Cold Magics (43 page)

“Great minds think alike,” said Thomas, stepping out of his tower and locking the door behind him. “Tell Eileen,” he stopped himself. “Tell Miss Gobhann that I would be honoured. Where shall we meet?”

“At the door to the great hall,” said Rose with another curtsey. “She will be there presently.”

It was just his luck that Amelia was in the great hall talking to Lord William when Thomas came down. William’s eyes were still slightly bruised from when Thomas had hit him during the brawl, but at least his nose, while obviously broken, hadn’t healed crooked. Thomas thought about retreating, but not soon enough.

“Why there he is!” exclaimed Amelia. “Thomas! I was looking for you!” She gave Lord William’s hand a quick squeeze before going to Thomas. “I need to have words with you,” she said sternly, shaking her finger as she came forward. “You’ll be making an appearance at the banquet tonight, won’t you?”

“I will,” said Thomas.

“Well, that’s good, because that southern priest wants to talk to you, I’m sure, and I would hate for him not to get a chance to speak to you in person this time, instead of having that little man—what was his name?”

“Father Alphonse,” guessed Thomas.

“Yes, him. Instead of having him asking after you through the entirety of dinner. And you didn’t tell me there was a price on your head in the South. You told my parents you’d been cleared of all charges.”

“I was,” said Thomas, managing not to grit his teeth. “And I wasn’t aware there was a price on my head.”

“A rather high one, too, apparently. And I can’t think why you would still have a price on your head if you were cleared.” Amelia’s eyes lit up. “Unless you’ve done something else to annoy them?”

“I have not.”

“I’m surprised,” said Lord William. “I thought you specialized in annoying people.”

“No, I leave that to your kind,” said Thomas, staring directly into William’s eyes.

William stiffened and Thomas waited, fully expecting the man to challenge him. Amelia spoke before William could. “Now, Thomas! William didn’t start the brawl, you know.”

“In fact, I thought it was all in rather bad taste,” said William.

“Which didn’t stop you from trying to punch me in the head.”

“I didn’t know it was you!” said William, heatedly. “All I knew is there was a brawl and someone ran into me! And then you broke my nose!”

“You were hitting me!”

“I missed!”

“Gentlemen! Really!” Amelia laughed and tapped each of them on the shoulder. “This is the past, which is hardly interesting. I want to hear about your plans for tonight.” She stepped between them, facing Thomas. “William is taking me to the banquet. Are you taking Eileen?”

“I expect so.”

“Well, don’t wait too long or Baron Goshawk may take her for you.” Amelia smiled at William over her shoulder. “And we wouldn’t want her to miss the excitement, right?”

William’s expression immediately soured. “I think it’s time we were leaving.”

“Excitement?” repeated Thomas, looking at William’s disgruntled expression. “What excitement?”

“Well, William was telling me that there’s talk of challenging you to a duel,” said Amelia, smiling over her shoulder at William. “In fact, he’s been telling me that there’s talk of little else since Eileen stabbed Lord Charles. Though why they are coming after you is beyond me.”

“I have several ideas,” said Thomas.
Because they are cowards and stupid and want to make sure Eileen is alone and helpless
. “None of them complimentary.”

“It’s a waste of time, in my opinion,” said William. “Baron Goshawk’s been spending an awful lot of time with your Eileen. If he’s interested in her then there’s no point in putting you out of the picture.”

If that’s why they’re after me.

“Just what I was thinking,” said Amelia. “After all, he is a nobleman of high standing and if Eileen goes with him, Thomas will be out in the cold, and the boys won’t stand a chance with her. Speaking of whom, Eileen!”

“Thomas!” Eileen called from the other door. She was walking as fast as she could without running which, given her outfit, would have been manifestly unwise. The dress was starched and stiff, its skirts long enough that a hurried step would certainly mean tripping, and its bodice brocaded and boned to make deep breaths almost impossible. That, plus the thick coat and cloak she wore over the clothes, made running practically impossible.

Thomas held out his hands, but Eileen stopped in front of him and dropped into a graceful curtsey. Thomas was about to ask why when he spotted Lady Prellham a few steps behind.

“Very nice,” said Amelia. “Much better than three days ago.”

“I spent half of yesterday practising it,” Eileen said without looking at Amelia. She extended a hand to Thomas. He took it, noting the redness of her eyes and the tight lines around her mouth that appeared when she looked at Amelia and Lord William.

