Page 27 of Within the Hollow Heart

She swallowed. “They won’t force me to marry any man. They’ll force me to—he’ll be—” Her words choked off again, and she shook her head. “You can’t understand. I cannot explain it.”

“My lady, it does not matter. Whatever it is, we will face it together. That was our bargain.”

Her shoulders eased in his embrace, and her lips parted to speak. But the door to the room slammed open.

Nickolas’s gaze shot toward the sound. Just in time, it turned out, to watch Lady Brigham storm in. Behind her, a handful of courtiers and castle staff looked on from the courtyard. She posted herself before the entrance, almost militant in her posture, and faced Nickolas and Jules. Her intent was clear—to punish Nickolas and hurt anyone who held his concern. Nothing particularly new, but Nickolas had met his limit.

“Oh, for the love of—” He stepped out of the embrace to turn on his mother. “Enough.” The word split into two, possibly three. He’d never been so angry in his life. “This is it, Mother. I am done. I have tried. I have done my utmost to save this family and preserve our name. But no more.” He glared her down. “The Brighams do notdeserveto be saved.”

His mother took a step toward him.

Nickolas turned to the crowd of onlookers who’d gathered outside the open door. “We’re cleaned out,” he told them. “Done for. Pockets to let, rolled-up, on the rocks. The Brighams have no funds.” At the intake of breath from a lady he thought was employed in the kitchens, Nickolas added, “It gets worse. It’s not merely destitution. I’m afraid there are unspeakably dishonorable acts to add to the—”

His confession was cut short by the shriek that came from his mother. The entire courtyard went silent, making not a sound aside from the echo of babbling water.

His mother’s eyes cut to Jules, and her hand balled into a fist. “Taking up with a clerk’s assistant in a dark garden shed at the midsummer ball and you have the nerve to speak to me of dishonorable acts.”

Nickolas remembered, quite suddenly, that Jules had been wrapped in his arms when his mother had entered. He resisted the urge to tell the crowd that it was not what it looked like. He edged in front of Jules. “This is not the time, Mother. In fact, it will never be the time again. We are done. It is over. And it’s nothing to do with Jules.”

“You gave up our chance at a princess. She was practically begging to drag us from the edge of ignobility.”

Nickolas felt his brow draw down. He hadn’t even considered making suit for the princess. He’d only needed to check on Jules.

When his mother demanded, “Go after hernow. Tell Mireille you’ve changed your mind,” Nickolas found he could not move.

His mother’s air became more dangerous. “I didn’t want to do this, but you’ve given me no choice.”

Nickolas did not like her tone. When she spoke again, he knew his impression was right.

His mother, the distinguished Lady Brigham of the renowned Brigham line, committed a crime so heinous no law had even been written to cover it.

She spoke the fae prince’s name.

* * *

“Have you lost your senses entirely?”Nickolas heard himself shout.

His mother had, evidently, because she did not even shy away as the fae prince materialized in the corner of the room. She must have somehow seen the prince at the Filmore estate, or perhaps not. Perhaps she’d only heard Jules whisper his name. But it was clear her action was planned. Nickolas swore.

The fae prince took a look at his surroundings, made an unpleasant face, then stepped from the shadows. He inclined his head to Jules. “My lady.”

At his back, Nickolas could feel Jules nod in return.

The prince’s gaze trailed briefly over the watching crowd, at least three of whom had fainted, then landed on Lady Brigham. She stood straight and formal as if waiting for an introduction to be made.

Etta was going to kill Nickolas. He would need to make record of everyone standing within view to report to the marshal’s office so that she could deal with whatever followed. The paperworkalone. What a nightmare. Perhaps he should have danced naked through the courtyard after all and been thrown into the dungeon where he belonged.

“Nickolas,” his mother snapped.

“What? You called him. You want to stand on proprietynow?” At her glare, he turned toward the prince. “May I introduce Lady Brigham, Your Highness?” He gestured vaguely in her direction before grandly rolling his hand toward the prince. “Mother, the prince of Rivenwilde.”

The prince’s gaze slid from Nickolas to his mother then back.

Nickolas nodded in concession. “I like to think I favor my father.” There was nothing he could do to prevent the disaster they all knew was coming. He prayed it would not involve Jules.

“You have called me to bargain, Lady Brigham.” The prince’s tone was even, but at the doorway, several onlookers stepped back.

If possible, Lady Brigham’s spine went straighter. “You shall marry your pick of my daughters. There are four, all exceptionally lovely and accomplished.”

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