Page 9 of The Pureblood Princess
Theodore takes Nadia’s hand and brushes his thumb across her ring before giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll explain everything later. We’ll speak tonight.”
So, there’s something to it after all. Though she wants him to explainnow, she bites her tongue and gives him a small nod.
The doors to the dining room open again, and Nadia puts a bit of distance between herself and Theodore.
“Miss Magdalena,” Lord Rosetti says, stopping and clasping his hands behind his back. “I’d hoped to have a word with you. If my son can spare his future bride, that is.” His tone is playful, his expression jovial. It seems the Kazamirs barely ruffled his feathers.
The earl is slightly taller than Theodore, with wide shoulders and the exact same green eyes. Looking between them now, Nadia imagines he must’ve looked like a mirror image of his son when he was younger.
“Of course, my lord.” She offers Theodore a slight curtsy, and he gives her that delicious smile before she turns to follow the earl down the hall.
Later, you’re all mine, he says as she walks away.
Though he can’t see her, she smiles.
Nadia falls into step beside Lord Rosetti, and she finds herself completely at ease in his presence. Though she’s only known him a short while, he’s already taken on an almost fatherly rolein her life, perhaps because of his close friendship with her late parents. In any case, it’s served to make her feel more welcome in the family, which has been most appreciated in this trying time.
“I’ve an odd request,” Lord Rosetti says, tucking one arm behind his back as they stroll into the sunlit foyer.
“Oh?” She turns to face him, her eyebrows rising.
“I’ve not been able to tear my thoughts away from the—” He casts his gaze about quickly, then leads her down another nearby hallway and lowers his voice. “The tonic. You mentioned you had something that may further our understanding of this concoction the hunters were giving you.”
Nadia perks up. “Indeed. Before leaving home, I grabbed a shard of porcelain from a teacup containing the tonic. I’d hoped it may be of some help to you, though I do wish I’d been able to get my hands on the tonic itself.”
Her shoulders droop slightly as she recalls the most unpleasant altercation with her adoptive father before she left Everborough for the season. It still makes her stomach twist and presses heavily upon her chest.
Lord Rosetti’s green eyes come alive, and his smile is almost infectious. “It would be most helpful, Miss Magdalena. Could you bring it by my study this evening? I’ve obligations to see to with the Kazamirs, but once they’ve departed, we’ll be able to speak more freely.”
“Certainly.” She finds her mood buoyed by his excitement. “I’ll bring it to you tonight.”
“Delightful! I do hope to—”
“Hello!” calls an airy female voice, the sound echoing down the hall from the foyer.
Nadia doesn’t recognize it, but Lord Rosetti’s eyes widen immediately, and his mouth curls into a smile.
“Come,” he says. “I’ve someone you’ll most want to meet.”
Chapter Four
Nadia follows Lord Rosetti backdown the hallway to the foyer, and standing there amidst servants and innumerable bags is a dark-haired beauty. She wears a forest-green gown with a low neckline, and gleaming curls spill around her shoulders in voluptuous waves. The woman is easily one of the most beautiful ladies Nadia has ever seen.
“Papa!” the woman says when Nadia and Lord Rosetti enter the foyer. Rushing over to him, she throws her arms about his neck, and he sweeps her off her feet.
“My beautiful girl,” Lord Rosetti says, setting the lady gently on her feet and stepping back to look her up and down. “Are you quite well? The ride wasn’t too tedious, I hope.”
“I’m quite fine, Papa.”
“And Charlie?” Lord Rosetti casts his gaze out the open doors, where servants bustle about unloading even more bags and trunks from the carriage.
“Healthy as a horse.” The woman shifts to look around Lord Rosetti, and when her eyes find Nadia, her pink lips stretch into a brilliant smile. “Youmustbe Miss Magdalena,” she says, stepping forward. “I’ve been so excited to meet you. I’m Contessa.”
The name is strikingly familiar. While at the Rosettis’ city home, Nadia stayed in Contessa’s old room and even woresome of her clothing. When Nadia heard that the eldest Rosetti sibling would be joining them in the country, she was somewhat apprehensive. But feeling the warmth radiating off her now, she finds her worries were all for naught.
“It’s a pleasure,” Nadia says in return, offering Contessa a polite nod. “Lord Rosetti has told me much about you, and your family was kind enough to allow me a temporary stay in your old room.”
“Oh, I can only imagine what my brother has said about me. We’ll get that all cleared up in time, I assure you.” Her smile is sharp and playful, and though Nadia has known her only a moment, Contessa feels like fire in comparison to Theodore’s steady earth. They may look alike, but their energies are completely different.
