husband died in shame. Thanks to you, my children were banished from Aurelais and robbed of their birthright.”
“It could have been much worse,” replied Ferdinand smoothly. “Few get to spend their exile on an estate provided for by the king. And lo, now you’ve returned and most have forgotten the degree of your treachery. Even the king, it appears.”
She was struggling to keep her composure; Ferdinand noticed how taut her cheeks had become, how the pulse in her neck thickened and throbbed. She peeled off her glove one finger at a time, her voice flat and wooden when she spoke next. “If you are trying to blackmail me, Ferdinand, go ahead. I don’t care what anyone at court thinks of me. Least of all, my brother.”
“Not even your nephew? Your influence on young Charles is unacceptable. He doesn’t understand what a threat your beliefs are to the future of this nation.”
To her credit, she barely flinched. “You dare to imply that I don’t care about Aurelais? My family has ruled this country for centuries. My ancestors tilled and founded this nation with their blood and tears before yours first arrived.”
“I’m not the only one. You’ve been away from court for far too long, and yet now you frolic back to the palace and resume your position as the king’s sister? Why now, Genevieve?”
The duchess set her teacup on its saucer with a sharp clatter. “Why don’t you ask the little spy you’ve planted in my household?”
Ferdinand choked on his coffee. Promptly reaching for his handkerchief, he blew his nose, then faced Genevieve, his posture stiffening. “Just what do you mean?”
“Don’t try to be coy. I know my attendant is one of your spies.”
“That innocent-looking creature?” Ferdinand spluttered, pretending to be offended. “She looks like she’s barely spent a day out of the countryside. I wouldn’t bother.”
“Yes, that’s precisely why you picked her. But unfortunately for you, she’s sharp enough to see you for what you are—a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And she isn’t afraid of wolves.”
He raised a thick eyebrow. “Isn’t she now? Where is the young lady, anyway?”
“Cindergirl is at the library, fetching a new novel for me.”
“A book?”
“Yes, Ferdinand. Unlike you, I have hobbies other than scheming and conniving.”
“Yes, I quite remember. Yours are more in the line of deceit and treason.”
“Why, you!”
She’d stepped into his net, but he needed to proceed carefully if he was going to ensnare her. He clasped his hands together and rested them on his lap. In his smoothest, most all-knowing tone, he said, “After all these years, after publicly swearing you’d never return, there must be a reason you’ve come back.”
“I heard my nephew had come back from university. I wanted to see him.”
He didn’t believe her, not for an instant. King George’s sister was a skilled deceiver, and her denial was too quick.
“You and I both know that is untrue.” Ferdinand paused deliberately. “You forget it is I who have the king’s ear, and the council’s trust. I am aware His Majesty is planning to pass the throne to Charles. That’s why you’re here.”
The barest of flinches flickered across Genevieve’s face, but Ferdinand caught it. No matter how she denied it now, he had gleaned the truth.
She pressed her lips tight. “I am here to help Charles find a wife.”
“He needs to marry a princess,” said Ferdinand. “Preferably a princess of one of Aurelais’s neighboring kingdoms—such as Lourdes. King George has ruled for forty years. No matter what kind of sovereign Charles turns out to be, the transition between reigns will be difficult. We must strengthen our position by allying ourselves with Lourdes so that our enemies do not pounce on any perceived weakness.”
“Aurelais has been at peace for nearly half a century,” Genevieve said calmly. “What makes you think all of a sudden we have enemies that are eyeing our territories?”
“We have been at peace because my father was vigilant, and I have carried on his task of safeguarding this kingdom from the likes of men such as your husband, who would open our gates to evils such as magic and . . . and . . .”
“A more powerful middle class?” said Genevieve snidely. “You seem rather sore, Ferdinand. The people are gaining more power, with or without magic.”
“The riots will be contained. They are but a trifle compared to the chaos and instability magic would have brought. Fairies consider themselves above the law, what with their unnatural abilities and bringing aid to those they deem good and worthy.”
“Yes,