House of Shadows (Royal Houses 2)

She curtsied lower at the acknowledgment.

He issued more pleasantries before releasing them to the court. All Kerrigan wanted to do was turn and run the other direction. She’d had a long day. It was the first she’d flown in a month, and she was exhausted. But one look at March, and she knew that she would have to speak to him before fleeing.

“Lady Argon,” March said formally as he approached her. He took her hand and bowed deeply.

Kerrigan could feel Fordham stiffen next to her. “March,” she said with a curtsy. “Do I have you to thank for this trip?”

His eyes gleamed. “I might have suggested it to my dear great-aunt. I missed you at the fall Season in Venatrix. It wasn’t the same without you. I hope we’ll get to spend more time together at this one.”

“Perhaps,” she said coyly, searching for an excuse to get away.

“I’d like to call on you while you’re in Rosemont for the week.”

Kerrigan gulped. How could she say no to that? “I would like that,” she lied. He grinned, as if triumphant, and she continued, “However, I have training.”

“Training? You have the week off.”

“Not me,” she said.

“Well, I could come watch your training,” he offered. “Or meet you afterward.”

Gods, he was persistent.

“I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”

He blinked. “Whatever for?”

She hated the words that were about to come out of her mouth. This wasn’t what she wanted out of this trip, but if she stayed in Rosemont, she’d be stuck with March the entire time. There’d be no escape.

“I’m going home.”

His eyes rounded. That was the last thing he’d expected. “To Corsica?”

“Yes. To Waisley,” she whispered. She hadn’t uttered that word in twelve years. Couldn’t even think about Waisley without a fresh pang of despair. And now, she was committed.

“I didn’t think that you still considered the House of Cruse home.”

“It’s the first time I’ve been back. I’d like to see the estate and train on my own lands,” she told him, her heart aching at the very thought.

“I could… accompany you.”

They both knew it wasn’t proper for him to even suggest it. Courting had rules. Seeing her here was one thing, but returning home with her when they were betrothed without an invitation from her father was something else entirely.

“You could write to Kivrin,” she said easily. “If he’s there…”

He nodded. “I’ll do just that.” He bent at the waist once more, bringing her hand to his lips. “I look forward to seeing you again in your home. I have many fond memories of Waisley myself.”

She shivered as he departed. Yeah, she remembered him skinning live squirrels and tormenting her. He didn’t seem like that boy any longer, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. She needed a way out of this engagement and fast. Perhaps her father would be home at Waisley, and they could correct this egregious error.

38

The Estate

“We can’t train here,” Kerrigan told Fordham the next morning as she threw all of her clothes back into her traveling bag.

He blinked at her in confusion. “Why ever not?”

“Ashby March.”

“Ah. And what does your fiancé have to do with this?”

“He wants to court me. I had to think of a way to get rid of him.”

Fordham was quiet for a moment before asking, “And what did you decide?”

“I’m going home.”

“All the way back to Kinkadia?” he asked in confusion.

She sighed and looked back at him finally. “No. I suppose you will get to see my home, as I saw yours. We’re to go to Corsica, where the heart of the House of Cruse is. My father’s estate, Waisley.”

Now, his eyebrows rose, and he crossed his arms. “All this to escape Lord March? Couldn’t you just break off the engagement?”

“I don’t know. Kivrin said he’d look into it, and I intend to find a way to do it. I am not marrying him.” She sighed and threw her last cloak into the bag. “I have enough to figure out, Fordham. Basem’s killer is still loose, and we have no proof that it’s Lorian. Zina disappeared into the wind with our only hope of getting information about Mei. Not to mention, my probation.”

“I understand,” he said, stepping up and holding her shoulders. “You’ve dealt with a lot. I should be on probation right there with you.”

“But you never will be.”

“Only because you sent me for help.”

“We’re not having this discussion again,” she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “If I hadn’t sent you ahead, then I’d have been kicked out.”

“I still think—”

“Well, it didn’t happen. Now, get your bag. I have a month of training to make up for in ten days, and we have to be back for the party.”

He glared at her interruption, but he went for his bag and came back with his pack. Kerrigan left a note for Audria, explaining as much of the situation as she dared. She’d gone into the spirit world this morning to explain to Tieran where they were going. He agreed to meet her in the stables. Though he objected to the name since he was not some ridiculous horse. Kerrigan laughing at the comparison hadn’t helped his ego.