moves in front of me, leading the way. I can’t see the head of the table with Gaeton’s broad back in the way, but I’m conscious of the attention of everyone else in the room on us. Then he steps aside and easily sinks to a knee. I follow suit.
Cordelia watches us over the rim of her wine glass. “So the prodigal sons return. Did you enjoy your month off?”
For once, Gaeton doesn’t have shit to say. It’s just as well. I don’t mind taking on this firing squad. I hold her gaze for a three-count and then drop my eyes. “Grief does strange things.”
Her breath catches the tiniest amount, silent to all but those at the head of the table. “Yes, I suppose it does.” She sets her glass on the table. “You’re back.”
It’s not quite a question, but I answer it all the same. “With your blessing.”
“That’s not all you’ve come to ask my blessing about, though, is it?”
At this, I look at her and then at Isabelle to my right. They want to do this publicly? I don’t know why I’m surprised. Cordelia will want to lock us in, no matter what needs to happen to ensure that result. I study Isabelle. “Is this what you want?”
She nods, slowly. She, for one, doesn’t look unsure in the least, just quietly watchful. “If you two are okay with it.”
“Of course we’re okay with it.” Gaeton gives his cocky grin, though it’s a little strained around the edges. The only sign that this situation is stressing him the fuck out. He turns to Cordelia. “We want your sister. Both of us.”
Her brows rise a fraction of an inch. “She’s not an animal to be bartered.”
Oh, so it’s going to be like this? I give her the look that statement deserves. “That didn’t stop you from sending her to retrieve us, no matter the cost.”
She narrows her eyes. “Something you were only too happy to take advantage of. Don’t think I’ll be forgetting that anytime soon.”
“Cordelia.” Isabelle shakes her head. “This is what I want. It’s what they want. It’s what you want. Stop fighting for my honor when it was my choice to begin with.”
Cordelia grimaces. “I still don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it. You just have to give your blessing.”
She turns that glare on her sister, and her expression instantly transforms to a sickly sweet smile that isn’t the least bit sincere. “If karma exists, it’s going to take the form of a herd of daughters from these two men that will give you a head full of gray hair.”
Isabelle gives a choked laugh. “I don’t know why you and Sienna are so obsessed with the idea of me having babies. You first, Cordie. You first.”
For a second, it looks like they might start tussling right here in the dining room. Muriel leans over and touches Cordelia’s shoulder and that is all it takes for her to get her game face back in place. She spares us a glance. “You have my blessing. Next time you decide to take a vacation, get permission first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Gaeton rises easily to his feet and gives me a hand up. I don’t need it, but I like that he offered. I like it even more than he doesn’t drop the contact immediately. We turn to Isabelle as a unit.
Before I can say a single goddamn thing, one of our men bursts into the room. He checks his stride so he’s not quite running, but there’s no hiding how frazzled he looks. He hurries around the table and murmurs in Muriel’s ear. She leans down to whisper to Cordelia, and the woman’s face goes still. “She’s early. Yes, let her in. Give us a few minutes and we’ll meet her in my office.” She stands and gives a bright smile to the table. “If you’ll excuse us for a few moments. Duty calls.” She lowers her voice. “Sienna, Isabelle, bring your men.”
Isabelle rises and moves to us. She gives a tight smile. “Thank you.”
“You have nothing to thank us for.” Gaeton slips his free arm around her shoulders and gives her a squeeze. “Let’s go see where the fire is.”
We end up in Cordelia’s study. It’s not the same one Orsino used, and something inside me relaxes at that. I know I’ll be faced with memories of him, again and again, but this is a welcome reprieve. Or it would be if I knew what we’re walking into.
Cordelia sits on