Page 64 of Crown of Hearts
“This is George, my wine steward.” Cai introduced him to me while I politely declined his offer of pouring me a glass.
“Is this from the new vineyard?” Cai asked after taking a sip.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It’s lovely, thank you.”
George bowed before moving on to the other courtiers.
“You have a wine steward? I don’t have a wine steward.”
“That’s because Lance would drink him out of his job,” Cai joked.
“Don’t tease. I’m trying to get him to sober up.”
“How very noble of you.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “You’re telling me.”
Cai held the glass towards me, and I gave in, taking a small sip. It wasgoodwine. Even I could tell with my spectacular lack of knowledge of the subject.
“George was employed by my father. Norrandale has a good climate for winemaking. The man takes a lot of pride in his art. Who am I to take that away from him?”
I nodded in understanding, my eyes darting across the room, over all the unfamiliar faces, until they landed on two that I recognised.
“I see Thatcher has taken quite a liking to Lady Anesta.”
Cai noted the direction of my gaze as I handed him back the glass. Thatcher and Anesta were in close proximity, her cheeks wildly tinted red while she twirled her hair in a flirtatious manner.
“Although from what I’ve heard, Thatcher takes a liking to just about every woman he sees.”
“You’re not entirely wrong,” Cai replied with a slight grimace.
“You need to tell your friends to lay off my ladies-in-waiting. At this rate, I won’t have any left.”
I took the wine glass from his hand without asking and indulged myself with another sip.
“Is that resentment I sense in your tone?”
“Of course not. I’m very happy for Cordelia and Jack.”
“But?”
“But I miss her sometimes. She was my friend. And even if things did get... complicated near the end, she was good for me.”
“I’ll tell you what, if Thatcher should make any serious advancements towards Anesta, I’ll make sure they stay at court so she can remain your lady-in-waiting.”
“I appreciate it. But I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of someone’s happiness.”
“I wouldn’t be too concerned, though. Thatcher is quite fond of the drama here and isn’t likely to leave anyway,” he reassured me. “In fact, he might have spent more time at court than I have.”
Cai reached for the wine glass but I pulled my hand back.
“I thought you didn’t want anything to drink?”
“That was before I tasted George’s talent.”
Cai shook his head with a slight smile, before his expression changed. I looked towards where he was staring, at the entrance to the ballroom.
