Page 201 of Harbinger

Bishop doesn’t move. He just stares back at Broderic until my brother shrinks toward the doorframe. “I’ve arranged for her to stay at the outpost,” Bishop says. “For her safety.”

That was his request. I’d only asked Bishop to keep a careful distance, not wanting to distract from Kieren’s Evensong.

And now there isn’t going to be one.

But Broderic looks between the two of us. “I see.”

“Is that a problem?” Bishop asks.

“Arden made it clear months ago that this is no longer her home.” My brother doesn’t sound as certain as he did a minute before.

“Why don’t the two of us discuss this inside your study?” He doesn’t wait, striding down the hallway like he knows exactly where it is. Of course he would, after meeting Broderic here to arrange the reopening of the Cinderwald outpost.

Broderic hesitates before following his lead. I consider joining them, uncertain leaving the two alone is a good idea.

The door to the study closes before I can make up my mind.

Resisting the temptation to eavesdrop proves nearly impossible, so I make my way back to the sitting room. My siblings are there with Laurel, all quiet enough that I know they heard our fight.

I take a seat next to Isidore, sneaking a glance to see that she’s fighting a smile.

“Will you be staying long?” Laurel clasps her hands, sitting like she has a rod in place of her spine.

I was considering it until now. Bishop said we could stay as long as we want. “We’re only here for Kieren. We won’t be in Damalis long.”

“Dinner tomorrow, then.” Before I can protest, she’s on her feet. “I’ll tell the cook.”

She glides out of the room, and I turn to Isidore and mouth, Cook?

“And a maid, housekeeper, and footman,” she whispers.

“Broderic is okay with all these people in the house?”

She shrugs, opening her mouth, but before she can tell me what’s going on, the study door creaks open. Bishop strides into the room. “Shall we?”

“You just got here,” Isidore says, grabbing my hand.

But Bishop clears his throat. “I have business to attend. I’m afraid we must go.”

I squeeze her hand. “I will see you at dinner tomorrow.”

Bishop’s eyebrows creep up a little, but he doesn’t correct me. No matter what was said in the study, I won’t miss my chance to see my siblings. The ones who want to see me, that is. Broderic appears as I stand to leave. His face is pale as he enters the room. Bishop doesn’t bother looking at him. He just walks straight out the front door without another word.

“Laurel tells me that you’ll be joining us for dinner tomorrow,” he says stiffly.

I swallow. “If that’s not a problem.”

“No.” He grits his teeth. “You’re always welcome here.”

His change of heart is about as believable as his fiancée’s simpering.

But I nod. “Tomorrow.”

He follows me to the door like he’s going to see me outside. He pauses on the threshold, eyes lifting to check that Bishop is a safe distance away. “I thought you were smarter than this.” He tugs at his vest, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you would get involved with a man like that.”

Of all the things he could judge me for … I flick one of the gold buttons on his vest. “I could say the same. That must have been some dowry they gave you for your soul.”

“Someone had to stay.” He turns away, but not before I spot the hatred hiding in his eyes.