Page 29 of Wolf's Bane
The fierceness of Tristan’s visage was ruined by a silk coat, cut in the fashion of fifty years prior, complete with trousers and a rather limp gray cravat around his throat.
“The taxidermist was remarkably skilled. Was he called Tristan in life?” Chambers rubbed the snout, fingers coming away with a layer of dust.
“He was Grandfather’s dearest friend, Tristan Wodehouse.” Saying the words made her feel ill. The curse forced her grandfather to end the life of his friend. It was the hard truth of their lives, but he chose to humiliate the corpse of his friend, stuffed and put on display in a costume and a cravat.
“Wodehouse? I say.” He peered closer, as if searching for a familial resemblance. “Wodehouse always hinted that something hinky happened with the line of succession.” He stood abruptly. “Shame.”
“He should have been buried in his family plot,” she said, surprised by the vehemence in her voice. Luis knew her feelings regarding Tristan, but few others did.
“I suppose it is educational.”
She huffed, not bothering to hide her feelings behind a mask of politeness. “It is a farce. Tristan was a person, once. Whatever misfortune happened to him, he was meant to be a friend, and he deserves respect, even in death. Especially in death.”
She couldn’t express how much it disturbed her. Slaying cursed beasts was a responsibility, a duty not done lightly. This was cruel.
Godwin had stories that his father used to haul Tristan down to the dining room for meals. He was used as a prop for japes and tricks. It was tasteless behavior, but what should she expect from the same man who squandered away most of the family’s dwindling fortune?
“You feel strongly, Miss Marechal. Is it compassion for the beast you feel?” Chambers watched her with interest, the light through the windows giving his eyes a hard sheen.
“I loathe it, Colonel Chambers. It is a cruelty made for the amusement of a selfish man.” She took a breath to calm herself. “Father refuses to have it destroyed. He claims it is of historical note.” Her eyes drifted to a gap on a bookshelf, evidence of what her father did not have qualms about burning.
Chambers approached the stuffed beast again, as if to examine it once more with this new information. From the coat’s breast pocket, he removed a pair of spectacles and slipped them on. “I agree. Whatever the intentions behind its creation, the average man seldom has a chance to meet such a creature face to face. It is unnerving, like one of those carnival mirrors.”
About to ask him what he saw when he looked at the beast’s face, a loud shout from the window snagged her attention. It was a most intriguing sight in the courtyard.
“Hmm, they are rather loud,” Colonel Chambers commented as he joined Solenne at the window. He stood close, the sleeve of his coat brushing against her. “No wonder I cannot hold your attention, Miss Marechal.”
She blushed, caught observing Luis spar with Alek. It was rather vulgar to be staring at their sweaty forms, but it was equally rude of Chambers to call out her behavior.
“The solstice is in two days. They must be ready.” She turned her back to the view in the courtyard below.
“Yes.” A strange look crossed his face. He removed his spectacles, gently folded them, and slipped them into his coat pocket.
“My apologies. Would you care for tea?” Solenne reached for the bell, but Chambers cut her off.
“Thank you, but no. I understand you enjoy a good book, so I came to deliver a novel that recently arrived. Before the rush of the dance this evening, you understand.” Chambers pulled a blue cloth-bound volume from his pocket. “I thought you might enjoy it.”
“Is that theSeventh Evil?” she asked, interest piqued. “They say the mystery is quite riveting, and it is impossible to solve until the end.”
“Indeed. It is rather scandalous. Do not inform your father that I am in the habit of supplying respectable young women with less than edifying reading material.” His smile was sharp, too angular, as if he had too many teeth for his face. In the distance, Tristan lurked just over his shoulder.
Solenne gladly accepted the book, cracking the spine and running an appreciative hand down the creamy, smooth pages. “This is a true delight, Colonel Chambers.” She had read every book in the family’s library two or three times, more if the book was a favorite. She had readConfinement of Twilightto tatters. Fortunately, when the book would finally disintegrate, she had the contents memorized.
“Your library is most impressive, however. I fear my humble contribution rather brings down the tone,” he said, scanning the walls of books next to her.
A genuine smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. The Marechal library had older books, including several diaries from early colonists. Not original. Goodness, no. Books that precious belonged in the national library in Founding, not gathering dust in a country house on the edges of civilization. They had diaries dating back that far written by long-ago ancestors, and a rather unique volume on herbs and flowers that the colonists must have brought from the old world because Solenne had never seen such a thing as adaffodil. The illustration made it seem like a wondrous thing, like a little drop of sunshine. Those priceless books were kept on a shelf well away from sunlight.
Selling the library or even part of the collection could fix the family’s finances, and she knew that Godwin had sold a volume or two of historical note to Mr. Wodehouse. Emptying their wonderful library filled her with dread, but soon, they might not have a choice.
“Fresh stories are a challenge to find,” she said, turning her attention back to Chambers.
“Then I am delighted to be of service.” He smiled again. Perhaps it was the morning light or her happy glow at the unexpected gift, but the smile transformed his rather dull face into something pleasant. The light picked out the silver at his temples, giving him a distinguished air.
She…she could do this. Chambers was not unappealing. She could be amiable and amenable and all those other bland qualities men looked for in wives. He brought her books, so he couldn’t be all bad. She could…flirt.
She forced a smile and batted her lashes.
“Is there something in your eye?” he asked.
