Page 17 of The Chef

Father sighed. “If he does choose to work for you, I’ll release the funds.” He took a sip of tea, then set it aside. “Tell me about the rest of the trip. I’ve read the reports you and Captain Zain sent ahead, but your missive implied something you couldn’t put into writing?”

Fen put his silverware down. “One of my vetted soldiers tried to poison us all after we took out Greath. I’m only here because Char was cooking, and the poison was neutralized. My soldier confessed before she killed herself. She said, and I quote, ‘Randolph says hi.’”

“Shit.” Ayer banged his fist on the table.

“Wasn’t Uncle Randolph finally killed three years ago in the battle at Oaker?” Shairon asked.

“I took his head off myself,” Braxton answered. “Unless he has an identical twin somewhere, the bastard is dead.”

“Randolph was not a twin and was my only sibling with any sort of vendetta against the crown,” Father replied. He rubbed his eyes with one hand, letting out a sigh. “But he hadsupporters, some of whom were located in Namin so we couldn’t arrest them. Do you have any idea how they turned your soldier, or whether anyone else has been compromised?”

“Not yet, but Jensen is looking into it. I know I can trust him, and all Char cares about is making good food. I can trust him too, even if I found him with Greath.”

“Is that all he cares about?” Mother asked. “Does he return your feelings?”

“Mother!” Braxton hissed. “We’re talking about that bastard Randolph returning from the dead! Fenwick’s romance isn’t important right now.”

She gave Braxthe look, and he snapped his mouth shut. “Of course it matters. Fen’s chef is in a unique position to influence or even to attack. Because Fen’s feelings will make him lower his guard; plus, a chef can easily slip things into food. Charmaine will be approached. They will try to bribe him, threaten him, or otherwise force him to hurt Fen because of his special access. So, does he return your feelings enough to be trusted when that happens?”

“You’re right that Char is a target who needs to be protected, but he’s really strong. It doesn’t matter whether he returns my feelings, although I hope he does. He’s stubborn and once he’s given his loyalty, it’s unwavering. It’ll take something big to discombobulate him. I’m working to ensure they don’t have easy access either. He’s safe in the military complex where someone will be with him at all times, and if he leaves, it will be with a guard.”

“And in the meantime, Ayer and I will leverage our resources to see if we can figure out this new conspiracy,” Father said, shaking his head and sighing. “I had hoped my brother’s jealous rage had subsided with his death.”

“I suspect Namin has been fermenting it,” Ayer added with his own sigh. “Did you ever figure out why that group of mercenaries was hired? Did you get anything out of Prince Clament?”

“He recognized me immediately, so he never said what the final orders were. We’ve searched his belongings, and he’s sitting in prison right now. Hopefully that will soften him up. I’ll let you know.”

“I’lllet you know,” Braxton cut in. “He’s under my care now.”

“Then he’ll definitely talk, if only not to see your ugly face anymore,” Fen replied, sniggering.

“Boys.” Mother shot them both a look, but then her smile softened and turned seraphic. “While you wait for the information, you can spend time wooing your chef.” She might pretend to be airheaded or only interested in her children’s love lives, but behind that innocent look was a shrewd and calculating mind.

“Mother,” Fen said in a drawn-out groan, trying to focus his attention on his breakfast.

Braxton snorted out a laugh. “Yes, tell us all about wooing your chef while Mother starts planning your wedding.”

“Don’t joke, Brax,” Fen snapped in reply. “Now that I’ve got a person I’m interested in, that leaves only you for Mother to matchmake for. You ready to dance with Baroness Uthromis again?”

Brax cringed. “Not a chance. I like having toes attached to my feet, and I like being single.” He looked at Mother pleadingly. “I really like being single.”

Satisfied the conversation had been diverted from his own budding romance, particularly since the redirection was at Brax’s expense, Fen returned to his pancakes.

He finally escaped an hour later and made his way back through the castle to the private entrance where his horse would be waiting. His heart was beating in his throat as he approached, and he immediately scanned the yard. At first, Fen didn’t see Char. A delivery wagon was being unloaded in the middle of the yard, blocking his view. But then he caught sight of a flash of black hair and saw Char leaning against the wall, out of the way. Heart still thumping a touch too hard, Char headed in his direction.

“Everything okay?” Fen asked.

Char looked up at Fen and sighed. “Is your offer of employment still available?”

“Yes. Would you like to be the chef of the royal guard complex?” Fen asked.

“I would. Thank you.”

Char smiled at him, and Fen had to swallow down his first, but not publicly appropriate, reaction. Relief flooded his body, and his heart stopped thudding with worry. Char would be safe and nearby, and Fen would have plenty of time to gently woo this lovely man.

“Shall we return so you can conduct an inventory of what your new kitchen has and make a list of everything you need?” Fen asked.

“I’d like that.” Char was still smiling, but it brightened a little more at Fen’s words.

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