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Given that course of action, Tielle opted for remaining downstairs. Following her stormy departure from the dining room, she took refuge in the library, which had always been one of her favorite places to retreat to. She had one of the cook staff deliver her dinner there. The chill of the evening made it suitable to build a fire, so Tielle curled up on the sofa in front of the enormous hearth. The structure spanned a broad portion of the wall beneath the library’s second level of bookcases.
She was indulging in the first course—a hearty, gooey potato soup—when the wide cherrywood door creaked open to admit Grae’s tall frame. In one hand, he balanced a wooden tray that carried large portions of that evening’s meal. In his other hand, he carried a large mug of frothy beer, which he gulped from while making his way into the library.
Tielle smiled, realizing he believed he was alone in the big space. “Hello,” she said once he’d set down the tray.
Grae turned with surprising swiftness for a man his size. “Tel,” he breathed out.
“Did I scare you?” she asked.
“Relieved me.”
She laughed. “Sorry.”
“No need. I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
Tielle only waved a hand. “There’s been enough apologizing for one night.” She focused on stirring her soup.
“Definitely,” Grae agreed and then motioned to the sofa she occupied. “You mind?”
Tielle continued to stir. “Will I find myself on my back if I let you sit next to me?”
His low, easy chuckles filled the room. “That won’t happen for at least another half hour. I’m too hungry and aggravated to put you in any compromising positions.”
“Ah…so that’s the secret…” Tielle savored a spoonful of soup.
“Secret’s right, so keep it to yourself,” Grae playfully suggested.
“Whatever works, right? I think I feel better being tucked away in my favorite place.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Grae said. “I remember how much you always enjoyed it, thought some of that might rub off.”
“Grae, how long do you think everyone’s gonna tolerate Faro’s bonding time before they hit the road?”
“Hard to say.” Graedon cut into one of the thick bourbon scallion chicken strips. “I think everybody’s still too curious about what he’s up to.” He winced. “Sorry for sounding suspicious.”
“I think you’re right.” Tielle stirred the creamy soup. “The situation calls for a fair amount of suspicion.”
Her admission caught Grae off guard. “Do tell,” he urged.
She shrugged and enjoyed another helping of soup. “Something feels off.”
“Insincere?”
“I don’t know…forced somehow, maybe? Like he’s looking for something.”
“Yeah…” Grae spoke around the cream spinach pinwheel he’d just popped into his mouth.
“Guess it’s still too early to get any real line on what he’s after. We’ll probably be here the whole time trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“Great.” Grae’s agitation was more pronounced over the realization of how far he was from tackling the issues between himself and Tielle.
They ate in silence for a time. When they’d had their fill of dinner, they remained on the sofa. The fire’s raging intensity worked its magic, weighing their eyelids, rendering their bodies boneless as relaxation set in.
* * *
Overnight, the promised heavy snow set in. The atmosphere provided perfect sleeping weather, but in Desree Clegg’s room, sleep wasn’t in session. Des sat around a coffee table laden with all the fixings for a well-stocked tea party. Joining her were three of her cousins.
Conversation had taken a backseat to delighting in the array of teas and fattening pastries decorating the table. Slowly, discussion worked its way back into the gathering.
“I think we should thank him for treating us to a dazzling weekend and then hit the road first thing in the morning,” Desree said.
Layla snorted. “This is a gorgeous place, Des, and Faro’s footin’ the bill. No need to act too hasty.” She added another cream Danish to her saucer. “And that snow’s been coming down steady for over an hour. Chances are good the road’s been cut off, anyway.”
