Page 25 of Hollow Court
“Then why is there a vote?”
“Because I’m trying to get them to agree that since my mother was married to Laird Anderson at the time of my birth and he claimed me as his heir, the law applies…even though my real father eventually adopted me.”
I blinked several times, trying to wrap my head around the complex politics and familial drama.
“Understandably,” he went on, “there isn’t much precedence. So it will hinge largely on a popularity vote and whether they think I’m the best person to run the estate, which is where our very important and believable betrothal comes in.”
“Yes, very believable, the way you two barely look at each other,” the duchess chimed in.
Gallagher frowned. “She’s not wrong. And the soldiers talk.”
Davin cleared his throat. “Well, it needs to be kept under wraps until we reach the tunnels anyway, but I’ll be sure to gaze longingly into Galina’s eyes at every opportunity thereafter.”
To think, there had been a time when I believed hewasstaring longingly into my eyes. At least I knew better now.
“This is all a lot of trouble to go to just because you don’t like someone,” I commented.
Davin ran a hand through his hair, tousling the short obsidian strands. “It’s not that I don’t like them—though I don’t, for that matter. It’s that Lithlinglau has both substantial resources and influence, and I don’t trust what they would do with those things.”
“No one does,” Gwyn added. “When I said arseholes, I meant arseholes who want our family off the throne by any means necessary.”
“We suspect,” Gallagher cut in.
“We know,” Gwyn corrected. “We just don’t have proof.”
“Let alone the fact that they care little and less about any of the people who would be under their purview,” Davin added. “My aunt and uncle can’t be everywhere, and it’s my job to care for Lithlinglau.”
His aunt and uncle, King and Queen of Lochlann. That was still difficult for me to wrap my head around when the Davin I knew had been a commoner.
This one was a marquess, in charge of trade agreements for the whole kingdom and more territory than my uncle’s entire clan. It was hard enough, leaving everything I knew behind. Worse still to realize my partner in this ruse was a stranger.
But it was still, eternally, better than the alternative.
I wondered if I would ever get the opportunity to stop living my life by that dubious standard.
* * *
The next fewdays passed more quickly than I expected them to.
My years of extensive etiquette lessons had included Lochlannian customs, but it had been some time since I reviewed them. So I took advantage of the endless hours in the carriage to be sure there were no gaps in my knowledge, and to learn as much as I could about the Lochlannian court.
It was a convenient distraction from the blinding panic that overtook me every time the carriage slowed, when I was sure Alexei or my uncle had discovered my subterfuge.
In fact, we were so immersed in discussing the nuances of court politics, I was almost surprised when the gaping maw of the tunnel came into sight.
Soldiers stood sentry on either side of the narrow entrance, darkness pouring from the pathway that would lead me further from home than I had ever been.
And I abruptly realized that even though I had prepared for this, I was in no way ready. Because this was it. If I turned around right now, I could find a way back to my estate before anyone knew I was missing. My father would help cover for me, that much I knew by now. I could still go home, and…
And what?
Marry Alexei?
Davin’s deep voice intruded on my thoughts. “Having second thoughts about our whirlwind romance?”
Was I that obvious?
“No.” The word left my lips before the thought had finished forming, but it resonated down to my soul.