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“And then Luke had to leave House Vitruvian at the same time,” my mother continued, as if it were a tragedy.
I did my best not to let the corners of my mouth tug upward with amusement.So she’s going to blame Al for me not wanting to date Karina Dempsey as well as my leaving House Vitruvian?My mother knew very well why I’d left Jay’s House, and it wasn’t because of Al. Even before Al showed up at Court, I’d been planning my departure from House Vitruvian.
“Obviously, he was sad to see us go, Mother, but Jay is pleased to have a representative of House Bellamy on the High Council once again,” I said, taking a not-so-subtle jab at my father. “And you should hear Jay sing Al’s praises still,” I added.
My mother held Jay and his House in the highest regards. She would have tried to marry me off to Jay’s daughter if he had one, I thought with a chuckle. But the latest news around Court was that Jay and his wife were expecting a baby boy.
“Al has already had great success in her role assenior counselorfor House Dumont,” I continued.
I emphasized Al’s title, making it clear that her current position was a promotion over her previous role as liaison at House Vitruvian. I didn’t normally feel the need to come to Al’s aid like this. She was more than capable of handling herself. She excelled at the mind games at the High Court. A conversation with my mother would be no different. But I felt responsible for putting Al in this situation to begin with.
“Due to Al’s efforts, and a little help from Rhett, a lesser fae liaison has now been placed with every House at the High Court,” I bragged.
My mom wasn’t nearly as clueless about the goings-on of the High Court as she pretended to be. I saw a minuscule showing of respect flitter across her face before disappearing behind her austere demeanor.
“Luke humbly leaves out the significant part he played in getting the lesser fae back at the High Court,” Al interjected, equally loyally.
“My lady,” Al said before my mother could launch into her next line of questioning. “If you will excuse me, I have just spotted Lady James in need of my presence on the dance floor. You have a lovely estate, and I thank you so much for your…hospitality,” Al said with a small, respectful bow of her head.
I knew that Al just barely kept the bite out of her words, but even her forced kindness contrasted with the words and intent of my mother in such a way that there was no doubt where the unkindness in the conversation had originated. Al pulled away from me, and I reluctantly let her go, sliding my hand down her slim arm.
After Al departed, I squared my shoulders to my mother. I knew she meant well and was just doing what she thought was best for me and our House, but I meant what I told Al before. It was time for my mother’s nonsense to come to an end. My mother looked back at me serenely.
“Mother, do you have a problem with me bringing Al home for the weekend?” I asked, cutting to the chase. “We’ll happily stay over at the cottage and not attend the Summer Ball if you do,” I threatened with a tight smile.
We could easily stay on my estate and never see another soul if we didn’t want to. Of course, my mother would rather swallow a toad than have me miss the Summer Gala.
“She is a sweet young woman,” my mother responded. “But, Luke dear, don’t you think it’s unfair to get something going with the girl when you will be taking up Karina Dempsey so soon?” my mother asked.
We both knew my mother’s concern was not for Al. She just wanted to use our conversation as an opportunity to talk about House Dempsey. It was simply appalling that we were at war with Alancia and still all everyone ever seemed to care about was who was going to marry whom. With Jay’s miracle baby on the way, there was a renewed vigor for talks of alliances through marriage and heirs.
“Mother,” I replied through my clenched teeth, my tone a warning. “I can handle Karina—”
“Handle, my dear?” she began reproachfully. “The King expects—”
“I know what the King expects,” I interjected. “I am the only one who haseverlooked out for this family at the High Court. I made a promise, and I will deliver on my promise to the King. And the promises I made to you. I will take Karina to the Fall Ball, and I will entertain her for some time after.Butyour meddling, it ends now, Mom,” I said firmly.
For too long, I’d let my mother run with her machinations, because I’d never cared. But now… “And I hope that next time you run into Al, you find some kinder words for her. She is a part of my life, and she isn’t going anywhere.”
My speech had perhaps stirred enough emotion in my mother to turn her blank face into one of small intrigue. I held my mother’s gaze, waiting for her retort. When none came, I turned from my beautiful mother and went to find Rhett and a strong drink. I ended up finding my drink first and Rhett second.
“Where’d James go off to?” I asked, dipping my head to take a sip of my scotch.
Rhett jerked his head to the dance floor, where James and Al emerged from the crowd, laughing and dancing together to a fast-paced song. Al looked so beautiful when she allowed laughter to lift the burdens she tried so very hard to hide inside. I took another sip, drinking deeply.
“I heard that Al didnotget your mother’s stamp of approval,” Rhett commented, cutting his eyes to the side toward me.
“Surprise, surprise, the woman who was not hand-selected by my mother is found to be lacking. And as if having my mother in my business is not enough, now the King is interested in analliancebetween House Bellamy and House Dempsey as well,” I replied, tiring of the topic.
“There isnothinglacking about Al,” Rhett said loyally.
“Rhett, I know that. And I told my mother as much too,” I said.
“Did you now?” Rhett replied with a raised eyebrow.
“I did. We all know the only thinglackingabout Al is that her family does not control most of the ports in the northeast,” I said.
“Wow, is that the going rate of your dowry these days, mate? I would have thought for certain that a couple of cows and a shiny piece of silver would have carried the day for some lucky lady,” Rhett teased.
