Page 33 of Heart of Iron
“Why would Lena be afraid of him?”
Barrons straightened, a dangerous look coming into his obsidian eyes.“What do you mean?”
“Had business with her last night.When I found her she were terrified.O’ him.”
Barrons leaned back in his chair.“Tell me.”
Will relayed the story, omitting any mention of the code or the letter.“Don’t know ’im.Ain’t never heard much about him.”He scratched at the stubble on his jaw.“Is he dangerous?”
“All blue bloods are dangerous.”
Will met his stare.“Can he get to her?”
For once, Barrons’s cool composure vanished.Uncertainty shadowed his brow.“I don’t know.She has a companion and she only ever attends events with a chaperone or myself.But there are ways to get around that for a man like Colchester.”
“What does he want with her?”
“I can only presume,” Barrons replied.“Vengeance against me.Or perhaps some interest in Lena herself.Rumor has it he’s hunting for another thrall.”
“You wouldn’t let that happen?”
Barrons leveled an intense look upon him.“What’s your interest in the matter?”
“Blade protects his own,” he replied promptly.“And I protect him.He wouldn’t survive goin’ up against another duke.I want this stopped before it gets to that.”
“I see.”Barrons gestured toward the chair facing him.“How do you propose to stop it?”
Will sank into the chair.“Thought of a way to protect Lena and help with the prince consort’s task.Killin’ two birds with one stone, so to speak.”
Barrons gestured for him to continue.
“This ruse of the prince consort’s—me, dressed up like a court jester and bobbin’ to his tune—it ain’t gonna work.I don’t know nothin’ of court ways.”
“And?”
“Who better to teach me than Lena?Keep me from makin’ too big a fool of meself, or steppin’ on the wrong toes.”
“Unless they happen to be Colchester’s…upon whom you wish to step quite firmly, if I may guess where this is going?”Barrons leaned forward.“He’s a dangerous man, Will.”
“So am I.”
Barrons examined him for a long moment.Then nodded.“A verwulfen bodyguard.It would certainly give most sane men pause.Done.I’ll inform her that she’s to help present you to the court and squire you about.”
“If she’s with me, then he can’t make a move.”
“Don’t do anything untoward,” Barrons warned.“Remember your cause—if you kill Colchester, you can wave good-bye to any assistance or goodwill from the prince consort.Including this reform of the laws that you are so anxious to establish.”
Will bared his teeth in an anticipatory smile.“Would you like to let Lena know about her new duties, or can I?”
***
“Hike in blood taxes!”the headlines screamed.
Lena dipped her spoon into the crater of her boiled egg, her gaze darting over the article.“Mrs.Wade, have you seen this?”she asked, gesturing with the spoon.Runny yolk dripped over the paper and she hastily put it down.“They’re raising the blood taxes!From two pints a year to three.Anyone who hasn’t donated in the last month must attend a mandatory bloodletting in the next two months.”
“A young lady doesn’t speak of such things.Especially over the breakfast table.”Meticulously carving her sausage, Mrs.Wade’s lips thinned.“Have you read the society pages?What did you think of the description of Miss Hambley’s gown?”
“A withered daffodil?Rather accurate, if I do say so,” she replied distantly.“It must be in response to the draining factories burning down.The Echelon must be dangerously short of blood supplies.”
