Page 120 of Hollow Court
I hardly had time to contemplate the nuances of our conversation, or the way I had woken up entangled in his arms, or even what it meant that I had sought him out again in the first place.
My day had started out impossibly late and been filled to the brim with activities. Tomorrow was finally the autumn festival, so there was even more to be done than usual.
Jocelyn walked me through the village preparations,so I would know for next time,and I looked at her askance.
“It will be important to know, no matter what estate you wind up with, Darling,” she assured me, continuing with her explanations.
She had carefully avoided the subject of my betrothal to her son all afternoon, though something in her countenance made me wonder if she’d heard the rumors about last night’s sleeping arrangements.
Still, I was relieved when she didn’t ask me any questions about it, or make any comments regarding the nature of my relationship with her son.
Our work carried us through to dinner, and I only just had enough time to freshen up and change before meeting Davin to greet the incoming guests.
Several of the noble families were staying at the castle again for the festival. Including, rather unfortunately, Laird Tavish.
His insistence on staying at the estate had been yet another way for him to throw down the gauntlet. Public opinion of him was waning, but he was determined to be seen as Laird of Lithlinglau.
Though his constant attempts at undermining Davin were frustrating, they weren’t necessarily surprising. Per usual, he planted his seeds, sowing rumors among the courtiers while Davin and I systematically worked to uproot them.
What did surprise me, though, was when Gwyn spoke up after dinner when Davin made to escort me back to my rooms.
“I’ll take her.”
Davin’s eyes widened in suspicion, and he arched an eyebrow. “Gwynnie?”
“I’m headed to my rooms anyway,” she insisted. “Besides, you have to go make nice with the lairds.” She gestured toward the men who were once again headed toward the smoking room.
“It’s fine,” I assured him, though I wasn’t sure that was true.
The duchess wasn’t exactly my biggest fan, so I had trouble believing that her reasons were as transparent as she was trying to make them appear.
“Perfect,” she said with a wide, false smile, pulling me from the dining room out into the hall.
Gal let out a low whistle as he watched us leave, shooting me an apologetic glance as we rounded the corner out of view.
Neither of us spoke until we got to my rooms.
“Best check for assailants,” she announced, ducking into my closet.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes but didn’t argue. She wasn’t exactly swimming in patience, so I knew she would get to her real reason for being here soon enough.
“You should wear this tomorrow,” she said, pulling out a deep purple gown and laying it on the bed. “It feels like autumn and will give off subconscious vibes of royalty.”
Royalty vibes or not, it was stunning, with golden brocaded stitching along the hem and corset, and long, trailing sleeves.
Ducking back into my closet, she returned with a simple necklace, one from home. A golden strand with an amethyst dripping from the center, and earrings to match.
Once she was finished choosing my ensemble for the festival, she made her way around the rest of the room, keeping up a string of advice about the festival tomorrow, expectations, things to look out for, things even Jocelyn hadn’t thought to mention.
“That’s…helpful of you,” I commented, raking my fingers over the soft fabric of the gown.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked, pulling my attention back to her.
I scoffed, giving her a disbelieving look, and she shrugged a slim shoulder in false innocence.
Apparently, I would need to go a blunter route. “Well, I was under the impression that you didn’t particularly like me.”
“You weren’t wrong,” she said simply.