The Thirteenth Man by J.L. Doty

Author:J.L. Doty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

In the hope of getting Arthur reinstated, Charlie wanted to propose at the meeting of the Ten that they open an inquiry into Cesare’s death. Both Rierma and Winston vehemently opposed that on the grounds that Charlie’s ducal estates were too weak to force the issue, he’d accomplish nothing, and might open up a precedent that would allow Theode and Gaida to interfere in de Lunis internal affairs. So Charlie swallowed his pride, tried not to think of his brother’s predicament, and kept his mouth shut.

The meeting of the Ten went off with only a few minor incidents. Chelko angrily opposed everything that Lucius proposed, and Charlie was pretty sure he’d say black if the king said white. There was nothing of significance on the agenda, though, so on Winston’s advice Charlie adopted a low profile and didn’t speak out on any issues. He voted his conscience on a few, voted with the majority on the rest, and tried to avoid establishing any visible pattern.

After the meeting, a page delivered a message that Lady Carristan wished to speak with him. Charlie followed the page to a sitting room and found Delilah there alone, though she stood looking the other way and was not immediately aware of his presence. But as the page closed the door she turned toward him, and he watched the look on her face slowly transform from a pleasant smile to a cold, expressionless stare.

“Your Highness,” he said.

With only the slightest movement of her lips she said, “Your Grace. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I was told to come here. I didn’t know you’d be here, and I don’t mean to upset you. That said,” he went on, moving a bit closer, “I’m not going to waste this opportunity. I’ve wanted to speak with you, to apologize for our last meeting. I erred badly.”

The look she gave him could have cut him in two. “Yes you did. And my schedule doesn’t allow me time to speak with you now.”

She walked toward him, toward the door actually, for he stood just within the threshold. She started to step around him, but he back-­stepped and put his back to the door, blocking her.

“Do you detain me against my will?” she asked quietly, and he noticed her eyes glance upward right and left, a very cautious, furtive action.

“No,” he said, realizing she wouldn’t listen to him regardless of what he said or did. He stepped aside. She opened the door and left.

The next morning he departed Almsburg.

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