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Matthew stole my next words with a kiss I pounded on his shoulders untilhim to a pulp--subsided He pulled aith a wry shts Never"--he caught ain will Iyou"
Matthew took advantage of hly than before
"No wonder Philippe always looked so exhausted," he said ruefully when he was through "It’s very fatiguing pretending you’re in charge when your wife actually rules the roost"
"H his analysis of the dynamics of our relationship somewhat suspect
"While I have your attention, leta weaver and what happened in London" Matthew’s tone was stern "After that, there will be nospells at home Understood?"
"Proers
Alain aiting for us at the botto his usual look of circu ready?" I asked him
"Of course," heme the final menu
My eyes darted over it "Perfect The place cards are arranged? The as brought up and decanted? And you found the silver cups?"
Alain’s mouth twitched "All of your instructions were followed to the letter, Mada to think you tere going to leave lass’s efforts to dress for dinner had yielded only co leather in place of his worn denih I supposed cowboy boots qualified as for a T-shirt This particular garment instructed us to KEEP CALM AND HARLEY ON It also revealed a staggering number of tattoos
"Sorry about the shirt, Auntie It is black," Gallowglass apologized, tracking lances "Matthew sent over one of his shirts, but it split down the back when I did up the buttons"
"You look very dashing" I searched the hall for signs of our other guests I found Corra instead, perched on the statue of a ny around Sept-Tours and Saint-Lucien in exchange for pro
"What were you two doing up there all this tiave Matthew a suspicious once-over Like Gallowglass, Sarah took a li lavender shirt that extended past her hps and a pair of ankle-length beige trousers "We thought ere going to have to send up a search party"
"Diana couldn’t find her shoes," Matthew said slance toward Victoire, as standing by with a tray of drinks She had, of course, left my shoes next to the bed
"That doesn’t sound like Victoire" Sarah’s eyes narrowed
Corra squawked and chattered her teeth in agreeh her nose so that a rain of sparks fell down onto the stone floors Thankfully, there was no rug
"Honestly, Diana, couldn’t you have brought holand that wasn’t so much trouble?" Sarah looked at Corra with a sour expression
"Like what? A snow globe?" I asked
"First I was subjected to ater falling froon inwitches in the family" Ysabeau appeared in a pale silk suit that perfectly lass she took fro the Congregation is right to keep us apart"
"Drink, Mada me from the need to respond
"Thank you," I replied Her tray held not only wine but also glasses filled with ice cubes containing blue borage flowers andwater
"Hello, sister" Verin sauntered out of the salon behind Ysabeau wearing knee-high black boots and an exceedingly short, sleeveless black dress that left s exposed, as well as the tip of the scabbard strapped to her thigh
Wondering why Verin thought she needed to dine arolden arrowhead from where it had fallen inside the neck of my blouse It felt like a talisman, and it reminded me of Philippe Ysabeau’s cold eyes latched on to it
"I thought that arrowhead was lost forever," she said quietly
"Philippe gave it today" I started to lift the chain fro to her
"No Philippe wanted you to have it, and it was his to bestow" Ysabeau gently closed ers around the worn metal "You must keep this safe, my child It is very old and not easily replaced"
"Is dinner ready?" Baldwin boo at my side with the suddenness of an earthquake and his usual disregard for a warmblood’s nervous system
"It is," Alain whispered ina so in, Matthieu," Ysabeauher son by the hand
"Diana?" Baldwin prompted, his arnored his proffered arm, and marched toward the door behind Matthew and Ysabeau
"This is an order, not a request Defy ation without a second thought" Baldwin’s voice wasand to hell with the consequences If I did, Baldould win Think, I reminded myself And stay alive Then I restedhis elbow like a htly
"Why so surprised, brother?" I demanded "You’ve been positively feudal since the moment you arrived If you’re deter, we should do it properly"
"Very well, sister " Baldwin’s fist tightened under ers It was a reminder of his authority, as well as his power
Baldwin and I entered the dining rooh it were the audience chaland Fernando’s lowered at him in response
"Does that little cup have blood in it?" Sarah, seely oblivious to the tension, bent over and sniffed at Gallowglass’s plate
"I did not knoe still had these," Ysabeau said, holding up one of the engraved silver beakers
She gave me a smile as Marcus settled her into the spot to his left while Matthew rounded the table and did the honors for Phoebe, who sat opposite
"I had Alain and Marthe search for theolden arrowhead Courtly Ernst pulled out my chair "Please Everybody sit"