Thomas bowed deep and kissed her hand, letting his lips linger on it just a moment longer than was proper etiquette. Eileen let go of his hand and stepped back from him. Lady Prellham remained a few paces away, her chin high, her glance at Thomas speaking volumes of disapproval.

Amelia stepped closer to Eileen and whispered. “So how is Lady Prellham? Is she as strict as everyone says?”

“I have no idea what everyone is saying,” Eileen said, her tone just a shade too civil.

“But surely you hear them talking of her?” Amelia whispered.

Lady Prellham cleared her throat and Amelia fell silent. “Are you ready, Miss?”

“I am,” said Eileen. “If you are, Thomas.”

“I am,” Thomas managed a smile. “Miss Eileen.”

Eileen managed a slightly annoyed smile back.

“And where is it you are going?” asked Amelia. “Are you off for some shopping? I know some lovely shops.”

“Miss Eileen,” said Lady Prellham, “is picking up her dress for tonight’s banquet.”

“Then you must let me come with you,” Amelia gushed. “And Lord William will come, too, won’t you, my lord? It will be a fine outing.”

“Unfortunately, I cannot,” said William, his face straight, though Thomas was sure he caught a glimpse of relief in the man’s eyes. “Lord John has asked us all to attend on him this afternoon, to discuss matters of the court.”

A thought struck Thomas. “How is it you are at court, Lord William? I mean, instead of at home?”

“I was invited,” said William, “for the occasion of Lord John’s twenty-fourth birthday, this past summer. The revels lasted a month, and then the enemy began his attacks and the duke declared it unsafe for us to leave the castle.”

“Lord John invited you?”

“Oh, no. We were a surprise for Lord John. His brother invited us.”

“Henry?”

“Richard.”

“Well, I will still come,” declared Amelia. “Do you have a carriage ready?”

“Baron Goshawk has graciously loaned us his carriage,” said Lady Prellham. S
he looked to Eileen. “Miss Eileen, shall Amelia accompany us?”

Th
e lady’s use of Eileen’s title and Amelia’s first name was as subtle a snub as Thomas had ever seen, and he had to force himself not to smile.

“I do wish you could,” said Eileen, “but the carriage we have called will only hold four. Lady Prellham and Rose must accompany me, and with Thomas acting as my escort, I am afraid there is no room.” She smiled. “But I do thank you.”

“Not to worry,” said Amelia. “But we must catch up later, you and I. I want to hear all about you adventures with Baron Goshawk this week.” She smiled prettily at Thomas. “See you at the banquet.”

“Shall we go?” asked Lady Prellham, watching Amelia guide Lord William out on her arm.

“We shall,” said Eileen, holding out a hand. “Thomas?”

Thomas bowed and offered her his arm. The two walked out together, Lady Prellham and Rose following. “That,” said Thomas over his shoulder as soon Amelia was out of an earshot, “was very impressive.”

Lady Prellham inclined her head, but said nothing more. The four passed out of the great hall into the courtyard. The chill clawed at their faces, their breaths turning to clouds of frost in the air.

“Colder than it was yesterday,” said Thomas.

“Aye,” said Eileen. “Rose was saying winters here are so cold your skin can freeze as soon as you step outside.”

Thomas thought of the refugees huddled in their doorways and felt himself shivering in sympathy as he opened the door to Baron Goshawk’s carriage. The matched pair of horses were stamping their feet to keep warm and the driver was huddled tight under a fur wrap. Thomas held the door for the ladies, then climbed in after. He found himself sitting beside Lady Prellham. Rose and Eileen were on one side, quickly bundling themselves under two of the three fur wraps that lay in the carriage. Thomas took the other and handed it to Lady Prellham. He had an sneaking suspicion that Baron Goshawk had arranged it that way deliberately. He wished he could wrap himself together with Eileen. Unfortunately, Lady Prellham’s eye was firmly fixed on him and the expression on her face told Thomas he was there on her sufferance alone.

Thomas wrapped his cloak more tightly around his body and worked on not shivering. The ride was not a fast one. The driver drove his animals cautiously, avoiding the worst of the ice and keeping them on firm footing.

“So where are we going?” asked Thomas.

“Anna’s,” said Lady Prellham. “We had Miss Gobhann measured several days ago, and have been assured the dress would be ready today.”

“I really think we’re spending too much of Henry’s money,” said Eileen.

“Nonsense,” Lady Prellham waved away the idea. “Anna’s is ideal for a lady of your station.”

“My father said I wouldn’t have one of Anna’s dresses until the day I was to be married, if he lived so long,” Rose said. “He’s always saying things like that.”

“And with such a prattler as you I am not surprised,” said Lady Prellham, silencing Rose. Eileen’s lips made a hard line, but she didn’t say anything. “But expense is not an object, according to Lord Henry, so Anna’s it is.” Lady Prellham cast an eye over Thomas. “You should find yourself more suitable clothing, young Thomas. You cannot be seen wearing the same clothes to every banquet.”

“Unfortunately, expense is a concern for me, Lady Prellham,” said Thomas.

“You are Lord Henry’s agent,” said Lady Prellham. “Dress better. Especially if you wish to be seen in the presence of young ladies of the court.”

“Not that you’re doing
that
much these days,” said Eileen. “I’ve barely seen you for a week.”

“I’ve been busy,” Thomas protested.

“Too busy to come see me?”

Thomas felt a sinking feeling grow in his stomach. “I’ve seen you every day at breakfast.”

“But you haven’t
come over
to see me, or ask me to do things with you,” said Eileen. “I’ve seen Baron Goshawk more than you.”

Because I asked him to watch out for you.
Thomas knew exactly how much trouble that answer was going to get him into, and quickly looked for another one. “Baron Goshawk has more time than I do.”

“You can’t make time for me?” Eileen’s voice had a dangerous edge to it.

“It isn’t that!”
How do I get myself out of this?
“I’ve been out every day talking to the refugees.”

“And you couldn’t ask me to go with you?”

“No, I couldn’t!” Thomas felt himself on firmer ground. “You weren’t going to be allowed out without Lady Prellham and Rose, and do you think the men in the streets would talk to me if I had you three with me?”

“I could have come out without them!”

“You most certainly could not!” Lady Prellham said.

“I could if George said I could! And he would have if Thomas had asked him!”

“It was too dangerous,” said Thomas.

“It wasn’t too dangerous before!”

“You didn’t have the lords after you before!”

“And you thought I was safer in a castle full of them then out on the street with you?”

“You weren’t alone in the castle! You had Lady Prellham and Rose and—” he bit down on the words
Baron Goshawk
and instead said, “and out on the streets with me it would have been just us.”

“But none of the idiots,” said Eileen.

“They are lords,” interrupted Lady Prellham.

“They’re idiots!” said Eileen. “They’re a bunch of stupid boys who are just looking for a chance to go after Thomas!”

“I’t’s not me they’re going to go after!” snapped Thomas. “You’re the one they’ve been chasing!”

“And now that they can’t do that, who do you think they’ve been plotting against?” demanded Eileen. Lady Prellham was glaring at Thomas and Eileen now, and Rose was looking at her feet. Eileen ignored them both. “Amelia told me that the only reason they haven’t been chasing you through the streets is because Lord John has been keeping them too busy!”

“And, of course, what Amelia says must be true,” said Thomas, realizing a moment later that it usually was.

“I don’t want you killed!”

“I don’t want you killed! Or do you think just because you’re with me they’d run away?”

“At least I’d be with you!” It was nearly a shout. “You’ve barely talked to me in a week!”

“Well, with Goshawk there I hardly had a chance to get a word in edgewise!”
Of course, if I hadn’t asked him to be there..
.

“You’re supposed to be courting me! You can’t do that if you’re dead!”

Thomas opened his mouth to protest but Lady Prellham spoke first. “Thomas is not courting you anymore. You are sister to a knight. You do not court commoners.”

Thomas rounded on her. “We are courting with the blessing of her parents.”

“Not if you don’t come around,” muttered Eileen.

“Eileen!” Thomas closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then another. By the third, he had most of his thoughts sorted. “Eileen, I’m sorry that you were worried about me, and I’m sorry that I couldn’t take you with me—”

“You could if you wanted.”

“Eileen! I promised your father you would be safe, and you were safer in the castle than you would be in the streets!” He took another breath and forced himself calm. “We can’t court if you’re dead, either.”