Page 51 of Pippa of Lauramore
“No, I don’t, what?”
“You were going to turn me down. I saw it all over your face. I was about to get a cheerful decline.”
I laugh. “You’re right. Before I knew it was you, I was.”
His eyes flash with good humor. “I’m wearing you down, aren’t I? Soon you’ll turn away from your grand tournament and run away with me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You will. We’ll sneak down to Triblue first, and then find a fast ship that will take us out to sea. We’ll explore tropical islands and eat coconuts for the rest of our days.”
I know he’s not serious, but for just a moment, I imagine it. It’s not bad.
“You weren’t supposed to take me seriously.” He gives me a wicked grin. “This punishment of yours must be weakening your resolve.”
“You have no idea.”
“Word has it you’ve selected your chosen. We shouldn’t tell them yet. They’ll just be jealous of me.”
I snort. It’s not a very ladylike sound, but something tells me Irving won’t care. “I’m choosing Galinor.”
He quirks his eyebrow at me. “Shocking. The man who brought a sheep.”
As we dance, I notice several young ladies look at us with unveiled envy. “You’ve made quite an impression on the women of our court.”
He grins. “All I care about is you, sweet princess.”
I glance across the room and find Archer dancing with Lady Marigold. Irving follows my gaze. “She’s a kind girl, our Marigold. She’s been spending quite a bit of time with that Archer. Is he respectable?”
“Very.” My throat constricts. I watch the two of them and tell myself it’s not sadness I’m feeling, but rather, unbridled joy. It’s not working yet, but I’m hopeful. “Tell me about her.”
“Her family…died…in the Dragon Wars.”
I glance up at Irving. “You make that sound ominous.”
He shakes his head, more serious now than I’ve ever seen him. “It’s a horrible story. She’s quite alone in the world.”
“It was kind of your family to take her in.”
He gives me a funny look. “It’s never been talked about directly, but I’m rather positive she’s my half-sister, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh! You mean…your father…”
“That’s right.”
“How does your mother feel about all that?”
Irving grins. “All water under the bridge now. She loves Marigold. There are days I do believe she loves her more than me.”
“Bit of a troublemaker, are you?”
He winks. “You’re in good company, Princess.”
Our dance ends, and I’m truly disappointed. Who knows who will claim me next? At least Irving is fun.
Archer and Marigold part, and he walks her back to where they were standing earlier. I watch him, feeling a strange blend of wistfulness and nausea. It’s an unpleasant combination.
His eyes scan the hall, and then they settle on me—as if I were the one he was looking for all along. I swallow, feeling oddly nervous.
