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“Not a bit,” I reply, “but it looks like you might need a nap.” “Here they are.” Nathan plucks a pair of cufflinks from the corner of the dresser. “I don’t have time to sleep. I’m scheduled to have tea with our mother-in -law.” “Tea, why?” I ask. I’m instantly on alert. I’m willing to give Nathan the benefit of the doubt, but any meeting with the queen that I’m not attending is suspect, at best. Nathan turns and looks at me, considering. I suspect he’s trying to decide if he can slip out of the conversation without answering my question. I give him a stare that clearly says he won’t leave without answering my question. Nathan sighs heavily.
“The truth?” he asks. “I didn’t ask the question because I wanted to hear one your colorful lies.” “I prefer the term elegant deceptions,” Nathan replies. Nathan is trying my patience. “Why?” I ask again, taking a deep breath as I button my shirt. “I think Ileana is up to something?” he says. “Up to something?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Yes, I don’t know what, but all of this has been too easy. So I arranged to have tea with her, so I can do a bit of investigating.”
“I’m inclined to agree. Ileana resisted making an alliance for years, and now suddenly she changes her mind. It’s cause for concern, but if you suspect the queen of something, confront her out right.” “Do you expect a woman like Ileana to simply tell me she’s planning to usurp the throne?” Nathan says. “Of course not. And that’s exactly why I think having tea with her is a waste of time. She isn’t going to tell you anything because you compliment her.”
“Oh my particular set of skills consists of far more than compliments. I’ve made many reveal their secrets without realizing what they’ve done.”
“You think you can charm the queen into a slip of the tongue.” I don’t laugh in his face, but it’s a near thing, a very near thing. Nathan must sense my disdain for his methods. “What would you prefer I do? Twist her arm and demand the truth?” Nathan says. “I don’t twist arms, but I do prefer a direct approach.” “I’ve heard rumors . . . But none the less, your approach only works with an honest opponent.” “I’ve found properly applied force works as well on dishonest men as an honest one,” I say.
“Yes, but more truth can be bought with fondness than fear.”
Perhaps, for some but it takes time, and time is not always on our side. Persuasion doesn’t take time if you master it. And threats lose their power if fear of death isn’t behind them.” “Who says the threat of death isn’t behind them?”
Nathan raises an eyebrow. “You can’t kill everyone.”
“True,” I concede, “ but sometimes death is necessary.” “Unfortunately that’s true, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to refrain from threatening or killing the queen. It would be bad for diplomacy and no doubt get our marriage off on the wrong foot and frankly, upsetting Isadora is the last thing I want,” Nathan says, pulling on his jacket and looking away from me as though he feels he’s said too much. I put my shoes on and give myself a quick glance in the mirror. “You love her don’t you?” He turns and looks at me. “Is it so obvious?” “Yes, but I suspect that’s only because I love her, too. I suppose then we have something in common.” “It appears that we do.” “And would you happen to know where Isadora is this morning?” I ask. “I believe she said something about a calming walk in the gardens. I imagine you’ll know where to find her,” Nathan says with a slight smirk.
“I imagine I will,” I say with a smirk of my own.
Chapter Twelve
Isadora
I walk down the garden path to the clearing where I first kissed Vincent. The sun is warm across my shoulders, and a light breeze blows through my hair. The feel of my silken strands against my skin reminds me of a lover’s touch. I came out to the garden to clear my head. I don’t think it’s going to work. All I can think about is last night and the Bedding Ceremony.
I sit down on one of the stone benches. It’s warmed from the sun, and close my eyes trying to will my mind to think of something else. The problem is I can’t think of anything else except Vincent and Nathan. Here alone in the quiet of the garden with my eyes closed, I can practically feel Vincent’s hands and hear Nathan’s voice. What kind of woman am I turning into? There was a time when I would have dreaded the thought of having sex with not one but two men in front of the highest ranking members of the court. Now I feel like someone completely different.
