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I very much liked Drust and its nature. “Pray tell, what forced you to visit such uncivilization?”
“My family owns a bank in the area, and sometimes I am called to check up on the running of things,” he said as the maid returned with our tea and nibbles.
“Oh, so you are a banker?” I offered him a cup of tea.
“Yes. My family owns property in several counties, and it allows me to travel throughout the country.”
Finally, something we shared in common. “I can say I am quite well-traveled, or at least more traveled than many my age, with my uncle and aunt.”
“Is it not horrible?” He chuckled, and my shoulders fell slightly. “The long journeys, terrible roads, and I have yet to find an inn up to snuff.”
“Yes.” I nodded through the boredom.
And one, two, three. And one, two, three. The music played on in my mind, and I imagined myself dancing in the trees in Drust or the flower fields of Belclere. The sky bright and the air clean. I imagined myself running and laughing far too loudly. I thought of the horse I wished to ride as fast as its legs would allow. The cakes I could eat as I watched the sky. I thought of many things, and the duke—Evander—was there. It was not fair, for all the things I loved now and had loved as a child, he was in those memories alongside me.
“Forgive me. I am rambling on, but I must admit I have never been at such ease speaking to a lady before,” Tristian said.
There was a twinge of guilt within me. “Thank you, and thank you for coming to see me. It is getting quite late.”
“Yes, of course,” he replied. “If you do not mind, may I call upon you again?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Good day to you, Lady Aphrodite.”
“And you, Mr. Yves.”
He took a step back and nearly tripped over the foot of the table. He laughed awkwardly before turning to my mother. “Your ladyship.”
“Do tell your mother I said hello.”
“Certainly. She would very much like to speak with you—Imean meet you whenever you would like,” he stammered.
My mother merely nodded, and it took some time for him to gather himself to leave. When he was gone, I exhaled deeply.
“You do not like him,” my mother said, now at my side.
“What do you mean? He is a fine—”
“You do not like him. And he is clearly smitten with you. Entertaining him will give him hope. Can you be responsible for that?” she questioned, looking into my eyes. “For if you allow him to come down this road and are not prepared to give him an answer to his liking at the end, you would be very cruel, my dear.”
“Mama, it is only the second time I have spoken to him.” Surely, he did not plan to propose to me so quickly.
“In his mind, it is the thousandth time, for that is the nature of loving someone. They conquer your every thought, so while you may have met only once or twice, to him, it feels like many times before.”
I knew not what to say, as that sounded like madness, and yet I knew the feeling.
“Careful, my dear. The pride of a man is far too dangerous to trifle with.”
“I seek not to trifle with nor be cruel to anyone. I am merely doing as you instructed. I do not understand how a lady is meant to be amenable but not too amenable, for she may either look desperate or offend the pride of men. If I was to refuse to entertain his company at all, I would be branded a snob.”
“My dear, you are going through what we all must and you will find your way, I swear it,” she replied, cupping my cheek but offering very little answer, as always. Our whole lives, we were merely told to trust. To ask no question or seek any explanations.
“You have yet to tell me what was discussed between you and Evander.”
“Mama, why are you so set on Evander?”
She cupped both sides of my face. “Because you are!”
