Page 92 of The Shadows Between Us
“You can do this,” I tell him. “But remember, timing is everything. The good news is your father and Melita are staying on the same floor. Still, you must wait until you have Orrin and me in your sights.”
Rhouben lets out a deep breath as he pockets his handkerchief. “All right. I’m ready.”
Rhouben leaves me to retrieve his father, the Viscount of Thoricus, and I put on my best smile before seeking out Orrin, a small bouquet of flowers in my hands. The last letter I received said he was turning in to his rooms for the evening.
Good thing I now know right where they are.
He answers after two knocks. The earl is still dressed, and his face falls upon seeing me.
“Lady Stathos, I don’t want to see you.” He starts to close the door in my face.
“Lord Eliades, please wait a moment, won’t you? I have something I need to say.”
He stops with the door cracked open only wide enough for his face to be visible. I take a deep breath. If this doesn’t work, I suppose I could always pull his bandit mask from my pocket andmakehim do what I need. But something tells me Orrin wouldn’t make a great actor.
“I admire your good deeds greatly,” I start, careful not to wince at the outright lie. “I’ve been thinking about my actions of late and how I hurt you. I wish to change. No one is a more devout follower of the gods, and I can think of no man more righteous than yourself. I hopedyou might be willing to help me change my character.” I try for a humble tone, but since I’ve no idea what that sounds like, I’m not so sure that I manage it.
I relax as Orrin smiles, though faintly. “This is most admirable of you, Alessandra. May I call you Alessandra?”
“Please do.”
“The gods are always willing to forgive. It is mortals like myself who need more time to heed their example.”
“It is I who am in need of an example,” I hurry to say. “Yours, in fact. Listen, I’ve always been at odds with Lady Xenakis.”
“Why? She’s so delightful.”
If one considers the sourness of a lemon delightful.
“I wish to do something nice for her,” I continue, ignoring his question. “I’ve just learned that she’s retired early and is ill. I thought I might take these to her.” I lift up the flowers. “But I am not so sure I have the courage to go alone. Not after how terrible I’ve been to her in the past. Will you accompany me?”
“You make it so impossible to say no to you.”
I beam. “Thank you!”
I put my arm in his before we take the stairs to the floor below.
“Tell me of your latest business trip,” I say as we head down the corridor for Melita’s rooms. Orrin doesn’t even notice Rhouben standing outside his father’s door as he tells me lies of selling crops and tending to his duties as landlord of various tenants. I nod politely and offer a few appropriate responses.
Rhouben immediately knocks on his father’s door as we round the corner out of sight. I hear the faint taps echoing behind us.
When Melita’s room is finally in sight, I pause with Orrin outside of it.
“Would you hold these for just a moment?”
Orrin takes the bouquet without question, ever the gentleman.
The corridor is far too quiet. Where is Rhouben? Perhaps his father is being difficult to coerce out of his room.
“Aren’t you going to knock?” Orrin asks as we just stand there.
“In just a moment.”
Awkward silence fills the space.
Orrin cocks his head. “What are we waiting for?”
Where the hell is Rhouben? We cannot go in without knowing he’s right behind us.
