The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(80)



“I took your advice and had tea with Miss Collingwood and her lady friends this morning.”

Before she could explain further, Lord Varick tapped his cane on the floor and interrupted. “While I am happy to know your newfound pride has not dampened your intelligence, that is hardly newsworthy.”

“If you would let me finish—”

“Please, please, go on.” Lord Varick waved his hands as if telling her to hurry.

Perhaps Aya had been wrong. Maybe he was going for civility and piggishness today. “While we were having tea, I saw King Archon and Queen Zedara browsing the shops, and they saw me. As I was leaving tea, King Archon pulled me aside into an alleyway. I challenged him about his affections for his wife, and he asked me to meet him outside his chambers tomorrow night so he can explain to me everything that is happening.”

“Tomorrow night, eh? My, my, you have been a busy girl.”

“That was the intention, was it not?”

Lord Varick held up his palms. “No judgment. I am simply impressed at your vast improvements. Now, are you positive that King Archon is going to confess to plotting Queen Zedara’s death?”

Aya smirked. “Absolutely.”

“I hate to sound doubtful, Miss Aya, but I must ask again. If Queen Zedara and I arrange for people to hear this, and they do not hear anything, you will be tried as an adulteress and likely sentenced to death, and the queen and I will just as likely lose our own heads for treasonous activity.” Lord Varick leaned forward. “I must be sure. You are certain he will say what is necessary?”

“Positive.” Aya scooted to the edge of her seat. “Lord Varick, I hate to sound arrogant, but I am fairly certain I can make the king say anything I want at this point.”

Lord Varick raised his eyebrows and tapped his staff on the floor again. “You have become quite the cocky one. You’d best be careful. Not everyone appreciates your confidence and candor the way I do.”

Aya leaned back in the chair, running her fingernails up its upholstered arms. “Do you, Lord Varick? Appreciate my confidence and candor?”

“Let me just say, you are not the same girl you were when I came to you with this proposition.” Lord Varick squinted. “And even though this new you is much less easy to…to work with, I can respect the fact that you have used the opportunity I presented you to grow. I know how alluring power can be, especially when you start without much.”

Aya smiled. “Thank you. And while I think you were a rotten father and are likely still a horrid excuse for a person, I appreciate your ability to mix revenge and charity.”

Lord Varick chuckled. “You’re most welcome, Miss Aya. Now, is there anything else I need to know?”

“As a matter of fact, there is. Have you been to the staircase that leads up to the bow of the palace?”

“Many times, yes.”

“Have you ever noticed the portrait of Queen Hildegard? The one where she is steering the ship through the storm?”

“That monstrosity? I do not think I could forget it if I tried. Why?”

Aya straightened. “The king showed me that it is a door. It conceals a secret pathway, which leads directly to the round room outside King Archon’s chambers. The doorway on the other side is a bookshelf filled with fake books.”

“How very interesting.” Lord Varick raised his eyebrows. “I suppose you believe this would be the perfect place from which to witness your little show with the king?”

“I do.” Aya winked. “I thought it would be best for you to ‘stumble upon’ the passage with some friends and end up witnessing our exchange. Queen Zedara could come in from the regular entrance, as if she were merely on her way to visit her beloved husband.”

Lord Varick tapped his chin. “Good thinking. Well done, Miss Aya.”

Aya grinned. “Thank you.”

“Now, if that is all, I assume you will want to go home to your hovel for the evening.” Lord Varick tilted his head. “However, if you would like, I can have the maid make up your room when she returns. If you want to keep up appearances, that is.”

“No, thank you.” Aya waved her hand. “That will not be necessary.”

“Of course.”

Lord Varick stood, and Aya did the same. She followed him down the hallway, past the aforementioned room, and to the door. As she walked past the bedroom, Aya noticed that the door was ajar, and she saw the bed already made, as if she had never slept there or as if it waited for her. On top of the bed lay a white gown.

“The room I stayed in,” Aya began, “it was Isadona’s, wasn’t it?”

Varick nodded, and Aya wondered if it was the staff who loved Isadona enough to make her room a shrine or Lord Varick. Moreover, Aya wondered why Lord Varick would disturb the room to have her sleep there. She doubted it was the only spare room in Lord Varick’s estate. After all, she had only seen a tiny portion of his living quarters, and as a marquess, he was sure to have a large section of the palace to himself.

“Why didn’t you put me somewhere else? Surely you have other rooms?”

“Yes, I do.” Lord Varick shrugged. “But I wanted to remind myself.”

Aya’s brow furrowed. “Of what?”

Lord Varick sighed. “Of the way I treated my daughter. Of my failure in using her as a pawn and all the pain it brought me. Of the fact that you are the closest thing I have to her now.”

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