“Yes.”
In a split second, the twins had kicked off their shoes and rushed into the stream. Following, with her dress bunched up to her knees, Nes waded in. She’d have preferred to leap, like the children. But unlike the young royals, her wardrobe was far less extensive, and she needed to keep her few dresses in working order.
Eventually, Fatema, the children’s second nanny, emerged into the clearing, calling them in for their activities. Grumbling, they splashed out of the stream and trudged behind the caretaker, shoes in hand. Nesrina waded out to pack up her lesson and replace her discarded shoes. But as the children’s yelps and giggles faded away into the forest, replaced by the chirping of birds and rustling in the underbrush, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to stick around a bit longer. It was so pleasant and peaceful, and that creek looked delectable in the oppressive heat.
This time, when she walked in, Nesrina didn’t bother hiking up her skirts. In nothing but her underdress, she flopped in, cooling her steaming skin. Then she half swam, half walked on her knees, upstream to where cobbles and boulders dammed up the way. The middle of the man-made swimming hole was deeper than she was tall, which wasn’t saying much, but it was a glorious sensation to kick her feet off the bottom and float, the sounds of the forest muffled by water covering her ears. Nesrina’s skirts fluttered out around her, adrift on the stifled current. For a moment, she considered stripping off her underdress too, for a proper swim, but it was too risky. What if the children came back? Still, it was so pleasant in the water, practically ice in contrast to the balmy day.
Gazing up at the clouds as she floated, Nes practiced weaving and releasing balls of chaos in the air. Eventually, she noticed the billowy front that so often hung over the Dhegur Peaks was creeping in their direction, expanding over the lands to the south of the mountain range. A storm was coming soon.
Making her way back to the house, she spotted the duke out for a stroll in the gardens rather than cooped up in his study. He eyed her strangely as she passed, probably wondering at her soaked hair.
Changed into fresh clothes, tangled locks braided, she grabbed hercurrent book and went off to the northern gardens. There was a great willow tree to read beneath. Later, one particular guard would get off shift and come to find her. They’d share a few kisses amidst the summer blooms before heading inside for dinner with their peers.
She had a nice routine.
Rihanheldopenthenorth door, ushering her into Stormhill after their . . .walkin the garden. Slipping by, Nes batted her lashes, looking up into his golden-brown eyes.
“Miss Kiappa.”
Her attention was forced from the beam of light that was the guard to the encroaching shadow of the duke.
“Lord Kahoth.” She nodded, retaking Rihan’s arm, ready to continue on her way to the kitchens.
“A word?”
Nesrina stopped before the impossibly tall man, reluctantly letting her guard go. Rihan drifted down the hall, bestowing her one of his signature winks and mouthing, “Have fun,” before disappearing around the corner.
“Yes?”
He had no words, only handed her a letter from her mother and stood there, silently, blocking her egress.
She could walk back outside, but that would be odd. Did he want her to read it in front of him? Never mind his intent, she was too excited to hear from her mama. Breaking open the simple seal, she smiled at the familiar script.
It was a note of thanks for the extra funds. Mama was now in a position to retire in the coming months. She hoped Nesrina was doing well, making new friends, getting on with her charges, and— Suddenly aware that the duke stood not three feet away, fiddling with his shirt cuff, Nes pocketed her letter and stopped tapping her foot beneath her skirts.
“Good?” he asked.
“Good news? Yes.” She beamed, far too happy for her mother to care that she was conversing with the bizarre duke. He was, in a roundabout way, the reason for her happiness—him and his shoddy diet.Ah.She should earn that extra coin. “Have you eaten dinner today?”
He grunted. “Is your mother in on this plot to make me gain weight?” His tone was inscrutable.
“She is not, but... consider her a stakeholder.”
He snorted, and she hoped it was one of amusement.
She couldn’t make sense of the duke. He seemed to drift about his own home: sometimes in the library, sometimes out in the grass, sometimes in a hallway, standing awkwardly or rushing away. Was she doing something wrong? It was genuinely hard to tell. He wasn’t like other aristocrats. Not that she knew many. Papa always said they were sociable but smarmy, ingratiating when there was something to be gained. And if there was something for her to gain in return, Nes should tread lightly and get away before she lost herself to the glitz.
It was time to find Rihan—and the staff—and eat with her people in the kitchen.
“I must return to work,” the duke declared, as if she was the one keeping him in the hall.
Perfectly timed.Nesrina smirked as he walked away, his tan trousers tight across his bottom. She wasn’t looking—not really. He towered, and she was tiny. His arse was basically eye level.
“Miss Kiappa—” He paused, and she flung her gaze to a painting of a wolfhound on the wall. “Should the weather turn, the central parlor can be used for your lessons.”
When the door to his office clicked closed, followed by the telltalethunkof the lock sliding into place, Nesrina turned down the north gallery and scurried away to catch up with her guard.
HerthirddayatStormhill had ended in a downpour, and her fourth began with a drizzle. It showed no sign of stopping. Nesrina followed her morning routine to a T: breakfast and tea, locate a book to read, read said book, lunch, then teach.
