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She managed a light laugh. “How did that silly bit of news travel all the way across Corcannon to reach your ears? It was nothing.”
He frowned. He had the typical Chibani coloring—fair skin, blue eyes, dark hair—but a frown could make him look thunderous. “It didn’t sound like nothing. A man comes in off the streets andattacksyou—”
“He didn’t attackme.There were five of us sitting at a table and he just ran in our direction. I think he planned to grab as many jewels as he could manage in a few quick swipes, and then run out the door. I just happened to be the first one he reached for.”
“He tried tostrangleyou!”
She laughed nervously. “It did feel like that,” she admitted. “But the guards were on him almost instantly. I wasn’t harmed at all.”
“Except for the bruises on your throat that you’re trying to conceal with a scarf.”
She made a small indignant sound and touched the twisted folds of colorful cloth. “This is a fashionable accent, I will have you know.”
He made an imperious motion. “Show me your neck.”
“No! Don’t be ridiculous! A madman tried to rob a table full of rich women, but he didn’t succeed, and none of us are the worse for the adventure. There is nothing in that story to get you all worked up.”
He glared at her. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been in danger,” he said.
She stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“Two months ago. In the Quatrefoil. Someone pushed you in front of a gridcar.”
“Someone tripped, and webothfell down, and the car didn’t hit us.”
“You could have died!”
“He would have died right alongside me! I hardly think anybody would do that on purpose!”
“And there was that physician—”
“Reese! You’re being ridiculous! My father called him to the house because I was already ill! He didn’tpoisonme, even though the medicine made me sicker.”
His fierce gaze was fixed upon her face. “Well, that’s three times in the past six months that someone has almost killed you, and in that same period of time, no one has almost killed me once. And I find that very peculiar.”
“I find it peculiar, too,” she said sharply, “since I want to kill you every time I see you.”
Abruptly, his frown lifted and he smiled. “So how are you, Madeleine?” he said simply. “I’ve missed you.”
Her flush reappeared, hotter this time. “I’m well. Busy. I’m—just the same as always.”
“I suppose you’ve been planning the wedding.”
“I suppose I have.”
“And have you decided yet where you’ll live? In the city, or on the Wellenden estates in Marata?”
This was excruciating. “We’ll split our time, I imagine. I think Tivol’s mother would like him to spend more time in Marata as it is, but he is not as fond of country living as she is, so he’s rarely there.”
Reese’s expression was sardonic. “How surprising.”
She felt defensive. “He’s quite busy.”
“He’s a young hedonist who doesn’t care about anything except his own pleasure.”
“That’s not true! Heloise trusts him to conduct all her city business for her, and he works very hard.”
Reese made a scoffing sound. “He works very hard four or five hours a week, I suppose. The rest of the time I think he merely enjoys himself.”
