But they have reason to worry, she thought, grimly. Fulvia might well have gotten started that way too.
She looked down at her hands, studying the ring Void had given her. It sparkled under the light, magic glittering against her pale skin. Was it fair to ask Caleb to give up his family for her? She wouldn’t give up Lady Barb and Void for anyone, even Caleb! And she didn’t want to give Caleb up either. And…
“You married a mundane,” she said. She touched the snake-bracelet with her fingers, tracing out the scaly pattern. “Doesn’t that…”
Sienna’s face darkened. The magic level jumped, sharply. An insult ... she’d given Sienna an insult. For a moment, Emily was sure Sienna would throw a curse…or simply slap her ... before Emily could even formulate an apology.
“I would not have married him if I hadn’t felt he was a good person,” Sienna said. Her voice was icy cold. “And my grandfather would not have approved the match if he hadn’t felt that Pollack would bring something to the family.”
She met Emily’s eyes. “And someone less forgiving than I would have taken that as a challenge to a duel,” she added. “Dueling champion or not, I suggest you learn to watch your tongue.”
“I’m sorry,” Emily said, quickly.
“So you should be,” Sienna said. “I would have been thrashed to within an inch of my life if I’d said that at your age.”
She gave Emily a sharp glance. “Your father neglected a very important part of your education, young lady. Etiquette is what keeps us magicians from tearing ourselves apart.”
“My father was always more interested in magic,” Emily said. Sienna didn’t know – couldn’t know – the truth. Explaining that she’d come from an alternate world would have stirred up questions that she couldn’t begin to answer. “Much of my education came from the servants.”
Sienna sniffed in disapproval. “Servants are not good tutors for young magicians,” she said, shortly. “They are rarely versed in the background required to teach properly.”
She shrugged. “You’re here for a couple of weeks, before the three of you go back to Whitehall,” she said. “I suggest that you spend some time considering what I told you. If you and Caleb wish to proceed with the courtship, you may do so with your eyes wide open.”
“Thank you,” Emily said.
She sat back, feeling oddly drained. It wasn’t the worst conversation she’d ever had, but it was definitely the most embarrassing. And it was almost surreal. What sort of choice was she supposed to make? The idea of tying herself down, at twenty-one, was terrifying. And yet, she was part of this culture now, for better or worse. She promised herself, silently, that she would write to Lady Barb – and Void – asking for advice. Maybe she could ask Sergeant Miles too. He’d have a different perspective on everything.
And Sergeant Harkin too, if he’d survived, she thought. She felt a pang of guilt. The sergeant would have been very disappointed in her, if he’d realized her mistake. I wish I’d had a chance to thank him for everything.
Sienna rose. “I’ll take you to your room. Caleb and I will be having a long talk this afternoon, then I’ll be taking him to the temple. I suggest you catch up on your sleep. Karan will be downstairs if you need anything. Everyone else will be going out.
Emily glanced at her watch. It was early afternoon.
“I don’t know how long I’ll sleep,” she said. She felt tired, but going to sleep now would only make it harder for her to sleep in the evening. “Do we have the run of the house?”
“Stay out of the bedrooms and any room that’s warded closed,” Sienna said. She motioned for Emily to follow her. “There’s a small collection of books in the living room, including a couple that were passed down from my great-grandfather. You might like them. