Page 96 of Pervade London
Reluctantly, I followed James back to the kitchen, wary of the man who’d almost destroyed my violin and sliced open my throat with a sword.
At least Xavier was coming around. Our escape was thwarted this time, but we’d get another chance.
While I cleared the island of the unused eggs and milk, Ballad set about uncorking a bottle of red wine and filled three glasses. Xavier’s drink was going to be waiting for him when he came back, which reassured me that he’d be joining us soon.
“Where did he go?” I asked.
James lifted his wine glass and sipped. “I taste berries. How about you?”
Poison, probably.
I took a sip. “Grapes.”
He faked a horrified expression. “Heathen.”
James fitted the mold of a man who would like fine wines and all the other luxuries that went along with high-brow living. I imagined him attracting the cold, beautiful types.
“Are you a Lord?” I asked.
He looked up from his glass. “Earl.”
I needed to learn as much as I could about this man so I could find him again if I wanted to. He was my way back to Xavier if we were ever separated again.
Sitting at the kitchen table with my fingernails digging into my palms to center me, I watched James chop vegetables, peel potatoes, and prepare other dishes with the confidence of someone who loved to entertain. He made this look like I was a guest he’d invited over for dinner.
The two men had secrets between them…a history and a shared love. I had to find out what I was up against and make him think my defenses were down.
I tried to make conversation. “How long have you known Xavier?”
His smile was filled with the warmth of pleasant memories. “A long time.”
“He told me you met in the Army. You were stationed together?”
James looked up. “We weren’t stationed together.”
“Oh?”
“No, I was in the same vicinity as him at some point during a mission.”
“So vague.” I leaned back. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because you’re fishing for clues about me and it’s endearing.”
My shoulders slumped in frustration. “Why are you so secretive?”
“My past reflects my future.”
“How so?”
“How’s your wine?”
I took another sip. “Mysterious.”
His lips quirked in amusement as he picked up the wine bottle and came over to me.
“I get sleepy if I have too much.”
“Well, we don’t want that.”
