The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty

Author:Erin Beaty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Imprint

43

LORD FASHELL HAD them for only one night, but he went all out, treating his guests to a full banquet. He’d even produced a quartet of musicians, which meant there would be dancing afterward, too. Sage struggled through dinner. She was seated far from Clare and next to the younger sons of the household. Like most men she met, they spent the evening trying to impress her with their accomplishments and connections. Belatedly she remembered she had a job to do, and her mind automatically began tallying what she would write down later, but she still listened with only one ear.

“As the nearest estate to Tegann, we have a great responsibility to Duke D’Amiran,” the one on her right said.

Sage’s head whipped around at the mention of the duke. “Oh really?”

The young man—green eyes, left-handed, sunburned, one inch taller than her, callused hands, well-used dagger at his side … what was his name?… Bartholomew—continued, “Almost everyone going to or from the capital stays here. Right now the pass is still closed to wagons, so there will be a backup of travelers. You ladies have places reserved at Tegann, of course, so you’ll wait there until it’s clear, but soon the fortress will be crowded. Some may turn back to us if the rains take too long to arrive.”

“Father received several letters today, begging his hospitality in advance,” put in the brother on her left (blue eyes, right-handed, missing half his left pinky). “Fortunately, he can afford it.”

She widened her eyes. “You have an advantage over me! I have no idea who’ll be there.”

The brothers rattled off names, many of which she recognized but made little sense. Few had enough property to be considered seriously for a Concordium match, and most had something in common she couldn’t put her thumb on. As she’d never met any of them, however, she encouraged the young men to describe each one, laughing and commenting on how witty their impressions were.

When the last plates were cleared away, both brothers asked her to dance, and she forced them to flip a coin to see who would get the favor first. As Bartholomew led her away, she cast a disappointed pout to the other—what was his name?—to placate him. She was pleased to see Lieutenant Gramwell had taken Clare to a quiet corner, reminding Sage she still needed to speak with Darnessa, and she grimaced. The matchmaker would probably not be happy over what was developing. Sage was surprised she hadn’t already noticed.

“Is something wrong, my lady?” her partner asked.

“Oh, no,” Sage said with false brightness. “I just remembered I tore the hem of my blue dress getting down from that wretched wagon, and I forgot to tell the maid to fix it.” She made a sulky face. “I don’t think it will be repaired in time for the first banquet at Tegann, and it’s my best color.”

“Now I’m disappointed, Lady Sagerra, that I shan’t see it, if it looks even lovelier than this one.”

She blushed. “Don’t tease me; you know I’ll be married in just a few weeks.

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