Funny, his horror, it pleased her in a small way. Regal had never liked ugly things. He destroyed them or walked away. But there would be no walking away from Perri this evening.
“Cruddy hell, woman! You’re the stuff of night-”
“Don’t.” Perri warned. Aware of Brandth standing at her shoulder issuing a low feral growl. “Currently I have made no claim upon you. Am happy to consider our time apart as an official estrangement, and our marriage legally over… but… if you harangue, disparage, or annoy me, I might just change my mind and make my claim for everyone here to note. Then they’ll be witnesses to how you have treated your poor injured wife. And might begin to wonder how you would treat their own daughter or sibling if a match were to be agreed upon.”
“I do not think they would judge me so harshly… just look at you. Who would not repudiate such a monstrous visage?”
Regal’s words didn’t touch Perri, she cared naught what he thought, it was a heady… freeing moment. “Careful, neighbour, perhaps I should remind you of how much respect and admiration I have garnered saving Baron Heathscote’s life today. I already have a sky high pile of invitations to meet with aristos who require my advice or care… and I believe they value their health much more highly than my few scars. In fact, I think my scars might just reinforce what a healing legend I am. For if I have access to medicines that can aid me to survive scars such as these, think what other miracles I might be able to perform?”
Sour faced, Regal clamped his lips together for a moment. Clearly rethinking whatever it was he’d been about to say.
“In fact, I should probably enquire after your health, Regal. Are you under the weather?”
“It’s this place, the Palace. I’ve been moved to a suite above the kitchens and it’s as hot as hades, and noisier than all the nine circles of hell. And don’t get me started on the incompetent staff. They should be fired, the lot of them. Just look what the laundry did to my trousers… all my trousers. These are the best of the bunch. And the boot boy wrecked my only hunting boots, destroyed them, cruddy little idiot.”
“Astonishing, I have just discovered my sympathy well is completely dry.”
Eyes narrowing, Regal glared daggers, his gaze abruptly shifting over Perri’s shoulder. “And just what role are you intending to play in all this, Lord Lurker? Hired Muscle? Or… wait, are you two actually… together?” Regal chuckled cruelly. “Gods, how do you stand opening your eyes every morning to see-”
“Careful, Baron Soutner. I’m a man capable of playing many parts. Godson to the Queen. Best friend to the Prince. Although I believe I particularly shine when called upon to play the role of horrified witness, as poor bewildered and frightened Perri stabs you in the heart with a scalpel because you attacked her… I think I would put it about that you went mad due to your too tight trousers.”
Rolling his eyes, Regal shifted, and then shifted again, trying to discreetly tug at the crotch of his pants. “What do you want, woman?”
There was no point in lying or hedging. “Levi.”
“My heir?”
“Do you really see him as such? Do you really consider him… fit enough to be your heir?”
“He’s a tenacious little tick is what he is. Limping about in the shadows. Hanging on to my teat, but forever avoiding me.”
“We both know you have plans to replace him, Regal. So why not allow me to remove the burden?”
“He would still be my heir!”
“What if he signed his rights away?”
“Unless you’re willing to include five hundred sovereigns in the deal, you’ll never get your hands on him, Perri.”
“Done.” Brandth interjected smoothly. “When would you like to conduct said business? I know, how about tomorrow at noon, during the garden party in honour of the last summer roses? Down by the river bank under the puff willow trees.”
Perri wanted to shrug off Brandth’s hand as it wrapped around her elbow and began pulling her away. Regal hadn’t actually agreed to anything as yet. There was still more to discuss and agree upon. Scowling Brandth’s way as he leaned over to whisper into her ear.
“You’ve pricked his pride and I’ve arranged for him to meet with us in a somewhat secluded locale.”
“He hasn’t agreed to sign over Levi yet.” Perri scolded darkly in a hissing whisper.
“And he never will. A man like that never gives up anything freely, no matter how worthless he privately deems it. I could see it in his eyes. He doesn’t just want Levi dead, he wishes you gone also. And I have… oops, naively provided him with a secluded location and time to once and for all rid himself of his wife, and the annoying man who has the audacity to now claim what was once his.”
“He might believe he owns Levi, but he feels nothing for me except perhaps horror that I have the gall to taint his perfect world with my face looking like this.”
“No… that’s not it, or not all of it. I see seething well deep hatred for you flicker in Soutner’s eyes. He loathes that you left him.”
“I didn’t leave him. He abandoned me to die in a field of my grievous injuries.”
“I didn’t say he was a sane or rational man, did I? Now. Let’s adjourn somewhere shadowy and dark. You can elaborate on your plan for tomorrow, whilst I admire the button work on this magnificent dress of yours.”
They were in the midst of planning a murder and Brandth wanted to get her naked and have fun… surprisingly, Perri was very much okay with that addition to this evening’s agenda. Very much okay indeed.
