He gripped her hand firmly. “Partner.”
She pulled her hand away as warmth rushed to her face. “If I am to live here for a month, I expect you to let everyone know that we are not … involved in any way.”
“We will be involved. We’ll be working together. And since it is forbidden to speak of the curse, we’ll have to keep our investigation secret. The easiest way for us to spend time together with no one suspecting is to let them think we’re lovers.”
“I don’t want people thinking that!”
His mouth curled up. “Too late.”
She huffed. “Aren’t you offended by the idea? People will think you’re sleeping with the enemy.”
“They’ll think I have excellent taste.”
“What? Haven’t you seen how people look at me?”
“No. I’m too busy staring at you, myself. Do you really not know how beautiful you are?”
Her mouth dropped open.
He leaned closer to peer into her mouth. “Even your teeth look good.”
“Stop that!” She stepped back. The scoundrel was playing with her. She couldn’t believe half of what he said.
He gave her an exasperated look. “Can you have Eviana ready to leave before dawn?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He opened the door and strode through the dressing room into the nursery.
Gwennore followed him and discovered that Olenka had returned. She was wearing an elaborate pink ball gown and long white gloves. Her wrists were encircled with numerous sparkling bracelets. A gleaming ruby necklace matched the tiara perched on top of her perfectly coiffed hair.
She sank into a deep curtsy. “My lord. I hope you are pleased with the great care I have given your guests.”
He nodded as he passed by. “Yes, thank you.”
Olenka jumped up and scurried after him. “Is there anything else I can do? Shall I arrange for a private room for you and…” She glanced back at Gwennore.
“No!” Gwennore winced. She hadn’t meant to shout.
The general’s eyes danced with mischief. “It will be difficult to spend a night away from my darling Gwennie, but she should remain here with the child tonight.”
Gwennore hissed in a breath. Blast him.
A knock sounded on the door, then Dimitri opened it and let several servants enter. They were carrying trays filled with food and a cake topped with three candles.
A birthday cake? Gwennore dashed toward Eviana. “Look! There’s a cake for you.”
Eviana squealed with delight.
The general smiled as he spoke to the little girl in Eberoni. “Happy birthday. I wish I had something new to give you, but if you like, you may take three of the toys here with you when you go home tomorrow.”
Eviana bounced on her feet, clapping her hands.
Gwennore gave the general a shy smile. “Thank you.”
He winked at her.
Her smile turned into a glare.
With a chuckle, he strode from the room. Dimitri gave him a wry look, then closed the door after the servants left.
“Isn’t he dreamy?” Olenka pressed her hands to her chest.
“I know.” Nissa filled a plate for Eviana. “He had me go to the kitchen to order the cake and food.” She glanced at Gwennore. “Would you like some, my lady?”
Gwennore shook her head. She was too tense right now to think of food. She’d just struck a bargain to work with the general, and she still didn’t know what to make of him. Was he a hero or a scoundrel? Either way, he made her heart flutter and her knees grow weak.
No doubt, he could protect her physically. But what about her feelings? If she wasn’t very careful, she could lose her heart.
Chapter Seven
Late that night, Aleksi knocked on Silas’s bedchamber door to let him know that the king had returned.
“Is everything set for tomorrow morning?” Silas asked his friend as they strode down the hallway.
Aleksi nodded. “I rented a barge. And I’ll have our horses saddled and ready in the courtyard at dawn.”
“Excellent.” Silas glanced around to make sure no one was in sight. Luckily, it looked like everyone in the southern wing had already retired for the night. Even so, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “Lady Gwennore will be returning here with us.”
“Really? Why?”
“I believe she can help me investigate the so-called curse. Our work will be secret, though, so not a word to anyone other than Dimitri.”
Aleksi gave him an incredulous look. “You’re going to trust an elf with our problems?”
“She has no ties to Woodwyn.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“I know about her past. She grew up on the Isle of Moon with the queens Luciana and Brigitta—”
“She might tell them about the curse,” Aleksi grumbled.
“If we get rid of the curse, it’ll no longer matter.” Silas waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about Gwennore. I can read her thoughts, so I know she’s trustworthy.”
With a dubious look, Aleksi glanced away.
“What?” Silas asked.
“I can hear her, too. She keeps calling you General Gorgeous.”
Silas snorted. “What does that have to with anything?”
“You might not be seeing things clearly if you’re enjoying her flattery.”
“I see very clearly. Sometimes, I think I’m the only one around here who does. Or I did. Gwennore actually thinks like me, so we’ll make a good team.”
Aleksi grimaced.
“What?” Silas’s voice grew louder with exasperation.
“You have me, Dimitri and Lady Margosha helping you,” Aleksi mumbled. “I don’t know why you need anyone else.”
Silas slanted an amused look at his young captain. Since their other friend, Dimitri, was only a few months younger than Silas, the two of them had grown up as sparring partners. Aleksi, however, was five years younger and had followed the two older boys around like a puppy. Even now, he tended to get grumpy if he felt he was being overlooked.
After delivering a light punch to Aleksi’s shoulder, Silas explained, “Gwennore has a special gift no one else has. With her help, we could finally make some progress.”
Aleksi sighed. “The curse has been going on for five hundred years. It’s probably
