Page 135 of The Favourite

She glared at him. “I am not going into the country, so do not ask me to.”

“Why not?” Her downright refusal astonished and outraged him.

“All my friends are here.”

“What friends?” he jeered before he could stop himself.

“Oh, you know … Osanna, Patience …” She lifted her hand and pointed a finger at his chest. “You.”

Gods. He had to breathe heavily a moment before he could make a reply. “Stop trying to manipulate me, madam,” he said thickly. “I know what I am doing, and I will not stir from this tower before the month is out.”

Jane lowered her eyes to hide the hurt they revealed. She tried to sit up. Instinctively, his arms closed tight about her. The temptation to just wrap himself around her and never let go had never been so strong. “I am not leaving you here alone,” she said, possibly encouraged by his traitorous embrace.

“Not even when I am the one urging it?” he asked through gritted teeth.

She shook her head. “Besides,” she added, “I could not possibly leave Robert.”

“You would take him with you, of course.”

“If you imagine he would journey to some unknown spot in rural Karadok, leaving you in the capital, your understanding of his character is a poor one.” When he said nothing, she met his eyes. “He loves you.”

“Do you imagine you are telling me something I do not know?” he asked irritably.

“Yet, you have not even asked how he fares.” Her tone was vaguely accusatory.

“That is because I entrusted him to your care.”

“Or about the children.”

“The same applies to them.”

She seemed to be struggling for a moment with her response. “It is lucky that I have had able support at this time. Ayleth has been wonderful.” She hesitated and said quietly, “I do not ever want to find her at the foot of any stairs, Alisander.”

He was so startled by this, that he released her and permitted her to sit up. She must have heard about her uncle, he supposed. They sat on the bed side by side; he did not know for how long. He stole a look at her and finally cleared his throat. “Understood,” he said and scratched the back of his neck.

“I have written to Beth,” Jane said, standing up and retrieving her cloak. “And told her of Sir Phillip’s accident. I gave her assurances that her position with us is safe.”

Alisander ignored this, coming to her side and wrapping her cloak securely around her, fastening it tight. “Now put on your hat.” She did so, and he gazed at her for a long moment. “That hat needs adornment,” he said, unable to help himself. “Possibly a plume.” Jane rolled her eyes. “I want you to consider what I said,” he reiterated, “about Kinnerton.”

She took her leave of him in stony silence.

*

Jane did not leave Aphrany. Oswald told him so the next afternoon with great relish. “In fact, her circle of friends is starting to treat your rooms as quite their own,” he said drifting over to the window. “Give it another week, and I dare say the Queen will be among their number, sitting on your seats, eating cheese, and talking political intrigue.”

“This is your fault,” Alisander said sourly. “Why did you have to tell her I was here of my own volition?”

“I told you I would fold with time,” Vawdrey answered serenely. “The pressure was quite intolerable.”

Alisander tensed his jaw. “What news from Lascony?” he asked.

“Your friend Lemarchier received a rather stinging missive from my equivalent in Wilhelm’s court. It seems they now believe he has been unduly critical of you, painting you in a needlessly negative light. He is being threatened with the possibility of recall.” When Alisander said nothing, Oswald turned around. “Do you think that will alarm him?”

“He hates it here,” Alisander answered abruptly. “They are merely threatening him with his heart’s desire.”

“Well, mayhap, you will receive a new and more agreeable liaison in the not-too-distant future,” Oswald suggested. Alisander shrugged and Oswald’s eyebrows rose. “Even this does not please you, I find.”

“Sometimes it is better the devil you know,” Alisander grumbled. “At least I am familiar with Lemarchier’s methods.”