Page 54 of Heartless

Turning back, she saw that Jest hadn’t moved from his perch, although his body was taut again.

‘Well,’ she said, trying to keep her voice light, though it trembled a little, ‘it seems that whether or not I wanted a courtship, I now have one. Thank you for your . . . involvement, but you should probably leave, before someone sees you.’ She reached for the window sash.

‘Wait!’ Jest slipped off his bough, skipping across a few branches until he was arm’s reach from her. He made it look as simple as walking on flat ground. ‘Is there someone else?’

She paused. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Are you in love with someone else?’

She stiffened, bewildered. ‘Why would you ask me that?’

‘I thought maybe that’s why you’re opposed to the King. I thought you might have already given your heart away to someone else, but maybe . . . maybe it’s someone your parents wouldn’t be so quick to approve of.’

She started to shake her head. ‘No, there isn’t anyone else.’

‘You’re sure?’

She was surprised at the dart of annoyance that stuck in her ribs. ‘If I had given my heart to someone else, I surely think I would know of it.’

His shoulders sloped downward, though his hands were still securing him to an overhead branch. He looked almost relieved, but also confused. ‘Of course you would.’

‘Don’t misunderstand me,’ said Catherine. ‘I am fond of the King. I just . . .’

‘You don’t have to explain it to me, Lady Pinkerton. I’ll admit I’ve grown fond of the King myself, though I haven’t known him long. Nevertheless, I think I understand you.’

It was a kindness, saying it, when Catherine felt wholly treasonous at her lack of affection for the King.

‘I’m fond of you too, I think.’

She laughed at the unexpected compliment. Or what she thought might be a compliment. It didn’t seem romantic enough to qualify as a confession. ‘Me?’

‘Yes. You’re different from the other lords and ladies here. I’m sure that any other girl would have screamed and started throwing rocks at me if I showed up atherbedroom window.’

‘I don’t keep a very large supply of rocks up here.’ A sudden bout of heat rushed up her throat, realizing that he was right. There was a boy at her window. At night. They were alone – excepting his Raven friend, at least. She frowned. ‘Though if you’re insinuating that I might have questionable morals, you are sadly mistaken.’

His eyes widened. ‘That’s not—’ He paused, and suddenly started to chuckle. ‘It was intended as a kindness, I assure you.’

She crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Either way, I think you’re wrong. I’m not different. I’m . . .’

He waited.

She swallowed, hard, a twitch starting in her cheek. ‘What do you mean by that, anyway? Calling medifferent.’

‘It’s true. I knew it from the moment I saw you twirling at the ball, your arms raised as if you hadn’t a care in all the world.’

She blinked.

‘Of all those ladies and all those gentlemen, you were the only one who twirled.’

‘You saw that?’

‘In that gown, it would have been difficult not to.’

She wrinkled her nose. ‘My mother chose it. She thought it would be my engagement ball. I honestly had no idea.’

‘I see that now.’ He squinted at her and opened his mouth once to speak, but closed it again.

Catherine swallowed. ‘You shouldn’t be here.’

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