Page 35 of The Mountain King
Chapter Twelve
She slipped awayfrom Maddugh when one of his sons spoke to him again. Kailigh now recognized the undercurrents of something going on under her nose—Maddugh was distracted, having assigned his sons to escort her most of the evening. For a man who claimed to be intent on courting, there was only one reason for that—he had other business going on simultaneously. It might have to do with her, and it might not.
But the royal dragons were involved in something. There was too much deliberate movement and too many serious conversations held in quiet corners, as if they were coordinating information.
Kailigh wanted to do some scouting of her own and was irritated when Gaston stepped in her path.
“Why are you skulking about, Mistress Kai?” he asked.
The foreman was dressed as he usually was, a dark, overly expensive coat for his station, his hair carefully styled and shoes shined. As if he were a rich city dweller and not a working man in an Outland coal mine, no matter how lofty his job title.
“Gaston.” Her voice was flat. “You have an amazing propensity towards questions that are none of your business.”
White teeth gleamed. Shark teeth. “Well. As it happens, I have business with yourself.”
Kailigh stared. “What possible business do you have with me?”
“Shall we walk?”
She wanted to say hell, no. But… this had been a strange day, and an even stranger evening, and she didn’t feel in a position to just ignore Gaston behaving oddly. His usual flirtatious mien was dampened, as if he was putting on an effort to be charming.
“All right,” she said, and he blinked.
“Thank you. Refreshment?” he asked as they passed a vendor.
“Get on with it,” she said. “I’m busy.”
“Of course, of course. I was in the tent with Lord Maddugh made his announcement.”
Kailigh blinked. “I’m at a loss—what business of yours is my personal life?”
“As you know, I am Lord Maddugh’s foreman. If you and he wed, you will be his wife. Lady here, and my employer. ‘Rule at my side’ I believe were his words?”
Kailigh grimaced.
Gaston smiled, bland. “Even so. I feel you are in a position—having lived with us townspeople—to understand certain nuances of life down the mountain that perhaps the Lord is unaware of.”
She didn’t like where the discussion was going, but remained silent. Let him talk himself into a noose.
“I recently presented him with information regarding a business opportunity which would be lucrative for himself and for the community—you know how desperately we need a continuous influx of capital.”
“If you’re asking me to intervene in matters that have nothing to do with me, you’re wasting your time.”
“I understand you may not understand these things—women aren’t required to, of course.”
Kailigh gritted her teeth, keeping words from tumbling past her lips. She should set a good example for her daughters, and conduct herself with dignity. If possible.
“But I have confidence in your intelligence and discretion. I’ve drawn up a proposal on behalf of an interested third party to expand production at the mine and transport the excess to Denver—you’re aware a new Dome is being developed? Yes, well, if you would read the proposal, and if you feel it in the best interests of your husband and family, of course… I would be grateful. And the third party.”
Gaston paused, turned to face her. “Our gratitude would extend to ensuring some small nest egg in your name and the names of your daughters is set aside, to secure their futures. You never know how marriages might turn out these days. Men have so many distractions.”
She didn’t like Gaston. And even though his words sounded innocent enough, if self-serving, she didn’t want anything to do with him. In fact, she was searching for teeth hidden in velvet. His kind always had a trap waiting for the unwary.
“I won’t do business with you, Gaston. You can just clear that idea out of your head. Good evening.”
She began to walk past him when he grabbed her arm. “Don’t be so hasty, Mistress Kailigh.”
“Get your hand off me.”
