Page 42 of Legacy of Glass
Julius grimaced and sent Cade a light glare in response, not risking looking in Olivia’s direction. His friend was talking too quietly for the other men to hear, but Olivia was much closer.
“Even if it’s a minor wound,” Olivia said, changing the topic and easing some of his tension, “it would still be wise to see a doctor. There must be one here in the palace—probably more than one. Let me help you to the closest.”
Julius leaped in before Cade could accept such an appealing escort. “It was my error, I’ll take him myself.”
He expected Olivia to protest, but she merely nodded. “You’re right, that would probably be better. They’ll see him more quickly if you accompany him.”
Her words had sense, and that consideration should have been at the forefront of his own mind.
“I don’t need any escort at all,” Cade said with a laugh. “It was my arm that wasbarelyinjured, not my leg.”
But Julius was determined. He had hurt his friend, and if Cade would be seen more quickly in Julius’s presence, then he wasn’t going to abandon him and return to a morning relaxing with Olivia.
Olivia.
He was supposed to be showing her around the palace. But he couldn’t be in two places at once. He would have to trust Olivia to one of his friends.
His eyes skipped straight over Zane, who was watching the three of them with far too much interest, and lingered on Ashton. The youngest of his friends had always reminded him of the best qualities of a puppy—loyal, enthusiastic, and endearing. But Ashton’s eyes lingered on Olivia with far too much admiration. He was just the sort of noble Queen Elsinore might think a good match for Olivia—wealthy and well connected, but not too influential. That thought sat uncomfortably for some reason, so he turned his eyes to Kasper.
Kasper was the obvious answer. Olivia was clearly desperate for a private word with Marigold’s brother, and it was better to give her the opportunity sooner rather than later—before she slipped up and said something in front of the wrong person.
“I’ll take Cade to the doctor,” Julius called across the courtyard to Kasper. “I’m trusting the rest of Lady Olivia’s palace tour to you.”
Kasper’s eyebrows rose, but he immediately strode over to join them.
“Don’t forget what’s due her new rank,” Julius said more quietly, giving his friend a warning glance.
Kasper stiffened. “Naturally. I wouldn’t make such an error.”
“I hardly think that’s necessary,” Olivia said softly from his side, reproachful eyes fastened on Julius. “I’m sure Lord Kasper doesn’t need such reminders.” Her lips tightened. “And he may have other plans for his day. I’m neither a child in need of watching nor a parcel in need of safe delivery.”
Julius gave a soft sigh. They were hardly selling their supposed love story. But he couldn’t blame Olivia. The whole problem would have been avoided if only he’d been more careful during his match.
“Please humor his company for the sake of my conscience,” he said, giving his words a teasing edge while his eyes tried to signal a warning. “I wouldn’t want you to get lost on the way back to your rooms.”
She blinked up at him for a moment, clearly confused by his silent message, so at odds with his light tone. Then her face relaxed, and she smiled. Apparently, she had understood his reminder that they had an audience and must keep up appearances.
“It won’t be the same as getting the tour from you,” she said, as both Ashton and Zane strolled over to join them. “But I appreciate the thoughtfulness.”
Kasper bowed to her, his face once again an unreadable mask. “I know I’m a poor substitute for your betrothed, but you will be in safe care in my hands.” He smiled slightly. “I haven’t been lost in the palace for ten years.”
Ashton slung an arm over Kasper’s shoulder. “There’s a story there, Lady Olivia. And since Kasper never indulges my curiosity, you’ll have to be the one to ask him to tell it.”
“Not even a lady could coax it from me,” Kasper replied with a straight face.
“You should ask me to tell it instead,” Cade said with a mischievous smile. “I was there, too, but I lack Kasper’s self-consequence.”
“More’s the pity,” Zane muttered in a sour tone.
Julius restrained the impulse to whack Cade’s brother for disrespecting Cade while he was injured. But the rest of them ignored Zane, and Olivia’s smile didn’t dim.
Kasper held out his arm to her, and she took it with a polite smile. Something twisted in Julius’s chest. It shouldn’t have, but it did anyway.
He wasn’t jealous of Kasper in the normal way—Olivia’s interest in him wasn’t personal. But even so, he didn’t want to send her off on the arm of one of his friends. He wanted the chance to show her around himself, although it was his own fault he’d lost that opportunity.
“Relax, lover boy,” Zane murmured with a grin. “She’s already yours, remember?”
Julius turned narrow eyes on him, but Zane merely laughed.
