Page 116 of Heart of Iron
“Yes, well,” Lena said, “I don’t believe they’ll be having me back anytime soon.”
Charlie peered at her eyes.“I like them,” he declared.
“Why, thank you.”She laughed, then realized that Blade and Honoria were exchanging another of those long glances that spoke volumes.“Why?What is it?”
“Leo’s visited three times,” Honoria said.“The prince consort wants to know why Will isn’t doing his duty and has requested Lena’s presence.Leo’s trying to placate him.”
“They’re signin’ the treaty tomorrow,” Blade said.“If the Norwegians will come to the party.”
Will eased a possessive hand over her shoulder.“They can’t see Lena.Spreadin’ the loupe’s punishable by death.”
Lena’s hand shot to his.“What do you mean?”She looked from him to Blade.“They won’t hurt Will, will they?”
“Not if I’ve anythin’ to say ’bout it.”Blade sobered.“It’s too late to ’ide.The prince consort already knows.I believe the Lady Astrid told him.She probably thought it didn’t matter much.”
“He wouldn’t dare hurt Will,” she said, finding her feet and dragging the blanket tighter around her.“He can’t risk alienating the Scandinavians until they’ve signed the treaty.Will, your best chance is to make an appearance tomorrow, force his hand.Make him publicly acknowledge me and what has happened when he must keep face with the Scandinavians.”
Will glared down at her.“I ain’t takin’ you into the heart of the Echelon.Not with the Norwegian’s allegiance still in doubt and them pasty-faced maggots swarmin’ round us.Not ’til the treaty’s signed and you’re safe by the law.”
“But they won’t change the law unless the Norwegians sign,” she said softly.“Do you think they will?”
Will’s silence was answer enough.“Astrid and Eric helped us.But they ain’t the ones in power.And I don’t think the Fenrir rules with his heart.I think he knows exactly which way he’s gonna play this and why.”
“Then we need to convince him otherwise,” she said earnestly.“I know you don’t want me in danger.But I’m not about to sit and watch when it’syourhead that’s on the line!”
“No.”
“You promised we’d work together—”
“Unless I thought it were dangerous—”
“For you!Not for me.”
“You don’t know that,” Will snapped.“You’ve never been spat at or had women hide their children from you.You’ve never been trapped in a cage, Lena, whilst the blue bloods sneered that that was where you belonged.I tried to tell you.This is a different world and I’m so bloody sorry for that.I’ll try to get them to sign the treaty, but I won’t risk you.Not again.I couldn’t bear to lose you.You know that.”
She took a deep breath.Arguing with him was futile.She had to be rational if she had any chance of winning his approval.“You don’t know the court.You don’t know the dangers to be encountered there.You don’t see them because you don’t play such games yourself, therefore you don’t expect them to be played.”He opened his mouth but she hurried on, determined to finish.“It won’t be knives or fists or fights in dark alleys, Will.It’ll be played with words.You wouldn’t even realize the trouble until you were buried in it.You need me.I know this world.I know how to play the game.”
“I won’t put you in danger.”
“If you fail, then you die,” she replied bluntly.“And there’ll be nobody to protect me.Especially not the law.”
He didn’t like that.“Damn it, Lena—”
“You know I’m right.”
Strain whitened his jaw and his eyes rolled with white.But his shoulders slumped and she knew she had him.
“You don’t leave my side.Not even for a moment.If anyone makes a move against you, Iwillkill ’em.”
“I believe you,” she said softly.Sensing his distress—to let her do this went against every instinct he owned—she stroked his hand.“Thank you.”
“Well.Never thought I’d see the day.”Blade laughed, then clapped Will on the back.“You know you’re in trouble when you been outmaneuvered by a mere slip of a lass.”
“Don’t you laugh,” Honoria warned.“I think it’s time we dusted off your court clothes and made an appearance.We can help guard Lena.”
Blade winced.“The Echelon’s gonna love that.”
***
