Despite the emotional turmoil, she chuckled. “Kar—you were a novelty on Earth, too.”
“Don’t tell me—” Jaryk muttered.
“She’s right, I was,” Karma said.
He shook his head and looked at Kismet. “Will you be all right alone for a few minutes? I, uh, need to check on something.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll be right back, I promise.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Karma said.
“I don’t need a babysitter!” Sure, she’d felt a little uneasy, but she was a grown-ass woman. “I’ll be fine. Do what you need to do.”
He touched her shoulder and disappeared into the throng.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Karma said.
“I guess I’ll find out when he returns.”
“Are you two okay, then? You made up?”
“We didn’t get to talk. He barely got back for the ball.”
“Did you find out why he was gone for so long?”
“A storm grounded his transport.”
“I knew it had to be something like that. The man loves you.”
Kismet looked at her in surprise. “You called him a pig-dog-polecat.”
“But he’s adevotedpig-dog-polecat,” she retorted and then narrowed her eyes.
“What is it? What are you looking at?”
“That woman keeps staring at us.”
“What woman?”
“The one about to pop out of her lavender dress.” She pointed surreptitiously with her pinky.
The deep V of the woman’s daring sleeveless gown exposed most of her ample breasts. Long blue hair was gathered over one shoulder, the better to display her bare skin. Flawless makeup enhanced regal features, but there was nothing majestic about her haughty, disapproving scowl.
Karma pointedly wrinkled her nose.
“Please, don’t do that,” Kismet said.
“Why not? She’s glowering atus.”
“One, we don’t know who she is. She could be someone important.” Probably everybody here was important. “Second, I’m married to the crown prince. We’re living among the royal family. We must practice a little decorum,” she chided.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll try to rein in my worst impulses.”
“You can start now.”
“I said I was sorry—”
