The Betrothed (The Betrothed 1)

“Really?” I asked, coming close to the window to inspect.

“Yes. And if Sullivan needs my tiny fingers to finish off a piece of jewelry or Silas needs me to polish a sword, they put a blue handkerchief in the window. I’m always keeping my eye out for it.”

“That’s such a remarkable skill they have,” I commented in awe. “I can sew, but that’s where my talents end.”

“Not so!” she protested. “You dance so well, and you are twice the conversationalist of anyone in Isolte.” I didn’t want to tell her that was hardly a compliment. “But I admire my brothers, too. It’s unique for anyone in Isolte to pursue something that might be considered artistic. And even between the two of them, what they do is so different.”

“How?” I asked, looking at the glassless window of the outbuilding, trying to make out if that was Silas or his brother moving across it.

“Sullivan’s work . . . he needs fire, but it’s much more delicate. The amount of metal he uses at one time is much smaller, so, all things considered, it’s much safer. He could probably do it indoors if he chose.”

“It looks like he sticks close to Silas as much as possible.”

She nodded. “Always has. I don’t think any of us understand him the way Silas does. People think he’s distant, but he’s not. He just doesn’t know what to say.”

I gave her a sad smile. “I know that feeling all too well. So what is it that Silas does out there, then?”

“It’s far more dangerous. He’s plunging huge chunks of metal into fire, pulling them out, and then hammering them until they bend into the right shape. He’s burned himself a few times, and at least twice we worried he’d really damaged his arm. Thankfully, we know how to stave off infection, so he’s been fine.”

“Thank goodness.” It was well known that healers in Isolte had made far more medical advancements than we had in Coroa. If Isolte could use our dances and music and art, could we not use their knowledge about medicine and herbs and the stars? I had a feeling that, if we asked, we could send people to study. My guess was both Jameson and his father would never have let their pride down long enough to make the request. “He seems to be good at what he does, though.”

“One of the best,” Scarlet bragged.

I smiled. “Well, his sister is an excellent teacher and friend, so this is for you. A thank-you for agreeing to help with Crowning Day.”

She took the parcel and walked over to the table. “For me?”

“Yes. And I want you to know that I’m trying to preemptively set at least part of my household. I’d happily have you in it, but I’m going to need some time with Delia Grace before I can convince her of your many virtues. I hope you won’t mind waiting until I can talk her into being a bit more . . . open-minded.”

She looked at me over her shoulder. “I mean this in the nicest possible way, but I don’t see Delia Grace ever being open-minded.”

I chuckled. For how little time she’d spent with her, Scarlet already understood Delia Grace better than most. I thought of her searching eyes that first day she’d walked into the Great Room; I wondered just how much this girl knew about life in the castle.

“Besides, I’d have had to turn you down anyway,” she went on. “We’re hoping to settle out in the country soon, somewhere with a lot of land and quiet.”

I wasn’t sure how to take that news. I certainly felt a twinge of sadness, but there was also a rush of relief. At some point, I wouldn’t stand a chance of running into Silas down these hallways, of seeing him awash with the colors streaming from the stained glass. I really didn’t have room for more surprises—or mistakes—in my life. I could be free of them once he was out of the palace for good.

I snapped back to the present, trying to carry on a normal conversation.

“Coroa has some fine lands. I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.”

She unwrapped the gift and gasped in delight. “Hollis, I love it!” She hugged the dress to her chest.

“I left material in case we need to make it longer. You’re very tall.”

She laughed. “I know. And look at the sleeves.”

“I just thought you’d like to match everyone else when we finally get to do this dance, and I did so appreciate your help. Though Saul was my favorite dance partner of the day.”

“He hasn’t smiled that much in ages. That alone was a gift for all of us.”

Something about the wistful tone of her voice almost made me want to cry. I wondered if I’d ever understand all that they’d been through.

“Good,” I said, not sure what else there was to say. “Well, I’d better be off. Someone has a private meeting with Queen Valentina today, thanks to the insight of a certain new friend,” I said, eyeing her.

“The food?”

“I stuffed her full of Coroan treats. She loved it. Thank you.”

“Anytime, Hollis. Genuinely.”

She was still holding up her dress, pressing it against her to see how it would fit.

“Good day, Lady Scarlet.”

Her eyes changed. She must have abandoned hope of being called a lady ever again. I pulled the door shut behind me, making my way back to the queen’s rooms and thinking of how I’d laughed at Scarlet under my breath that first day in the Great Room. I felt so silly for not understanding then what I did now: we weren’t that different. Not her, not Valentina, not Nora. In the end, we made enemies with our heads, but we unmade them with our hearts.

Twenty

I SAT IN FRONT OF my vanity, playing with my hair. As per Valentina’s request, I’d dismissed my ladies for the evening, so, for the very first time, I was alone in my new rooms. I took a moment to close my eyes and appreciate the aloneness. The palace was never really silent, and I supposed that was one of the things I’d come to love about it. The fire was making crackles and sparks, and I could hear the distant click of footsteps above me. Outside the window, the city that came right up to the castle was far from settling. I heard horses on the streets, men calling out orders, and people laughing in the open evening air. If I focused, I could even hear oars slapping the waters of the river. Unlike the noise in the Great Room, these sounds were a welcome song.

My whole life, I’d found so much delight in dancing and tournaments and company that I never realized how lovely a moment of stillness was. I’d discovered it far too late.

I opened my eyes to the knock at the door and paused a second before realizing I had to tend to it myself. Valentina was smiling, wiggling a small leather purse.

“I hope you’re prepared to hand over your fortune, Lady Hollis. In my day I’d rob the gentlemen of court blind.” She walked past me without waiting for an invitation. While it irritated me to no end when my mother did that, it felt quite natural from Valentina, and I couldn’t help but feel it added to her charm.

“Not anymore?” I asked, taking a seat at the table in the greeting area.

She shook her head. “No. The men of court keep their distance now. The ladies, too.” She threw her little bag down and surveyed the room, peeking around the wall into the bed space before coming to sit. “You have beautiful rooms.”