hear. Some matches made, I heard things, and… Worry.”
