Page 39 of Tattered Huntress
My eyes narrowed. ‘Mayhave?’
‘Okay,’ he conceded. ‘Ididjudge you unfairly and I apologise sincerely for being prejudiced. I’ve known one or two spider’s silk users in the past and they’ve caused … problems.’ His mouth tightened. ‘I’m not trying to make excuses for my behaviour, I just want to explain. I should apologise.’
I waited. When nothing else was forthcoming, I raised an eyebrow. ‘Go on then.’
‘What?’
‘Apologise.’
He gave a sharp laugh. ‘You don’t take any prisoners, do you?’ He bowed deeply. ‘Miss Carter,’ he said formally. ‘I apologise wholeheartedly for my behaviour towards you. It was unnecessary and impolite. I acted unfairly. Your addiction to spider’s silk is none of my business and I should not have judged you. I was ungentlemanly and you deserve better.’ He straightened up and looked me in the eyes.
Bloody hell, I couldn’t fault that apology. I wasn’t sorry I’d sent Duchess to his castle – I wasn’t prepared to go that far – but I acknowledged the fact that he was trying to placate me.
‘Daisy,’ I said, suddenly wishing I didn’t sound quite so grudging. I cleared my throat. ‘Call me Daisy.’
Hugo’s grin returned and he held out his hand. ‘Hugo. It’s nice to meet you.’
Against my better judgement, I took his hand and shook it. His grip was warm and firm but without the pressure that some people employed when they were trying to exert their authority.
‘We won’t ever be best friends, Daisy,’ he said. ‘But for the purposes of the competition, I’d like to get along as much as we can. I’ll understand if you don’t want to take the olive branch I’m offering, but it is genuine.’
I wasn’t wholly convinced I could trust him and I certainly didn’t want to be his friend, but a truce would be good. And I could always be a better person. I sniffed. ‘Alright.’
His eyes held mine for a long moment. ‘Good,’ he said finally, his tone surprisingly soft. ‘I’d like us to be able to get along.’
‘Daisy,’ Hester said plaintively from a spot by my feet. ‘Your magic telephone isn’t working.’
I ripped my gaze away from Hugo and glanced down to see that Otis was jabbing furiously at the screen but nothing was happening. ‘Here,’ I told the brownies. ‘Let me unlock it for you.’
I reached for it as Hugo turned away and knelt down to start assembling my tent. As I did so, I saw that there were three missed calls from my mum and my blood immediately froze. I’d told my parents I’d probably be out of touch for a few weeks. Mum would only call repeatedly if there was a problem.
I straightened up, gripped the phone more tightly and marched towards Hugo’s cluster of expensive tents. With my stomach churning, I called my mum, praying that nothing disastrous had happened. Please be well. I crossed my fingers.Please.
When she answered on the fourth ring, I gaspedaloud in relief. I gestured to Otis and Hester, who were flapping along beside, me to stay quiet. ‘What is it?’ I demanded. ‘Has something happened?’
‘Daisy, darling!’
‘You’ve called three times,’ I said. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Wrong? Not exactly. Both your father and I are well. It’s just that something’s happened that I thought you should know about.’
I stiffened. ‘What?’
‘There’s been a strange man asking questions about you. He’s been around all the neighbours and he’s knocked on our door to talk to us. It’s been disconcerting and I’m concerned about his intentions.’ She paused. ‘I think he’s an elf. Like you.’
Mum and Dad had adopted me when I was a baby. They were human and they didn’t know any elves apart from me. ‘Youthinkhe’s an elf?’
She sighed. ‘Iknowhe’s an elf. Maybe he’s a friend of yours?’ She sounded doubtful and I didn’t blame her. I scarcely knew any elves. A prickle of discomfort itched at the skin between my shoulder blades.
I swivelled round and gazed at Hugo, who was already hammering tent pegs into the ground. ‘What does he look like?’
‘Pointed ears, dark hair. I asked for his name and he wouldn’t tell me, but he spoke to June down the road and she said he was called Rizwan Matcliffe.’
My gaze hardened instantly. There’d been an elf called Rizwan with Hugo at the Royal Elvish Institute. I’d noticed him at Neidpath Castle as well but, now I thought about it, I’d not seen him with the other Primes since the start of the treasure hunt. No prizes for guessing who had sent him to dig up the dirt on me. So much for Hugo Pemberville’s olive branch. That fucking bastard. I should have trusted my instincts.
‘I know who he is. You don’t have to worry about him,Mum.’ The last thing I wanted was to worry her. ‘He’s an old friend who’s been trying to get in touch,’ I lied. ‘I’ll give him a ring and tell him to stop bothering you. Let me know if he comes around again, though.’
‘I will. How are you doing? Are you eating properly? Are you looking after yourself?’
