Page 43 of The Shadows Between Us
You, of course, know of my business travels—
I skip to the bottom to find the signature. It’s from Orrin. I didn’t even notice he was gone from the palace—
They’ve kept me from your side for far too long, but I think of you daily. I miss your conversation, your smile, the way you look away from me when you’re overcome by my generosity.
When I look at the night sky, I cease to see its beauty. All I can think of is you. Your sable hair and how I long to run my fingers through its lengths. Your lips, ripe as cherries—
The descriptions of my distinct body parts go on for five more paragraphs. I skip to the bottom.
Please write me and tell me you have missed me as much as I have missed you.
Your humble servant,
Orrin Galopas, Earl of Eliades
Dear gods. The man is completely delusional. I look up from the letter and startle to find the servant who delivered it still waiting just outside the doorway to my rooms.
“Begging your pardon, my lady, but my lord hoped you might send a reply back with me.”
I want to unleash my fury on Orrin’s servant. Instead, I clear my head enough to think reasonably. “How long will Lord Eliades be away from the palace?”
“I should expect another week at least, my lady.”
“Good.” I start to shut the door, and the servant coughs.
“Oh, there will be no reply for the earl.” And I slam the door the rest of the way.
This letter is an opportunity. A way to complete the rest of our plans.
ASHORT LINE EXTENDSdown the driveway, but Myron, Hestia, Rhoda, and I don’t wait long before we’re greeted by the duke and duchess.
After introductions are made, the duke lifts his eyes over my shoulder. “The king is not with you?”
“Kallias so wished to come,” I say, daring to use the king’s first name in front of the duke. I need to show intimacy between us since Kallias isn’t actually here. “Alas, he’s hard at work protecting our kingdom.”
“I’m here to escort Lady Stathos,” Myron says, stepping somewhat in front of me.
The duke’s eyes widen as he recognizes Myron from the play. Demetrio glances back at me. “You know this gentleman?”
I can tell from the tone of his voice what he means.You willingly associate with this man?
Myron is ruining me. One outing at a time. He elbows me in the ribs.
“Myron is a childhood friend.” The words physically pain me to say them. “He’s… quite charming.”
“Oh,” the duke says. “Well, do enjoy the ball.”
I can tell Myron wishes to stay and talk with the duke longer, but this time it is Rhoda who ushers us along inside.
I momentarily lose my ire once I catch sight of the ballroom. The duke and duchess refer to their young daughter as their shooting star, a reference, I’m told, to her prodigious talent at playing the pianoforte. The decorations have been done to match the endearment. Candles are placed within holders with holes cut in the shape of stars, the designs magnifying and showing on the ceiling and walls. Bundles of flowers in yellows and blues cover every surface in the grand estate, the flowers trailing in the shape of the fading light that appears behind a shooting star. And the young lady’s gown rivals my own with diamonds sewn into it every few inches. A long train follows her for ten feet everywhere she goes, making it hard to miss her in the crowd since the partygoers have to mind the chiffon sweeping the floor.
As soon as Hestia, Rhoda, and I take in the sights, my two friends are quickly whisked away by men to the dance floor.
“He’s quite charming?” Myron repeats when we are alone. “You were supposed to extol my virtues to the duke.”
“Showing up withmeto the ball is telling enough, Myron. You don’t want to overdo it. You’re going to ruin yourself by overselling yourself. True men of character don’t have to try this hard.”
“Careful, Alessandra. If you don’t sell me enough, I might just have to start extolling your virtues to the court. Or rather, your lack of them.” He laughs at his own joke.
