Page 29 of Tattle Tail
Whatever it was he was selling, his sister wasn’t buying.
“Honestly, I’m not playing. Her parents were giving her a hard time, so I agreed to be her date to take some of the heat off her.”
“You met her parents.” Not a question, but a statement of disbelief.
“Yeah. Went to their house for dinner and everything.” He neglected to mention that they ditched the dinner. Details. “She’s interesting.”
Mari narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. “No games.”
“Not playing any games.” He held up his hands in surrender.
“Fine.” Skepticism laced her voice, but she left it at that. No threats. No dire warnings. Just trusting Joseph to behave like an adult in an adult relationship.
It wasn’t a big ask. However this thing between him and Peaceable had started, it wasn’t a game to him anymore. He had never been more serious in his life.
Peaceable
The room was warm, and the lights were too bright. Peaceable felt the beginnings of a headache stir behind her eyes.
“May I have this dance?”
She turned around to face the speaker. She did not know the male.
He was a few years older than her, with silver dusting his temples. The tailored suit he wore spoke of impeccable style, understated but expensive. Her mother would fan herself, thinking about the price tag. His eyes, though…
He did not watch her with kindness or affection. His gaze was darker. Calculating.
“I do not believe we’ve been introduced,” she said.
“My apologies. I am Ardent Jostaval.” He paused for recognition.
“Any relation to Lord Resolve Jostaval?”
“His nephew.” He grinned, flashing his fangs. “My uncle was unable to make it this evening, and he sent me, along with his deepest regrets.”
“That is unfortunate,” she said, despite a sense of relief. Lord Resolve had donated generously to the fund. If he were present, his generosity might continue. However, considering their last encounter, his generosity might come with strings attached.
Ardent held out a hand. “Shall we?”
Peaceable glanced around the room, searching for an escape. She did not wish to dance with the male, not because his uncle described him as a wastrel, but to avoid contact with the slimy confidence the male oozed.
He seemed to sense her reluctance. “Surely you can spare a dance for your biggest donor?”
“Of course,” she said, accepting his hand.
The dance was older, popular decades ago, and now recently back in fashion. They moved around each other, hands touching but never for long. The dance involved many swirling motions, designed to display the elaborate gowns of a previous generation.
“You never asked my name,” she said.
Their palms touched and they separated, circling each other.
“I know who you are, Miss Daval. You’re the female who wants to steal my inheritance,” he replied. Peaceable jerked her hand away, but he clutched at her wrist. “You’re rather unmistakable.”
He released her, and she stepped to the side, still dancing as if nothing was amiss.
“You seem to be misinformed,” she said. “I declined Lord Resolve’s offer.”
“A tactic,” he said dismissively. “All part of your scheme.”
