“I’m worried about Rook.”
“Well, we can’t have that. I’ll take you below stairs this instant.” He smiled.
“Is that really proper?” It wasn’t that I thought the downstairs an unseemly place, more that going anywhere privately with a young man could be bad for my reputation. I had to worry about reputations now. London was not Brimthorn.
“We might cause a scandal, a young lady and a gentleman going to the kitchen without an escort. We should shock them by baking something together.”
We slipped down to the servants’ dining area and found them almost through with their supper, the butler and housekeeper at each end of the table, the footmen and the housemaids and Lilly along the sides. They got to their feet as we entered, Lilly with a napkin before her mouth to disguise her chewing.
“At ease,” Magnus said. He looked about. “Where’s the new boy?”
“In the kitchen, sir,” the housekeeper said. She was an older woman with a lined and unsmiling face.
“What’s he doing there?” Magnus asked.
“Eating his supper, sir.”
“Why isn’t he eating with the rest of you?” I asked, looking from one face to the next. Lilly twisted her napkin.
“We thought it’d be more comfortable, miss,” the housekeeper said.
“Comfortable for whom?” I snapped.
The housekeeper gave a thin smile. “Comfortable for him, miss. Considering his infirmities, we didn’t want him to feel shame before us. His scars are most unappetizing, but of course he knows that. He shouldn’t be forced to put himself on display as if he were normal.” Her face was cold and blank. If she didn’t watch out, she’d wake up with her blankets on fire one night.
“Now, see here—”
“Thank you,” Magnus interrupted, placing a firm hand on my arm. “We’ll let you return to your supper.” He guided me off. Once out of earshot, I pulled away.
“I suppose you think it’s fine for them to treat Rook this way?” I whispered.
“Not in the least. I was trying to save him before you made his life even more difficult.” He frowned. “Draw attention to him down here, and they’ll torment him further.”
“They’re frightened sheep,” I said, though I knew he was right. At least at Brimthorn, Rook had been allowed to eat at the table with the other servants.
“Give them time. Most people aren’t accustomed to sharing living space with the Unclean.”
We went into the kitchen and found Rook standing by the window, looking out onto the stables. He was dressed as usual, with no visible scars. Unappetizing indeed. A bowl of stew lay by the fire, untouched.
When he saw me, his mouth fell open. “Nettie. You’re, well, quite lovely,” he said, looking me up and down. My face warmed at the compliment.
“Thank you,” I said. Magnus snorted. “Are you getting on all right?”
“Certainly better than Brimthorn, isn’t it?” He hadn’t answered the question. “What’s happened upstairs?”
“The Imperator agreed to my training. Master Agrippa wants to take me to the queen for commendation. Can you believe it?” My smile stretched wider with every word I spoke.
“You’ll be the greatest sorcerer of the age.” Rook didn’t sound nearly as excited as I’d hoped he would be.
“Oh, will she?” Magnus said, studying his fingernails. “Where does that leave me? Handsomest sorcerer of the age? I’m more than just a pretty face, you know.”
“I meant no offense, sir,” Rook said.
I didn’t like him calling Magnus “sir.” “Why don’t you stand by the door outside, Mr. Magnus? I’ll be finished soon,” I said firmly.
“Ah, I only meant to tease. If there’s one thing Miss Howel loves, it’s a bit of teasing.” He clapped Rook hard on the shoulder. “I’ve noticed that already, upon such a short acquaintance. But you knew that, surely? You being so close.” Rook gently but firmly took himself out of the other fellow’s grip.
“I’ve noticed much, sir,” he said. There was a coldness in his look that I hadn’t seen before.
“So have I. Well, I shall wait to escort you back upstairs, Miss Howel.” He left with a bow. What a tiresome young man.
Rook nodded toward the door after Magnus had gone. “He seems to like you.”
“Sadly, that feeling is not mutual.” I spoke a bit louder than necessary. Around the corner, I heard a laugh.
“It’s good to see you with others of your rank,” he said. Lord, not this again. “Don’t argue—you know it’s true. Magic sorts, Nettie. You belong in their world now.”
“You make it all sound so formal,” I said, letting my irritation show.
Before we could continue this discussion, Lilly appeared and cleared her throat in the doorway. She fidgeted with her apron.
“What is it?” I smiled.
“Rook, you must help. There’s trouble outside with Master Palehook’s carriage,” she said, sounding rather breathless. Rook nodded by way of thanks. Lilly made a strange sound and accidentally banged against the doorframe on the way out. Apparently Rook had an admirer. I shifted uncomfortably.
“I’m glad he’s going,” Rook said. “He asked the most peculiar questions.”
“Who? Master Palehook?” A chill walked down my spine.
“That thin one, yes. He was very interested in me.”
“What did he ask you?” I murmured, deep in thought.
“Where’d I come by my scars, did they hurt, did I ever feel urges to run away or do things I couldn’t control.” Rook frowned. “I don’t like him, Nettie.”
“I don’t like him, either.”
“Don’t let him near you more than necessary.”
“I can’t exactly order him about, can I?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You handled the young gentleman nicely,” he said, mimicking Magnus with an exaggerated bow. I laughed. Once Rook had gone, I turned the corner to find Magnus leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
“I am here to spirit you back upstairs. Don’t swoon,” he said.
“I’ll try not to.” I rolled my eyes and brushed past him. Emerging into the foyer, we found servants dimming the lamps. Everyone else had gone to bed.
“Well,” he said as we climbed the stairs, “congratulations. You’ve survived your first dinner with bloody Master Palehook. An Incumbent rite of passage. This calls for celebrations. I’d compose a sonnet on the occasion, but all I can think of that rhymes with Palehook is bailbook.”
“It can wait till morning,” I said. “Thank you for your help.”
I turned to walk down the hall but stopped when Magnus said, “By the by, I hope you won’t set me on fire for asking this.” He leaned against the banister. “But I have to know: How long has that boy been in love with you?”
All the air left my lungs. When I managed to speak again, I said, “Rook is not in love with me. He’s been my friend since we were children.”
“All right, all right.” Magnus tried to hush me.
“No.” I gripped the railing. Between Palehook’s veiled threats during dinner and Magnus’s behavior downstairs, I could no longer contain myself. “You shouldn’t make comments like that. And you shouldn’t tease him like you did in the kitchen.”
“Steady on,” Magnus said. He frowned.
“He’s a servant. He’s not allowed to answer back to you. It’s easy to poke fun at the world and think yourself clever, but it’s much harder to stand silent and endure.” With that, I turned for my room. Magnus stepped in front of me, blocking my exit.
“You’re right,” he said, bowing his head. “I behaved badly. The problem with being the adored only son of a widow is that everything I do is made out to be clever, even when it isn’t. Please accept my apology.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. “Well…you should apologize to Rook as well.”
He nodded. “I shall.”
I hadn’t expected to win the argument this easily. “Then thank you.”
“Of course. Actually, I like when women yell at me. It makes a nice change from all those adoring love letters.” He posed tragically. I laughed; I couldn’t help myself. “In all seriousness, I never meant to insult your friend. It’s wonderful, you two being thick as thieves.” He tilted his head. “You must have had an unusual upbringing.”