Page 241 of Ashen Torment
I break the bread calmly.
“I imagine so.”
“You do not seem particularly interested.”
I taste the soup. “Because I am not.”
The knife resumes its movement over the plate.
“My brother, indifferent to a beautiful woman... now that is a novelty.”
“What are you implying?”
He brings the glass to his lips, drinking slowly without breaking eye contact.
“That you have never been a man to let an opportunity slip by.”
“Are you comparing me to a brothel whore?”
He lowers his glass.
“Yes.”
I lift my eyes to him.
“Do not look at me like that. It is the truth.”
I return to my meal. “Mind you do not choke.”
He laughs. “But lately, my dear little brother seems occupied with something...”
He pauses to chew.
“Someone.”
He swallows.
“Do you truly intend to keep me in the dark?”
“Eat, Lucien.”
He points at me with his utensil.
“I shall find out regardless.”
I cut the roast and bring the morsel to my mouth.
Lucien does not relent. “Have you read The London Gazette?”
“No. I know a scandal has broken, but it does not particularly interest me.” I swallow. “You know well they print nonsense I have better things to do than waste time on such things.”
“This time, I should not say it was nonsense.”
“What do you mean?”
“They published an article on Elijah Lirael.” He makes a complacent grimace. “On his dissolute conduct, and all the moral trimmings you can imagine.”
I resume eating. “Interesting.”
