Page 29 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Nothing.

She would have given anything to retire after supper, but her parents had raised her to be decorous and respectful, and leaving before dancing would be insulting to the Carricks.

Nolan wasted no time asking her to dance. As the lute players and pipers began to play, they joined other couples in a stately dance. The way Nolan’s piercing gaze did not leave her face made her far more uncomfortable than his warm fingertips underneath hers. Every time the steps of the dance dictated that they part or turn away from each other was a short reprieve from his intense and undesired attentions. The dance ended, and she curtsied as best she could with Nolan’s fingers still curled under her own. He bowed, bringing her fingers to his lips, his eyes fixed on hers.

The air in the room was far too hot. Adelaide forced a smile and inclined her head. “Thank you for the dance, Sir Nolan. I fear I need to sit down for a while.”

“You’re not feeling unwell, I hope? The night has scarcely begun.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.

Perhaps she was projecting her own urgent desire to escape, but she thought she detected a hint of panic in his words. She shifted and pulled her hand away. “Just...a little lightheaded.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Nolan moved to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

This is the opposite of what I wanted!

“Here.” He guided her to some chairs near the wall. “Wait right here. I’d like to introduce you to my brother.”

“Oh—” But Nolan darted away before she could protest. He returned a couple minutes later with his brother. The elder Carrick was just shorter than Nolan, with similar light brown hair and blue eyes. He sported a neatly trimmed mustache.

“Lady Adelaide, this is my eldest brother, William. Will, this is Adelaide.”

William bowed and Adelaide moved to stand and curtsy, but William held up his hand. “Please, sit. I understand you’re not feeling well.”

She shifted. “I needed a moment to breathe and cool down.”

The corner of William’s mouth twitched. “Yes, Nolan can have that effect.”

She rubbed the side of her neck, unsure what to say, sinceI’m not all warm and breathless over your brother’s charmsseemed a bit...antagonistic and forward. “Don’t you have another brother?” she asked, desperate to change the subject.

“Yes, Michael,” Nolan said. His eyes narrowed.

William clasped his hands behind his back. “Michael married Baron MacCombe’s daughter, Elaine, a few years ago. They live in a castle along the Monparth-Carasom border that Baron MacCombe gave them.”

“How generous.” Adelaide slipped into the small talk expected at these gatherings. “I spoke with Sir Morris MacCombe over supper. He was friendly.”

Nolan’s jaw tightened. “Yes, well, he’s likely to announce an engagement to Duke Randall’s daughter Elizabeth soon.” The irritation in his voice was unmistakable, but the cause baffled Adelaide.Is he irritated MacCombe was friendly to me, or irritated he’s marrying Elizabeth Randall?

William cast a sidelong glance at his brother, but his expression remained serene. “Elizabeth is my wife’s sister. But Sir Morris and Nolan had a bit of a...quarrel last year.”

“Bygones.” Nolan glared at his brother as Adelaide fidgeted with her skirt so she wouldn’t have to look at the brothers.

“Yes, well.” William slapped Nolan’s back. “Nolan has matured in the last year. He’s a bright, talented young man. We expect him to do well at the Etchy Tournament. He marginally lost the joust last year. But I’m not competing this year, so his chances are good.” She looked up in surprise at William’s teasing tone. Nolan looked like he’d tasted something sour.

“Joking aside,” William continued, “I wouldn’t place any bets against him. Not that you would gamble, of course. But I fear I have other guests to see.” He bowed. “It was an honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Belanger. I expect I’ll be seeing you again. Soon and often.”

“The honor was mine, Lord Carrick.”

William nodded, then turned and ambled away.Soon and often. The Carrick familyexpectedher to court Nolan.Perfect.

Nolan recovered his composure and looked unbothered by his brother’s teasing. “Feeling any better?”

“Actually, I’m developing a headache,” she lied.

Nolan sat next to her, his forehead wrinkled. “Shall I send for the physician?”

“Oh, no, I think I need to sleep.” She stood. “I’ll just go to my room—”

“Then I will accompany you,” he declared as he stood. “It’s a large castle, I’d hate for you to get lost.”

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