Understanding dawns on me. He's agreed to this marriage because it will ultimately absorb House Tufflion into House Rothorne, along with all its riches and assets. I suppose it could be undone if Lady Ermentrude outlives my brother and doesn't have an heir of her own, but I'm sure my father won't let that happen.
I look at Bastian. I doubt my brother will either. Right now, he's angry because his choice has been taken away from him, just like mine has, but when he calms down, I'm sure Lord Fallmartin will spell out to him all the reasons this union is a good idea and his apparent thirst for power and riches will take over.
"The wedding will be in a month's time," Lord Fallmartin continues. "And we'll be announcing the betrothal at our dear Eliza's wedding to Lord Tyberan next week."
My cousin beams, still seeming happy with her wedding arrangements. I wouldn't be in her position, but I suppose it's a good thing she's happy.
"But for now, I would like to raise a toast to my son and heir, Lord Bastian, and to his future wife, Lady Ermentrude," Lord Fallmartin says, picking up his goblet and raising it.
Around the table, all of the assembled guests do the same, though it does nothing to improve Bastian's mood. I'm glad I have plans to be out of the House Rothorne apartments this afternoon, because I certainly don't want to be inside them.
NINE
The moment I get to the top of the stairs, I realise I'm not feeling as nervous as I could be in this situation. I don't know how things are going to go with Linc after our kiss, but I'm certain that it's going to work out the way it should.
Until I end up betrothed to a stranger, but I'm trying not to get too caught up in that.
The table we normally sit at is empty, and disappointment floods through me at the possibility of Linc deciding he doesn't want to spend time with me any more.
Except that I told him I wanted to meet in his private room from now on, so maybe he's already there. I take a deep breath and make my way there.
His bodyguard sees my approach and tips his head in my direction, giving me hope that I've been approved to go in. Even so, I knock a couple of times.
"Come in," Linc calls.
I push the door open and step inside. A fire is roaring in the grate and there are refreshments waiting on the table, along with several books.
"Hi," I say nervously.
His face lights up. "Hi," he responds, getting to his feet. His waistcoat is crinkled from the way he's been lounging, but it makes him seem much more at ease than he was in the beginning. "I have another book for you."
"Oh?"
He gestures to the table, and I drift over to it without meaning to.
"It's this one," Linc says, leaning over and putting his hand on the book in front of me, bringing him impossibly close.
I'm suddenly aware of nothing other than the heat radiating from him, and my heart racing in my chest.
His breath fans against my skin he's so close, but instead of pulling away, I find myself wanting to get closer.
I turn my head, meeting his gaze and seeing him looking at me with an intensity that can only be matched by how I'm feeling.
Without thinking, I wet my lips and his gaze lowers to them, something akin to hunger entering his expression.
He finally moves his hand from the book, but it hovers over where mine is hanging by my side.
I'm so caught up in the moment that I'm barely aware of twisting around so I'm facing him, or him stepping closer. It's only when his lips are on mine that I realise what all of this has been leading to.
There's nothing hesitant about our kiss, and it's different from the one last night. Hungrier. Full of something more than just emotion. Everything inside me is on fire as I deepen it, pushing myself against him.
Linc tangles one hand in my hair, pulling some of the pins loose, while his other arm snakes around my waist and pulls me even closer. I wrap my arms around his neck and fully give myself over to all of the feelings racing around within me.
We break apart, both of us breathing heavily and it's like I have two heartbeats instead of one. Until I realise that's not true. I can just hear his blood racing.
I touch my lips, the tingle from his kiss still there and the taste lingering on my tongue. I don't even know what to do with the whole situation right now, I just know that something big just happened between us and neither of us are going to be able to ignore it for long.
We stare at one another, neither seeming quite sure what to say to one another. This kind of situation is new to me, especially when at court.
