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Lawrence looks down at us. Well, he looks down at me. Even standing a step up, he’s nearly eye-level with Roman. His pale eyes are shrewd as he considers us. “Hello?” It’s almost a question. “This is unusual.”
“Afternoon, Emrys,” Roman says calmly, as if he sees Councilman Lawrence every day. “Do you have a second?”
I turn and gape at him. It’s not only that he’s calling the councilman “Emrys” like they’re peers, it’s that he doesn’t seem nervous at all. I’m practically shaking, and I keep having to remind myself this was my damn idea to begin with.
“Of course,” Councilman Lawrence says pleasantly. “Come on in. Terrible weather, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I say, awkwardly.
As we step inside I immediately realize I was wrong to think this house was out of character. It’s small, but immaculately decorated and practically dripping in prestige. The dimly lit entryway has a large, old-fashioned coat rack in one corner and a floor-length silver mirror on the opposite wall. I blush when the councilman takes our coats, wondering if it’s obvious I’m not wearing my own scarf.
“Can I get either of you anything?” The Councilman asks as he leads us into the living room. “ I’ll admit I was about to go out so I don’t have much, but I can make coffee?”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “We should have called. Do you have to go?”
He waves us off. “No, I’m just going to dinner alone. I’m all yours.”
That makes me a little sad for him, and I don’t know what to say. “Coffee would be great, thanks.”
We sit while Lawrence retreats into the kitchen. His living room is full of antique furniture, crystal vases, and old paintings. The fireplace is lit and crackling, casting a warm glow over the room. The air smells of freshly brewed coffee and a hint of something else, something herbal and fragrant.
“Nervous?” Roman asks.
“No?” I lie.
He looks down his nose at me. “You’re shaking.”
I press my hands to my knees, which are held so tight together that honestly might be half the cause of my alleged shaking. “I’m fine.”
Roman smirks, like he is all too aware of what I’m thinking. “You’re such a bad liar, good girl. Maybe let me do the talking.”
“You’re a good liar then?” I scowl. “Is that supposed to make me feel safe and secure?”
“I’m decent, it depends. And you can feel whatever you want, it’s just a fact.”
I lick my lips, hating myself for my curiosity. “Depends on what?”
“If I care enough to bother.”
Councilman Lawrence returns with a tray and places it on the table in front of us before taking a seat on the green velvet sofa across from us. He draws a rune, and a silver pot begins to pour coffee of its own accord. “So, what can I do for you?”
I bite my lip, realizing that I should have planned out the answer to this question. It’s the obvious thing to say, and sitting and staring at Councilman Lawrence in silence is not only awkward it’s painfully rude. Yet, I have no idea how to voice what I want. It was embarrassing enough to voice it to Roman the other day, and I will probably remember that moment for the rest of my life. I can’t do it again.
Fortunately, I don’t have to.
I nearly melt with relief when Roman leans forward and takes charge of the conversation. “We’re here to discuss a solution to the…problem…that you identified the other night.”
The Councilman’s gaze falls on the bruise still healing on Roman’s face, and his gaze darkens for a moment. It’s funny, I’ve almost stopped registering his black eye. It looks much better now than it did the night of the auction—and as much as I hate to admit it, he looks sexy like that.
If Councilman Lawrence’s expression is anything to go on, he seems to think the bruise is a representation of all that is wrong with the world. “Enlighten me.”
Roman reaches for my hand and pulls it into his lap, like we’re really in love. “We’d like you to stand witness to our marriage.”
Roman says it so matter-of-factly, like he has absolutely no reservations. His expression is firm, but then he looks over at me and smiles. It lights up his entire face, and I have to stifle a gasp. If I was standing, I would need to sit.
Damn, heisgood at this.
I gape at him for a moment, before I remember to smile, like I’m in love and this is exactly what I want.
