Page 34 of Wolf's Bane
She snatched her hand away and the cloth. “I can manage, thank you.”
“Ah, I see.” He stepped back, frowning. “I do hope that you know I hold you in great esteem.”
Yes, this was the proposal. She closed her eyes, wanting to be anyplace but there. Perhaps if she wasn’t watching him, he would finish quicker.
“Your father is among my closest acquaintances. I want nothing more than your family’s happiness. Particularly your happiness.”
This was it.
“Colonel Chambers, I—” she started.
“You’re charming and more than pretty enough.”
Solenne cracked open an eye. Pretty enough?
“I wish you every happiness,” he continued, “but I’m afraid that I cannot share that happiness with you. I know you’re disappointed. Your father indicated, several times, might I add, that you would be receptive to my attention.”
“Youcannotshare my happiness? I must confess, this is the strangest proposal,” she blurted out.
Chambers took a deliberate step back. “My apologies if I’ve given you the wrong impression, but this is not a proposal. It’s rather the opposite.”
Oh.
Well, that made her unreasonably pleased.
“I fear I am a man ill-suited to marriage. I am rather set in my ways. I know Godwin had hopes of a connection, but I’m afraid I must disappoint. And, if I’m being honest, I believe your heart lies elsewhere.”
Solenne felt herself blush, not realizing she had been that obvious with Alek. “Thank you for being forthright and clearing up any confusion.”
“If I said or did anything to mislead you, I sincerely apologize.” He gave her hand a perfunctory pat. “Enjoy the air. I believe I must return to my host duties.”
When Chambers departed, Solenne pressed a hand to her chest with relief.
Aleksandar
Boxon Hill
Marechal House - the Courtyard
“Oww!”The wooden sword clattered to the pavement, and Luis rubbed his shoulder.
“Perhaps you would be faster if you had not drunk so much last night.”
“Two glasses of wine! I’m hardly a drunk. Stop enjoying this.”
“I am not enjoying this.” Alek suppressed a smirk, noting that Luis did not deny being hung over.
He motioned for Luis to resume his stance, then sprang into an attack. Surprised, Luis quickly recovered. He placed too much importance on form and posture, as if a monster would wait for him to assume fighting stance number three. In the heat of the hunt, there was no time for formalities. Survival boiled down to action and reaction.
Truthfully, he had enjoyed little since his return to the Marechals. Well, he enjoyed the dance with Solenne. He did not enjoy the uncomfortable clothes he had to wear. He had not enjoyed leaving Solenne alone with that man last night. He did not enjoy watching them step out into the night for privacy. Loathing swelled inside of him, and the beast wanted to tear its rival to shreds.
It demanded that Alek march out and challenge his rival for Solenne.
He left, rather than make a fool of himself, because what did he offer her? Chambers had a grand house, money to splash about on frivolities like dances, and Alek turned up uninvited, wearing rags. Despite cleaning his coat and carefully mending the shirt, his clothes were worn and ill-fitting.
His only consolation was that Solenne appeared as miserable as he, which was a terrible thought. He should want her happiness, even if it meant his own misery. That morning, when the light crept across the bedroom floor, he could not find that spirit of generosity in himself. His beast was a selfish, greedy thing.
The practice sword smacked Luis across the shoulder. Again.
