Page 22 of Stars May Burn

He inclined his head slightly. “You may do whatever you wish with any part of the property. You don’t need my permission.”

I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. He couldn’t really mean that, could he? This place had been his home for many years, and he seemed to care deeply about it. If the court and his family were always against him, it had to be his sanctuary.

“Thank you.” I nodded again but he was already striding away.

A flicker of excitement awoke inside me. I knew I should be more concerned by his continued lack of interest in me, but he had said yes to my request. I could have my own patch of garden. Frederick had always told me no, not wanting me to spend too long in the sun and dirt. Miss Claris had agreed it was not very ladylike and recommended I ask him again once I had a few children. But now there was nothing to stop me.

I turned to Lucy, Beatrice, and Meena. “May we go to the gardens now?”

KASTEN

The sun was lowering to the horizon when Sophie left the gardens, and I could no longer see her from my window. She had done little more than putter around and inspect the place, asking questions of the gardeners who had all removed their caps in surprise when they were spoken to. She was terrible at remembering to keep in the shade of the parasol Lucy carried, and the maid had eventually given up.

The reports and maps and endless supply lists still littered my desk, but it was pleasant to be able to lift my gaze from them now and again and see her happily immersed in the garden. It lifted some of the heaviness from my shoulders and reminded me that the world would continue, even after I was gone, and it wouldn’t all be pain and bloodshed and darkness. My wife would make things grow and flourish.

Once Sophie had disappeared, the restlessness returned. I summoned Lucy and drank a glass of whiskey, glad that Callum hadn’t returned from his workshop yet.

The maid had only half stepped through the door when I started to question her, too impatient to wait on formalities. “How is she getting on?”

She bobbed a curtsy and beamed. “Oh, she’s wonderful, my lord. So kind and considerate.” I could hear the unspoken words. Unlike what we’re used to.

I grunted and looked back out the window, but there was nothing there to catch my interest now. “She seems happy?”

“Yes, my lord. Though she has asked about seeing you again several times today. Dining with you in particular. She’s anxious to meet you properly.”

My heart dropped. “She’ll understand soon enough that I won’t be a large part of her life here. It won’t be long until the next campaign.”

Confusion flickered across the maid’s face, but she lowered her gaze and nodded.

“Have you learned anything new about her?”

“She likes tea but dislikes coffee. She was most interested in the herb garden. Her questions to the gardeners sounded quite knowledgeable.”

I nodded. “Hopefully, she can change it all to suit her. Have we got tea to her liking?”

Lucy’s lips pressed together as if to limit her smile. “I think so, my lord.” Was she laughing at me?

“Well, ensure we give her a good selection. Speak to the kitchen staff if needed.”

She bobbed a curtsy. “Oh, and tomorrow she has requested a formal meeting with Mistress Rose.”

I ran a finger over my jawline. “If you experience any problems there, do let me know. She should be allowed to manage things as she sees fit, but as I’ve previously said, there are certain things she shouldn’t find out.”

There had been enough darkness in her life already. She deserved a world filled only with light. Besides, the secrets here were deadly, and I would rather they died with me.

Lucy sensed the dismissal and scurried out. I heard a squeak of surprise from the other side of the door, and I paused, waiting to see who she had bumped into.

Before the latch could click into place, the door reopened and Sir Egbert, head of the Kasomere city guard, entered, bowing with a flourish that made his dark curls tumble forward. Foreboding stirred within me.

“Yes?”

He cleared his throat, though his voice was always gruff. “My lord, we have bad news. Robert has been arrested and Sir Cley has been taken in for questioning by the Adenburg city guard.”

My spine stiffened. “Whose authority are they currently under?”

“Lord Charles’s men caught Robert within their jurisdiction. Since there hasn’t been a trial yet, he’s still being held at Lord Charles’s estate. Duke James, who oversees the guard, has Sir Cley. Apparently, both are being held for ‘suspicious behavior.’” His eyes flicked sideways, and his breath seemed to catch.

“And what else?”

---