Page 9 of Uncrowned

“You’re certain Lord Allford has a secret marriage agreement with Mr. Taylor for his daughter, Penelope?”

The blond guard nodded. “My cousin works for Mr. Taylor’s company, Sire. John Smith is the only John closely connected to the family. Lord Allford is Allen’s best friend. His wife has cancer. There’s talk she won’t make it much longer. My cousin says he overheard Mr. Taylor on the phone the other day. He was inquiring on a country home closer to the Allford estate. Something about his wife wanting to be closer to their daughter once she marries. From what I’ve heard, her father is quite desperate for that title, and he’s doing whatever he can to obtain it, even forcing his daughter into the marriage.”

“Forcing?”

“There’s talk. My cousin said there was a dinner party. Ms. Penelope’s lip was cut down the middle. It was a bit swollen. The lipstick couldn’t hide it. Mr. Taylor is known to have a temper, and from what I hear, his daughter isn’t too keen on His Lordship.”

“I hear that as well. Tell me what you know of Lord Allford.”

The guard shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable at my deepening tone.

“Early fifties. Smug bastard. He acts as if the crown sits on his own head. Lots of talk about him. He likes the young ones.”

“Young? How young?”

“I don’t know an exact age, but I hear early teen. The younger the better. There’s been allegations. He pays them off. The last wasn’t so quick to take the money though. Word spread but died for the most part.”

“Died.” I nodded. “Thank you. Go to The Reeve. Tell him I sent you.”

“Thank you. Thank you, Sire.”

Sire. Not Unavowed, not yet… Sire.

“Will you give her a funeral to attend?”

I turned, watching Redmond sip his wine as he stood by the fireplace. We were in his study inside The Order.

It was technically mine. My space. My legacy.

Books lined the shelves, and I headed to the small globe beside the large oak desk, spinning it as I let my finger brush along the surface.

“Your silence tells me you will.”

I added pressure, taking in the location of my finger as it came to a stop in the middle of the ocean.

“She gave me a name. Why should I not give her a gift?”

“So, you’ve decided? Is it Taylor, then?”

“This is not a decision one makes lightly.” Redmond took a long drink as I lifted my hand to cross my arms over my chest. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t at least try to woo my Intended? She wanted a funeral; I’ll give her one. It’s a gift. Am I not generous?”

“Oh, yes.” He smiled. “You most definitely are. But you’ll expect something in return.”

“Naturally.”

“And what’s that?”

“Time.”

Redmond’s brow creased.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“You will soon enough. First, we start planning something for Lord Allford. As much as I’d love to kill him now, it’s not the time.”

“I agree. I’ll look into options.”

“Good. I have to go.” I went to turn, stopping to take in the High Master sitting in for me until I was ready. Redmond was older but sharp and fit. Where he was calm, he was ruthless. I didn’t overlook that as he watched me. “I will be moving locations again. I think it’ll be my last move until I take my place. The time is close. Maybe a year. Maybe less.”