Gwenyth was already venturing guesses as to what the royal cook would serve for our first meal. “Swan,” she said. “Cooked and fully re-feathered. I’ve heard that’s how they serve them to King Leofric’s guests.”
The front courtyard of the castle had such beautifully maintained hedges and rows of flowers that I wondered whether magic was involved in their upkeep or just exceptionally good gardeners. A large pond sat in the middle of a grassy area, most likely well-stocked with fish. A fountain burbled and sprayed at its center.
I scanned the place for the stables and saw two long buildings. One for the king’s horses and one for his guests’. There must be nearly as many horses here as there were people. Lords and ladies strolled the grounds. The coach ahead of us dropped off its visitors by the front entrance and rolled off toward the coach house.
Our carriage pulled into the courtyard. “Heavens,” Gwenyth said louder than a genteel woman would, “take a gander at the fountain.”
I wasn’t looking at the fountain. I was watching the Somertons. The mother and daughter were off to one side near the castle entrance, talking to a wizard there. A tall man with smooth black hair tied at the nape of his neck. He was angled so I couldn’t see his face.
But still, my heart stuttered.
It isn’t Ronan, I told myself. I was only noting the resemblance because I was worried about seeing him here. Mathematically speaking, what were the chances the first man I saw inside the castle grounds would be Ronan?
Probability was completely against it.
Mathematics, it turns out, can lie. We climbed from our carriage and made our way toward the large castle doors and the footman waiting there to greet us. As we walked closer to theSomertons, the man turned slightly, and I could tell that yes, he was most definitely Ronan.
I may have cursed.
He was older, his shoulders broader, and his jaw a bit wider. Nothing else had changed about him. He was just as handsome as my memory had painted him.
Ronan turned his head, casually taking us in, and just as casually returned his attention to the Somertons.
He didn’t recognize me. A surprised breath pushed past my lips. I wasn’t sure whether to be hurt or relieved.
Then his head swung back in my direction, his eyes wide, holding mine.
My pulse skittered and my footsteps felt precarious.
I expected him to detach himself from the Somertons and come say something to me. My presence here, dressed as a highborn woman, would intrigue him enough to question me. Or, at the very least, our past friendship merited a greeting.
My heart pounded in anticipation. He didn’t take a step toward me. Instead, he turned back to the Somertons as though nothing out of the ordinary had just transpired.
That stung as sharp as a slap. He’d professed to severing relations between us for my safety. With Wolfson no longer my master or his, such reasons held no sway. I mattered so little to him that even satisfying his curiosity as to the nature of my rise in station wasn’t worth the effort of speaking to me. My cheeks flushed hot with humiliation, and I was glad he was no longer looking at me.
Unfortunately, Lady Edith swept directly over to Lady Somerton, and I had no choice but to follow.
“Lady Winifred,” Lady Edith said, all gracious cordiality. “How good to see you again. You haven’t changed one bit in ten years.”
Lady Winifred returned the greeting. I hardly heard what was said. Ronan had turned to me. The intensity in his eyes and the coloring at his neck revealed he wasn’t as unaffected by our meeting as I’d supposed. He seemed not to know what to say or if he should say anything at all.
Lady Edith said my name, and I realized she was introducing me to the Somertons. The daughter, Floris, eyed me coolly. My throat felt too tight to allow speech, but I managed to smile and mumble, “I’m happy to make your acquaintance.”
Lady Winifred returned my smile and continued to speak to Lady Edith. “I don’t recall you having a daughter.”
“She’s my sister’s child,” Lady Edith clarified, relaying the story the renegades had concocted. “A sister who, alas, became estranged from my family and fell on hard times before her and her husband’s unfortunate deaths. I was quite unaware of Marcella’s existence. Once I learned of her, I immediately brought her to Paxworth.”
I felt Ronan’s gaze on me but wouldn’t meet his eyes. He’d never heard me mention highborn relatives. I didn’t want to see his eyebrows raised in disbelief.
“How fortunate for you both.” A slight tone of disapproval laced Lady Winifred’s voice. I was unsure if the disapproval was directed at me for having disreputable parents or at Lady Edith for admitting our relation.
Ronan cleared his throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
So, he wasn’t going to reveal he knew me. My eyes went to his. Was he protecting my story, or did he just not want to admit to a relationship with someone who’d been a servant? Even though Lady Edith never disclosed the nature of my circumstances before she located me, Lord and Lady Haddock of Carendale might remember me, as well as any number of wizards from Docendum.
Ronan’s expression gave away nothing. His earlier discomfort had vanished, replaced by confidence. “I hope you enjoy your time at court.”
Lady Edith thanked him, said her goodbyes to Lady Winifred, and we made our way to the castle doors.