The Blood Spell (Ravenspire, #4)(31)
Grand-mère’s lip curled. “Your girls need the change of scenery you just said shouldn’t happen for Blue?”
Dinah’s gaze sharpened, though her voice remained soft. “Valeraine also signed a document stating that she’d become guardian of my daughters should they lose both their parents before coming of age. Maybe I haven’t stayed in touch with Blue over the years like I should have, but that doesn’t mean her mother’s wishes shouldn’t be honored. I’d love for you to continue to be an important part of Blue’s life, of course, but I must insist that the arguing stop immediately. We’ve all suffered a loss and arguing only makes it harder to cope.”
Grand-mère’s arm tightened against Blue’s, and she stared at Dinah until Nell said softly, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing any of us can do. The document is legal and binding. Lady Chauveau can do as she deems best.”
Blue held on to Grand-mère, her heart thundering in her chest, her throat aching. “I’ll move in to Grand-mère’s cottage, then. If your girls want to stay in the farmhouse, you can have it until I’m eighteen.”
Dinah turned her gaze toward Blue. “Nonsense, my dear. I’m sure we’re all going to become fast friends. I’m very curious to learn how to run your shop, and I’m sure we’ll find common ground as you teach me. Now say good-bye to your grandmother for now. It’s clear she needs some time to calm down. We can discuss arrangements for you to see her again sometime in the next week or so.”
The next week or so? The air left Blue’s lungs as if she’d been struck.
She’d lost Papa. And now she was losing her freedom, her privacy, and the person she needed most. Surely Dinah Chauveau couldn’t think that was best for Blue.
“But—”
Stone crept into Dinah’s voice. “Let’s not start out our time together with conflict, Blue. I’m accustomed to my children obeying me. If you can’t agree to stay peacefully with us in the farmhouse for the next little while, then I’ll be forced to take you with us to our home in the city. Is that what you want?”
Before Blue could reply, Grand-mère gathered her close in a fierce hug and whispered against her ear, “Don’t do anything that will make her take you away from here. It will be all right. We’ll figure out how to contest that document. You know where to find me if you need help.”
And then she was gone, and Blue was left standing in her sitting room facing the head of the Chauveau family, who inexplicably wanted to live in her house, run her shop, and control every aspect of Blue’s life.
THIRTEEN
“I BEG YOUR pardon?” Kellan blinked at the page who’d met him at the bottom of the castle’s steps just before he reached his carriage.
She bit her lip and dropped into yet another curtsy—her fourth in less than two minutes—and repeated, “My Lady Chauveau is temporarily staying at the de la Cour farmhouse just to the west of the city and asks that you meet her and her daughters there for your brunch date.”
When Kellan didn’t immediately respond, she dipped lower, wobbling precariously, and said in a shaky voice, “She said you’d know where it is, but I’m sure I can find someone to escort you if—”
“I know where it is.” Kellan motioned for the girl to rise before she fell. “What I don’t understand is why Lady Chauveau is there.”
“I—she—My Lady Chauveau doesn’t share her reasons with me.”
Kellan offered the girl a smile, and she blushed prettily. “I suppose I’ll have to ask her myself, then. Thank you for delivering the message.”
She bobbed another curtsy, and Kellan turned toward his carriage. “The de la Cour farmhouse, please,” he said as his coachmen held the door open for him.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kellan settled back against the plush cushions and sighed. Why was Lady Chauveau staying at Blue’s house? And how was he supposed to conduct a betrothal meeting—complete with delicate political negotiations and a healthy side of charm and flirting—under Blue’s scornful eye?
Not that she’d been scornful the last time he’d seen her. The numb corner of his heart that sheltered his own grief sent a shaft of pain through him at the memory of Blue’s wild sobs as he’d held her after Pierre’s funeral. Stars knew he didn’t usually get along with Blue, but no one deserved the kind of pain he knew she was in.
Maybe she wouldn’t even be present. Maybe she’d be hiding in her garden or seeking solace at Grand-mère’s. He could visit the Chauveaus, do his duty, and leave without disturbing her.
And if the thought of not checking in on her left him with a faint twinge of disappointment, it was only because he’d loved Pierre too, and grief was easier to bear when it was shared with those left behind.
The scenery flew by, and before Kellan knew it, they’d pulled to a stop before the little gate that led to the farmhouse. As he stepped out of the carriage, the faint clamor of iron bells ringing far to the west drifted through the air. Kellan froze and looked down the long road that cut through farmland and hills before reaching the large expanse of the wilds at the base of the mountains. His coachmen lunged for the horses as if they might bolt, and his guards drew their swords as they flanked the prince, all of them staring at the distant shadow of the mountains.