Marek was pacing before the hearth in the very place she’d paced just hours ago. He looked grim and his eyes were shadowed with exhaustion. He didn’t hear Hollis come in, didn’t notice her until she’d moved into the room. But when he did notice her, his whole countenance changed. His face filled with light, his eyes sparked gold.
She raced across the room, leaping into his embrace. He buried his face in her hair and let out a long sigh. “What happened?” she begged him.
“So much that I hardly know where to start.” He set her on her feet.
“Did you find the soldiers?”
He nodded. “Only one, but only one foolish lad is necessary. He was homesick and stupid, and hardly old enough to be out from behind his mother’s skirts.” He shook his head.
Hollis pulled Marek down beside her onto the settee. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes a moment. “It’s Lord Dromio,” he said. He opened his eyes and sat up. “He’s the one behind it.”
“How?” she asked.
Marek began by telling her what the young soldier had said, and that the “gent” he referred to could be none other than Dromio. “It makes sense. He came a fortnight before the rest of us. He was here when Lord Douglas was paid to bring them. He meets the description the lad gave me.” He stood up and began to pace again. “I could have done more. I’ve long had a bad feeling about him, but it was nothing I could prove or put into words.” He shook his head and looked away for a long moment.
“You couldn’t have known, Marek. Did you confront him?”
Marek shook his head. “I am no one. He doesn’t care what I say—he can easily counter it, or claim I’m disgruntled. No one would take my word over his.” He glanced at her. “I sought the help of Lord Osiander.”
“Who?”
“Our minister of labor. He’s rather new to his post. He’s young and ambitious, and by everything he says, I believe him to be interested in seeing Wesloria evolve into a modern country. When I told him what I knew, he confessed that he shared my suspicions. He’s heard rumors, and said every time he tried to engage Dromio or Lord Van, he was pushed back or dismissed or left out altogether.”
“Oh, my,” Hollis said. “Then it’s all true, isn’t it? Someone does mean to overthrow the king?”
“I believe so,” Marek said. “But Osiander and I agree—there is not enough proof. We spoke at length and...we decided we must take our suspicions directly to the king. Before he sails. Hopefully before he signs the accord.”
“But that’s today!” She looked at the clock on the mantel. It was half past twelve. The signing was to happen this afternoon. “There’s no time, Marek.”
“It is out of my hands,” he said. “Osiander is attempting to get an audience but thus far has been denied. They say the king is unwell and there is much to do. Dromio has managed to remove him from any meetings with the king, and he doesn’t know what he’s been told.”
“He can’t sign the agreement!” Hollis exclaimed. But the moment she spoke the words, she realized that she was wishing to undermine her own brother-in-law.
“He likely will, Hollis. It seems too late to stop the wheels in motion. And even if there were a way to stop it, Alucia would never agree to any delays. They’ve got what they came for,morethan what they came for. Both delegations are preparing to sail. The British prime minister is hosting a final reception this evening for all parties. To try and undo it now would be...a disaster. But it may not be too late to stop what else might be planned.”
Hollis thought of Eliza and Sebastian. Eliza was so proud of her husband—this was a victory for them. This would endear Sebastian to his people. She thought of Marek, who not only had to watch his father be swindled, possibly overthrown, but also had to watch it as he carried such a burdensome secret. She thought of the people of Wesloria and Alucia, who were relying on this peace agreement to bring prosperity.
And she thought of herself. She could feel a quake rumbling in her, a true crack in her foundation. So many things felt as if they were on the verge of exploding in her. She looked at Marek. “Do you have to go now?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. I left word with a footman where I might be reached if Osiander sends for me.”
Hollis couldn’t even bring herself to look at Marek when she asked her next question. “What now?”
He didn’t answer her with words. He sat on the settee beside her again and drew her into his arms, kissed both cheeks, and then her mouth.
Hollis put her hands on his cheeks and forced him to stop. “You’re leaving.”
He looked surprised. “Je.Did you—did you expect different?”
Hollis bit back a sob and shook her head. “I didn’t dare to expect anything. I didn’t dare to dream of anything. But I...” There seemed to be no words to describe what was racing through her heart just then. Despair and resignation. “Everything has happened so fast, and I didn’t expect, but—”
“Hollis,milas,” he murmured, and lowered his head to hers, lingering there a long moment. “This may be the last opportunity we have to be alone together.”
“Oh.” She winced. “That is the saddest thing you’ve said yet.”
“Hollis.” He suddenly dropped down to one knee before her and gathered her hands in his. “This time with you has meant everything to me. You’ve given me more happiness than I have had in many years.Je?I can’t begin to express the depth of...what is the word,” he said, and pressed his forehead to her knees.“Ledan,”he said. “It means...it means perhaps hope. Yes, that’s it. Now I have hope that life is not closed to me. Now I have hope that I can feel things I thought were barred to me.”
“Oh, Marek,” she said sadly, and leaned over his head. “You gave meledan,too.”
