Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets) (28 page)

Entering a long narrow room along the back of the hallway on the third floor, I took a moment to admire the long rows of portraits in expensively gilded frames lining the walls.

“This is where I come when I feel the need for a stern reproof,” Rob commented.

“Which is not very often.” I smiled, releasing his arm to more closely examine a portrait of some North ancestor clothed in armor with the Goran royal crest emblazoned on his shield and breastplate.

“Of course not. Levity is one thing us Norths require.”

Content to let me wander, Rob crossed to one of the floor to ceiling windows along the back of the room. I slowly went portrait by portrait, assessing which features Colton had from his forefathers. One painting in particular startled me. It was of a young King Richard, who had been painted with a few shadowy guards in the background. Around the neck of one of the men hung a Tallon pendant.

“Rob? Can you come here, please?” Unfortunately, the man’s face was entirely in shadow.

“Yes?”

“Who is this man?” My finger hovered above the surface of the oil painting.

Rob took a moment to consider the painting. Then he shrugged. “I do not know. I can ask my father, if you like.”

“No!” The harshness of my answer startled him. I tempered my tone. “No, but thank you. I do not wish to trouble your father over such a trivial detail.”

He wasn’t entirely convinced, but being so newly acquainted, he must have decided not to cause any ripples between us. “As you wish.”

Next to King Richard’s portrait was a family portrait from when Colton and Rob were still quite young. So young, in fact, I hardly recognized Colton. Though the hair and eyes were the same, his structured jaw and high cheekbones had not fully emerged from his round, boyish face.

Not allowing myself to linger on that, or either of the two portraits beside it (of an older Colton and Rob, separately), I walked to the end of the gallery. “Where to next?”

“Oh, the silver drawing room, the music room, and other suitably boring places.” Rob slowly sauntered to my side.

“How about the dungeon?” If it was possible Colton lied and my father was alive, he’d be in the dungeon. No, I scolded myself. He wouldn’t lie about something like that.

Would he?

“Whatever has Sorin been telling you about us? We have not used the dungeon in simply ages.”

“Ten years,” I guessed.

“Fifteen.” Rob laughed. “But I have been forbidden to show anyone the dungeons. Parts of it caved in last year.”

“That’s too bad.” I frowned. There went my theory of my father secretly being held there. “How about the library, then?”

“You mean libraries? We have seven.”

“We’d better get started. I want to see them all.”

So we passed an enjoyable afternoon in a tour of the palace. I saw all seven libraries, including the one Colton kissed me in, three music rooms, twelve drawing rooms, three receiving rooms, two ball rooms and the other miscellaneous rooms that made up a palace.

Nearing the end of the tour, our lighthearted conversation took a serious turn.

Turning to face me, I noticed laughter lighting his blue eyes when he asked, “So, you and my brother?”

“Of course not.”
I frowned. “Why would you even ask that?”

“It’s obvious there’s something between you.”
Rob scrutinized my carefully blank face. “Are you in love with him?”

I couldn‘t be sure why Rob asked the question, but he deserved an honest answer. “I am not in a position to feel anything beyond admiration and gratitude for your brother.”

Rob took a moment to sift through what I wasn’t saying. “Fair enough. And if I were to tell you he is in—”

“Don’t!” I made a chopping motion with my hand. “Do not make any declaration he is unwilling to make
himself.”

A flash of appreciation appeared in Rob’s deep-set blue eyes. “You nearly match him in stubbornness.”

“I don’t want to match him in anything.”

“Liar. There are quite a few things you wish to match him in, the least of
which is matching his mouth to—“

“Robert!”

“Do you know you sound just like my mother when she is annoyed with me?” Retreating back into playfulness, we continued down the hallway to my room, where I was immediately set upon for final fittings.

That had been nearly four hours ago. How I wished I was again wandering the palace with Rob. Cassie decided it was time to make my public debut, and cajoled the tailors into preparing a beautiful satin ball gown in a shade of green for this evening. So here I was.

It was overwhelming to suddenly be thrown into a ballroom packed full of beautiful women and well-dressed men. Everyone seemed to know everyone else; the queen and Rob were hailed by many as we started across the room. I must have been introduced to at least forty people, but I forgot all their names within a few minutes of our meeting. I concentrated on staying glued to Cassie’s side, and limited my replies to smiles and nods, with a “yes” thrown in every now and then.

Distractions abounded, mostly in the form of an especially handsome man or an eye-catching gown in the corner of my eye. I felt inconsequential in this room apparently filled with people of consequence. Though I hated myself for it, I kept an eye peeled for a glimpse of Colton, as if he might magically appear. Catching me watching a tall blonde gentleman much of Colton’s height, Rob smiled and leaned to whisper against my ear.

“He’s not here. He won’t be back for days yet.” Rob’s grin stretched across his face. My hand rested along his elbow, and I stood closer than was strictly polite. I couldn’t help it! I was desperate for a friendly face, and so far, Rob was the only one smiling. Already, I was catching many interested and yes, malicious gazes directed my way. A man as handsome as Rob was a magnet for feminine attention.

“The longer, the better.” I put on my haughtiest expression and may have scared off a gentleman coming at that moment for an introduction.

“Do you realize your eyes crinkle at the corner when you lie?”

I lifted a hand to my eye. “They do not.”

“Of course not, but now I know for certain you lied.”

“I begin to dislike you.” My attention returned to the dancers. I had always been an accomplished dancer, but after Rob’s comment, I wasn’t certain I wanted to dance with him.

Rob followed my gaze. “But you will dance with me anyway.”

“I suppose I could be persuaded.” We joined the already gathered couples on the floor. Thankfully, it was the Handel, where couples remained together the majority of the dance. I wouldn’t be passed off like a side of beef from man to man. I never understood why most dances were designed to keep the initial couple apart. I’d agreed to dance with Rob, not every other man on the floor.

Taking my hand in his, his other hand lightly clasping above the curve of my right hip, Rob swept me into the opening right hand turn of the dance. I experienced a moment of panic that I would somehow forget the steps of the dance and embarrass the queen and Rob, but the steady pressure of Rob’s lead made my dancing flawless.

“See that man over there? The one in the green jacket?” Rob indicated with our joined hands as we glided to the left and then to the right. “Wickham’s his name. Dreadful bore. Stay away from him unless you wish to fall asleep where you stand.”

“Why is he so boring?” I was curious. Wickham seemed nice enough, surrounded by a group of wide-awake people.

“He is obsessed with the health and behavior of horses.” Rob didn’t dwell on that. He was busy pointing out another gentleman. “Now look to your left. That’s Lord Corbin. He’s extremely intelligent and has better manners around the ladies. After this dance, I’ll introduce you. He’s one of Sorin’s friends.” Rob spoke of a tallish brown haired gentleman whose profile was quite handsome over by the refreshment table. He was well built and finely turned out in a tight fitting black evening coat and black trousers. If his hair was a little too long, it only added to his slightly dangerous aura.

“Trying to marry me off?” I continued to watch Lord Corbin. I wondered how long he’d known Colton, and if he knew anything about my father and a lost twin.

“Hardly. My brother has a nice right.” A grin tipped his mouth upwards.

I rolled my eyes. “I am not your brother’s.”

“Try telling him that,” Rob smirked, earning him a glare.

“I have.”

“What did he say?”

“He ignored me.”

Rob hooted with laughter. “Of course he did. He always ignores anything he doesn’t wish to hear.”

“Which is pretty much everything I say.” Absently, I smoothed the fabric over Rob’s shoulder, noting the firm muscles beneath.

“Sorin loves a challenge and by disagreeing with him, you only increase his interest” At my frown, he explained, “My advice? Take up sewing and say yes to everything he says.” He gave me an appraising look. “That is, only if you do not want his attention. If you do, keep arguing. I think a spring wedding would be lovely.”

The music ended on that note, leaving me with my mouth slightly agape. I was unable to remonstrate with Rob because he steered me off the dance floor in the direction of Lord Corbin. I didn’t really want to meet him, but it would increase the number of people I knew in the ballroom from two to three.

“Your evening is about to get brighter, Paul. May I have the honor of presenting Miss Cadrian Summerlynn to you? Cadrian, this is Lord Paul Corbin.” Rob shook Lord Corbin’s hand warmly before drawing me forward.

“Pleased to meet you,” I said, dropping into a curtsey.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Lord Corbin replied, lifting my hand to his lips. I could get used to all this hand kissing.

“Miss Summerlynn is staying with my family for the next couple weeks, though Sorin’s hoping to convince her of something more permanent.” Rob grinned wickedly at me. In his brother’s absence, Rob obviously felt the need to declare me off limits.

Lord Corbin turned to me, interest apparent. I resisted the urge to sock Rob in the shoulder for his comment but consoled myself knowing there would be plenty of opportunities to hit him in private.

“Things have been taken out of context,” I said, looking down. Hopefully Lord Corbin would assume I was shy and not fighting the urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Arrogant controlling men evidently ran in the North bloodlines.

“I look forward to hearing about it.” Lord Corbin’s eyes were a warm chocolate color. They were assessing, not malicious.

“I am needed elsewhere. It was nice seeing you, Paul.” Rob kissed my cheek, muttering, “Behave yourself!” before walking away.

“I am not much of a dancer, Miss Summerlynn. Would you care to promenade with me?” Lord Corbin actually waited for my agreement before starting off around the perimeter of the ballroom.

We passed a few moments in meaningless small talk. I asked after his day, he asked if I was enjoying the cooling weather of fall. When a sufficient amount of time passed, I asked, “How long have you known Prince Sorin?”

“Since boarding school. I was the first boy unafraid of his title enough to bloody his lip when he was being difficult. We’ve been friends ever since.” The brown eyes crinkled at the corner as he remembered. “We got into some scrapes.”

I had a hard time picturing Colton as anything other than the somewhat unreadable, carefully controlled man he presented to me. “Such as?”

“You will have plenty of time to draw Sorin’s secrets from him.” He considered. “I wonder how many of them you already possess.”

“Not nearly enough,” I said, before I could stop myself. I watched Lord Corbin’s eyes darken with knowledge. Why not just post a sign around my neck reading
I am in love with Prince Sorin
and save everyone the trouble?

“May I be candid?” At my nod, he continued, “Sorin is not a man easily known, Miss Summerlynn. Only time will reveal what you wish to know.”

“Which is?”

“How he feels about you.” A gentle grin caused my cheeks to warm.

“The more important question is how I feel about him,” I returned. For all his kindness, Corbin was a stranger, and a friend of Colton’s. If I were to admit to any kind of feeling, he would find out.

Corbin gave me a faintly chiding look. “I picked you for an intelligent woman, Miss Summerlynn. Do not ruin my opinion of you.”

“After the week I’ve had, opinions are the least of my worries.” Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a rather attractive young man. My eyes lingered over the man’s broad shoulders.

“Evening, Corbin. Dare I hope for an introduction to this beautiful woman beside you?” Though I felt the flattery was over the top, I didn’t mind hearing it.

“Of course. Miss Summerlynn, may I present Lord Tanner Maybrook? Maybrook, this is Miss Cadrian Summerlynn.”

My hand was lifted to Maybrook’s lips. “Good evening, Miss Summerlynn. It is my hope to coax you away for a dance.”

“I would be delighted. Thank you, Lord Corbin, for the conversation.” I smiled brightly, following Lord Maybrook’s lead onto the floor.

The following hours passed in a blur. I had a succession of dance partners and soon lost track of their names. Colton probably hadn’t had this in mind when he told me to accompany his mother, but surely he didn’t expect me to be a social outcast, either. I was glad for the distraction of handsome men, loud music, and conversation.