Page 62 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
"If the opportunity presents itself, I might," he responds.
"So you weren't intending to tell me about Lady Wentworth?" I think I know the answer, but I want to hear him say it.
"No. You can't expect me to tell you all of my secrets, Beatrice. Some of them I'm keeping from you for your own good."
"Mmm." I'm not sure I believe him, but I recognise why he might think that. In theory, he's placing me in a position that outranks him, and he has to be prepared for the consequences of that. Besides, I'm probably something of a mystery to him too. He's had centuries to learn how court works and what to look out for when it comes to the various people trying to grasp at power, but he's only had a few months to get to know me, and has no way of knowing what I'm really thinking.
"If you're not opposed to Lady Wentworth's appointment, then I will reach out to her and offer her a place amongst your ladies on your behalf."
"Thank you." I can't help feeling like this might be a kind of done deal, but it's best if I don't think about that too much. I suppose it's not the worst thing in the world to have a secret bodyguard, especially when the interests of House Rothorne also involve keeping Linc alive. For now, at least. But that's a problem for another day. One where I know more about the man sitting across from me and exactly what he wants.
TWELVE
Despite the fact I've entered the royal apartments a lot of times in the past few weeks, it feels entirely different to be walking into them along with my family. Maybe it's because of the way Lord Fallmartin commands any room he's in, or it might be because I'm a little self-conscious about the number of servants who are greeting me warmly, drawing knowing looks from Bella. She's already figured out that I've been spending a lot of evenings here, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that the servants know who I am.
Large double doors I've never been through swing open as we approach and a footman steps ahead of us. "Introducing Lord Fallmartin of House Rothorne, accompanied by Lord and Lady Vermouten, Lord Bastian Fallmartin and Lady Ermentrude, and Lady Beatrice Fallmartin," he says.
I take a deep breath and enter the room, dipping into a curtsy the moment we approach the King and Queen.
Everything Marcus and Linc have said about her has created an image in my mind that is nothing like the radiant woman in front of me. She's younger than I expect, but that's just because I'm still not used to the lack of aging around here, and her hair is the exact same shade as mine. That's not where the similarities end though, and it's clear that the House Rothorne looks are strong within us both.
"Your Majesties," I say with a dip of my head.
"Welcome, Lady Beatrice," the King says.
"Thank you for the honour of allowing my family to join yours for a meal this evening." I resist the urge to look at Lord Fallmartin for confirmation that I'm saying the right thing. He coached me several times on the way over here about how this is supposed to go, I have to trust that I know what I'm doing.
"The honour is ours, especially when you shall soon be joining our family." He turns to greet Lord Fallmartin and I take the opportunity to head straight over to the person I actually want to see.
Linc's nose is a little swollen and there are bruises under his eyes, making me worry about just how hard Bastian punched him. I rush over as fast as I can with everyone watching me. "Are you all right?" I reach up to touch his face, not caring about anyone else.
He smiles, wincing slightly. "I've been better."
"You should drink some blood."
"What do you think this is?" He lifts a goblet. "I'm lucky, really. It's given me a good reason to tell Father that I won't be drinking wine tonight. I'll be drinking blood so that it doesn't look like your brother punched me next time I'm seen in public."
I grimace. "I'm sorry he did that."
Linc grins. "Worth it."
My whole body flashes hot and cold at his words. "Lord Fallmartin said he's talked to Bastian about not doing it again."
"Are you sure? Because he's looking at me like he wants to kill me." He nods over to where Bastian is standing with his wife.
Sure enough, my brother's eyes are narrowed and he's glaring at Linc as if he's his biggest enemy.
I sigh. "I thought we got somewhere over breakfast the other day. I suppose there's only a few days until he won't be able to be annoyed about this."
Linc chuckles. "It's sweet that you think us being married is going to make your brother hate me less."
I open my mouth to respond, but shut it again when I realise I don't know what I can say about it. "All right, true. But he won't be able to say anything about it when we spend the night together," I respond. "We can do that every night."
"I'm looking forward to waking up with you in my arms and not running away to get back to House Rothorne."
"Me too," I respond. "Being able to see you every day is the part I'm looking forward to the most."
His lips curl up into a smile. "Is that so? Because you've kind of hinted at maybe looking to something else more."
