Page 96 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1
He made the decision that I wasn't to bring Pip. A whole torrent of emotions swirl around within me at the realisation, and I'm not really sure what to do about it. Bastian was so against me bringing Pip, it's hard to know that the reason was of his own making and not from some instruction Lord Fallmartin gave him.
I clear my throat, and attempt to make sure my feelings are hidden, though I'm sure Linc has already worked out that I'm on edge from the revelation. "I'm grateful for the welcome we've both had here."
"I didn't realise you'd had a chance to meet Pip, Your Highness," Bella says.
"Oh." Linc looks at me.
I give him a reassuring smile. "We've gone on a few walks together." They don't need to know about how comfortable Pip is with him. Or the time she curled up on his knee in the private room of the library. "Perhaps we could go on one once we've finished dinner?"
"I'd like that," Linc responds.
Bastian scoffs. "I hardly think that's proper."
Bella rolls her eyes and leans back in her seat. "What harm can it do? They're already betrothed and the entire court knows about it. And even if they weren't, it wouldn't matter."
"Perhaps if you spent more time getting to know your future wife, you might not be so against your marriage," Lord Fallmartin says.
I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing, though I have to admit to being surprised that Lord Fallmartin has said as much in front of Linc.
Bastian purses his lips, but manages to hold his tongue. I'm certain he wouldn't have if either Bella or I had said the same as Lord Fallmartin did, but luckily, he's the one who put him in his place this time.
Hopefully, it will make him think twice before he does it again, but somehow, I don't think so.
THIRTEEN
It's only as I step into the House Tufflion apartments that I realise I've never actually been in the rooms belonging to any of the other Houses before.
Even without investigating the rooms further, I can see that they're smaller than the ones we live in, and less lavishly decorated. It shouldn't be a surprise. Linc helped me read up on the history of House Tufflion the other day, though I'm sure there are a lot of things the history books have missed about it.
A servant comes to greet us, dipping into a curtsy. "Lady Beatrice, Lady Vermouten, if you would like to follow me," she says, gesturing for the two of us.
Bella doesn't seem in the slightest bit bothered by the introduction and drifts off after the woman. I follow behind, trying not to feel too nervous about sitting down to tea with my brother's future wife. The invitation was somewhat of a surprise, especially with the wedding only a few days away.
The servant shows us into a sitting room with several plush-looking chairs that have seen better days, and a huge portrait of a man I've never met. I assume it must be the late Lord Tufflion, but I don't dare ask.
"Ah, you've arrived," Lady Tufflion says as she rises to her feet. Her yellow dress covers her right the way up to her chin, quite at odds with the style of dresses other women at court wear, myself included. I hope she doesn't think down on me for having more of my neck and throat on display.
I glance over at Bella, reassured that I'm fine. Her dress is very similar to mine, just with a slightly different cut.
"Lady Beatrice, it's a pleasure to have you here," Lady Tufflion continues, reminding me that I should be paying attention to our host and not just observing everything.
"Thank you." I give the woman a tight smile, not really sure what to make of her. I've only met her once, and that was with more people in the room.
"And Lady Vermouten." The welcome is less warm, but I don't know why.
"Now that you're here, I must retire. Lady Ermentrude will be here in a moment." She sweeps out of the room and leaves us alone without saying another word, but shooting a glare in Bella's direction.
"What did you do to her?" I murmur. I don't really expect her to answer me, but it needs to be said.
"She considers House Vermouten to be beneath her."
"That's ridiculous."
Bella shrugs. "It's not uncommon. Thomas doesn't have a particularly high standing at court."
I frown. "Why did Lord Fallmartin marry you to him if he doesn't have a high standing?" That seems to go against everything he's said and done since I arrived at court and his focus on elevating House Rothorne. Which means I must be missing something.
"Because Thomas has excellent skills as an estate manager. Uncle Gerard employed him for about ten years before the two of us were married. It was a kindness to me," she admits. "I wasn't ready to be married again, but there were a lot of suitors asking Uncle Gerard for a betrothal. He gave me a choice. I could either announce that I was going to choose one of them by a certain date, or I could quietly marry Thomas who I already knew. I chose the latter."
