Page 32 of Dukes Are Forever
"I do not."
A sigh escaped her, and she reached up and fixed his collar. "Then go warn the queen. And try not to murder Lord Devoncourt before we've extracted what we can from him. Or at least, try and understand precisely why he bothers you so much first."
* * *
Malloryn strodethrough one of the hidden tunnels that led into the queen's apartments at the top of the Ivory Tower.
The sound of merriment echoed within, but he had a good idea of her schedule and knew who her companions would be.
As he slipped out from behind a tapestry, he saw Sir Gideon Scott rise to poke the fire. The leader of the Humans First party was a stout man with gray at the temples of his dark hair and a dashing moustache. That he'd attached himself to Alexandra so soon upon her return from Windsor spoke of machinations.
The man was no doubt up to something: Some new law or rule he wanted to discuss in private with the queen. They were never far from each other's side these days, and Malloryn couldn't help wondering what they were plotting.
Several of the queen's attendants sewed and cleared platters, providing an escort for the queen.
One nearly dropped her platter when she saw him appear out of the shadows. "Your Grace!"
"Ah, my Lord Stormcrow." The laughter faded from the queen's eyes as she caught sight of him. "You look particularly dire."
Sir Gideon looked up sharply. "Malloryn."
He exchanged polite greetings with the room and bowed to the queen. As he rose, their eyes met.
Her Highness's smile never faded, but she clapped her hands, capturing the attention of her ladies-in-waiting. "It seems my holiday at Windsor has left me with a mountain of paperwork to sign, no doubt. I shouldn't wish to bore my ladies. You may all retire while Malloryn drones in my ear."
The three ladies-in-waiting curtsied and left the room.
Sir Gideon did not.
"What news?" the queen asked briskly.
Malloryn waited until the doors were properly closed. "You received my missive?"
The queen's hands paused in the middle of pouring herself tea. "I did not."
"Balfour is back."
A breath hissed between Sir Gideon's teeth. "You're certain of this?"
"I do not speak unless I am certain." Malloryn produced the letter from within his coat. "He left this on my desk. In my house."
No need to explain which precise house he referred to.
The queen's expression gave nothing away as she read it. "So Balfour has risen from the ashes once more. I do wish you would do something permanent about that sometime soon, Malloryn. I grow weary of looking over my shoulder."
"If he was so easy to kill, I would have done it. He's a cockroach."
"Then he means trouble?" Sir Gideon looked worried. "You think he'll make another attempt on the queen's life?"
"In the least. I've sent orders to have the guards doubled."
The queen made a vexed sound in her throat. "Let me guess..., you're here to convince me to cancel a certain number of my forthcoming engagements."
Malloryn didn't bother to lie. The queen knew him too well. "Yes."
Alexandra pushed to her feet, her skirts swishing around her ankles. "My fifteen-year anniversary is coming up."
"I know."
