“Mother!”
“Oh, it’s ancient history. Now, you will tell me everything, or I shall make it my business to ask Lady Alia in person. I must say… this is turning out to be the most exciting end of summer festivities we’ve had in years. The ladies of the last few years were so dull, but this year’s lot certainly appear to be showing some promise. Don’t you agree, darling? Now, start with who is trying to kill Lady Alia, and don’t leave anything out.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“My mother knows about us.”
Alia almost stumbled, luckily Talac covered for her. Good heavens. The Queen knew she was a woman of loose morals who’d spent the night with her son? Alia was going to be sick.
“I had to tell her everything, about the Beast, the attacks… and Soutner.”
Um. “So, she knows…?”
“That I’m helping you kill him? Yes.”
No mention of the Queen knowing about their after dark bedroom activities, only her intention to murder Regal. Surprisingly, Alia found herself relaxing. Talac wouldn’t have told the Queen unless he trusted her. “So…?”
“She approves, says Soutner sounds ghastly.”
The Queen approved of her murderous plans?
“Although she did say if you get caught, you’ll be tried, condemned, and hanged just like any other murderer.”
“Of course.” Alia followed Talac’s lead as he manoeuvred them to the right. It was a sedate, almost walking dance they were participating in on the massive front lawns of the Palace. A dance designed so that couples might chat and get to know one another under the watchful distant eyes of their chaperones. Or in Alia and Talac’s case, chat about assassination plots and how to get away with murdering an evil aristo killer.
Talac had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this. Alia was his fourth partner tonight. Enduring a turn around the grass with each of the candidates just so he could get this private moment to chat. And the poor man still had three more dance partners eagerly waiting on the sidelines for their turn.
“Did you note Elliott Heathscote is here? Deacon asked around at the stables. He arrived a few scant hours ahead of us, to join his uncle for the festival. It seems the new Lady Heathscote is a cousin of Lady Niah, and they’re here to show support.”
“Yes, I had Raschion enquire of his whereabouts over the past few days. He’s been holed up in a nearby tavern playing cards. Fleecing anyone willing to play with him. He could have slipped in and out of the Palace unseen though. There’s a distinct possibility he’s behind the attacks on you and the one spreading rumours. You need to be on your guard tomorrow, out in the woods. You do still intend to go through with your plan, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Alia nodded, she’d shared with Talac in the pre-dawn hours her intention to use an untraceable arrow and shoot Regal Soutner during the proposed early morning hunt scheduled for first thing tomorrow.
“I don’t like it. Now Elliott’s in the picture. Not to mention all the candidates’ fathers and brothers will be wandering around armed… any of them could just as likely shoot you, and call it a dreadful accident after the fact.”
“We discussed this. You can’t be anywhere near me during the hunt. Too many people glom on to you, watch you, waiting for a moment to curry favour. The last thing I need is a crowd of witnesses present to watch me do the deed.”
“You need someone out there watching your back.”
“That’s why I’m taking Deacon with me.”
The musicians were winding up the song, their dance about to be over. Talac squeezed Alia’s hand tightly, drawing her attention upwards. His gaze tinged with a hint of concern in them that made her gut heat. “Promise me you’ll be careful. If you don’t have a clear shot, you’re not to force it. Better to try again at a later date than give Soutner a warning of your plans.”
“I promise.” The music stopped. Alia reluctantly released Talac’s hand, performing a hybrid bow curtesy that she had perfected that didn’t look too silly, given she was wearing trousers and a jacket. Talac proffered his elbow to escort her off the makeshift dance area, his arm flexing under her touch.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” All Alia’s instincts were on edge following the near poisoning incident.
“No. Just caught sight of an aristo I despise. Pompous know it all who never shuts up about his obsession with ancient military footwear. I plan to introduce him to Miss Jacquene… another candidate who I have recently discovered I have an abiding brotherly affection for.”
Ten minutes later Alia was sipping mead and watching from afar as Talac and Jacquene completed their dance promenade, and he made a great show of spying a tall thin bookish man, leading Jacquene over to introduce her. The crowd erupting in fevered shock as after a short chat Talac placed Jacquene’s hand upon the aristo’s arm and pushed the two of them out on to the dance floor.
And then there were six.
* * *
Alia came to an abrupt halt by the light green flag at the forest’s edge. Crud. This was not the assigned group of hunters she’d been expecting to be paired up with.
“Lady Evagene. Lady Niah.”
