Gene of Isis

‘I’m so sorry, Ashlee.’ Susan held my hand, as she could see I was fit to cry. ‘Won’t you come to the ball with us this evening—’

I held a finger to her lips. ‘I know you only wish to take my mind off my worries, but that is where my mind needs to be right now. I’ll be fine at home alone,’ I assured her. Actually, ‘home alone’ sounded extremely nice indeed.

I had dinner in my room, as I planned to begin reading the work of Douglas and Clarissa Hamilton. I was not a paragraph into the text when I felt someone leaning over my shoulder. I was startled to find Albray. ‘I thought you’d gone?’

You didn’t dismiss me, he explained.

I could feel myself blushing as I recalled being controlled by him. ‘You are an excellent swordsman,’ I commended, wishing I could control the heat rising through my cheeks.

And that was just a hand mirror, he jested. Wait until you see what we can do with a real sword.

Actually, I swear I detected a little awkwardness in his behaviour. I couldn’t see it, but I sensed an attraction. ‘Would you like me to dismiss you?’

Albray shrugged. It is a long time since I’ve been in a woman’s bedchamber. He sat down in the other chair by my reading table, with a large grin on his face. Perhaps you wish to dismiss me?

He knew I didn’t want to dismiss him. ‘I have more questions for you.’

Ahhh…I thought so. He tried not to show disappointment that I was not going to flirt with him. I’d only just discovered the art of flirting and I had to admit I did find it fun. Still, I was not in the mood for play at present.

‘What did you mean when you said I was one of the fey?’

Albray laughed. I was wondering how much longer it would be before you asked. It has to do with your bloodline—

‘An ancient bloodline of kings?’ I recalled the information I’d obtained from Mr Devere.

He nodded.

‘And Mr Devere is also of this bloodline?’ I posed.

So you’ve been told…I know only as much as you do on that count.

When there came a knock at my door, I rolled my eyes with frustration. Could I not get a moment to pursue my own interests? ‘Yes?’

Nanny entered. ‘Mr Devere is downstairs and hoped it would not be too inconvenient to speak with you.’

‘Who ever calls at this hour?’ I thought it terribly rude and inconsiderate. ‘No, Nanny, not today.’

She hesitated to comply with my wishes, which Nanny rarely did. ‘I believe his tidings are most earnest, Mistress. Won’t you spare a few minutes—’

‘Oh, very well,’ I snapped, annoyed. Every ally I had wanted me to reconcile with Mr Devere; at least if I did, I might find a minute’s peace!

Shall I come? Albray offered, a smile of mischief on his face.

‘Dismissed, dismissed, dismissed!’

Aw, he whined sweetly as he vanished.

‘Mr Devere, you asked to see me?’ I entered the downstairs drawing room, where a fire burned brightly to welcome the family upon their return home. The servants were all in their quarters and the large room was dimly lit and silent.

The gentleman assessed me for a few moments. ‘I was very sorry to hear about Lord Hereford. I wanted to be sure that all fares well with you.’

I nodded and forced a smile. ‘The authorities are saying that I caused him to have a stroke.’ I looked Mr Devere in the eye to capture his reaction.

‘I feel sure that you could do nothing but good for any man’s heart.’ He kept the conversation light but not disrespectful.

‘Really?’ I noted he was flirting with me already. ‘Have you not met my father?’

He smiled, conceding that I had not done Lord Granville’s heart much good lately. ‘I met with him today as a matter of fact.’

My good humour departed rapidly. ‘May I ask why?’

‘To inquire if he still planned to disinherit you.’

I immediately suspected that Mr Devere’s motivation was to ensure that if he proposed, I still came with a title and estates.

Mr Devere read my train of thought from my expression. ‘I didn’t want you being left destitute by this sad turn of events,’ he argued.

‘Why should that be a concern of yours?’ I protested his interference in my private life.

‘Because, if you will not consider me as a husband, you might at least come to consider me as a friend,’ he replied forthrightly.

‘You would be content just to be my friend?’ I didn’t think so. No title would come from just a friendship.