Page 38 of The Pureblood Princess
“You know I’ve no stomach for politics, son.”
Theodore sits forward and braces his forearms on his knees. There’s a shadow across his jaw, and Nadia wishes she could reach out and run her palm along the stubble on his chin.
“Stomach or no, we’re at a great disadvantage now,” he says, “especially with Dorota Kazamir at the brotherhood’s helm.”
Lord Rosetti takes another sip of his brandy. “I wasn’t concerned about her before, but now that the engagement has been called off...” He glances at Nadia, seeming almost apologetic, but she minds her facial expression, and he continues. “I do worry she’ll make matters even more challenging.”
The men lapse into a tense silence, and in the momentary quiet, something occurs to Nadia that makes her speak up. “Do you mean to say,” she says slowly, choosing her wordscarefully, “that you believe the brotherhood to have somehow been involved in my parents’ deaths?”
Lord Rosetti doesn’t respond at first. He swirls the brandy in his glass, and the firelight makes the liquid glow. Nadia waits quietly, albeit eagerly, for him to speak.
Finally, he finishes the rest of his drink and lets out a sigh. “I don’t know for sure, but I can see no other reason why they won’t pursue justice.”
His words send confusion tumbling through Nadia’s mind. “But... But I thought Lord Gray killed them?”
“He did,” Theodore says, his green eyes cutting to Nadia. “But we still don’t know why. Unless he told you something?”
Lord Gray’s voice comes back to her, and she remembers what he said that day in the dining room when she confronted him about his part in Vera’s and Kirill’s deaths.
“The guild sent me on one final mission: erase Clan Magdalena. Don’t ask me why; they don’t tell the hunters anything.”
“The guild sent him on a mission to erase Clan Magdalena.” Her voice is small, and she casts her gaze to the large round carpet lying atop the hardwood floor. “Or so he said when I confronted him about his involvement.”
“Erase Clan Magdalena?” Lord Rosetti’s words hold venom, and he scrubs a hand roughly down his face. “Why Clan Magdalena? Why not any of the other pureblood clans?”
Nadia shrugs, feeling a failure for not having yielded more information from him. But Theodore shifts forward in his chair, catching her eye, and his smile calms her distress.
“We’ve too many questions and too few answers,” the earl says as he turns from the fireplace and sinks into his armchair. Sighing, he massages his temples. “I will write to Brother Delfino. If anyone in the brotherhood can be trusted, it’s him.”
“You think he could shed light on this?” Theodore asks.
Though the question wasn’t directed at her, Nadia nods. “He seemed eager to speak with you,” she says, her gaze focused on Lord Rosetti. “Perhaps he may be able to help us.”
“It’s possible,” Lord Rosetti says, though he doesn’t sound convinced. “But we must be careful. The brotherhood won’t be pleased if they discover we’re digging into their business like this.”
“They’re not going to find out.” Theodore reclines in his chair and leans his head back, exposing his smooth throat and the thrumming pulse just beneath his skin.
Swallowing, Nadia turns her eyes quickly away, though her thirst rises at the very thought of tasting him.
“It’s decided, then. We’ll have the Delfinos over, and we’ll discover yet what Brother Delfino knows.”
Chapter Fifteen
Though Nadia wishes for timealone with her betrothed, she is disallowed it. There are too many decisions to make, too much preparation that must be completed for the wedding.
The days pass in a blur of rain and gray, and the skies have decided to release a deluge on the evening of the Delfinos’ arrival.
Nadia stands with the Rosettis in the foyer as the footmen escort the Delfinos into the manor, umbrellas held high over their heads. Rainwater drips onto the tiled floor, reflecting the candlelight as the Delfinos shed their coats and hats.
“Lord Rosetti, Lady Rosetti,” Brother Delfino says, bowing his head politely to the earl and countess in turn. “And Miss Magdalena, how nice to see you again.”
“Oh, Miss Magdalena,” Lady Delfino says, stepping forward eagerly to take Nadia by the hand. “We hadn’t a chance to speak at the gala, but I’m so delighted to make your acquaintance. Your mother and I were... well...” Her laughter fails to conceal her discomfort. “Suffice to say we were not always close, but I had great respect for her, and I was so sorry to hear of her and your father’s passing.”
“Thank you, Lady Delfino,” Nadia says, offering her a gracious smile. “I’d love to hear more about your relationship with my mother.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Lady Delfino says, touching her rich chestnut-brown hair nervously as she casts her gaze about the room. “Contessa! Goodness, look at you. More gorgeous every time I see you.”
They move to the dining room, where Lady Delfino keeps the entire table busy with conversation. She asks about the wedding, whether or not Contessa and Charlie are with child yet, and a slew of other questions that most at the table weather with genial smiles.
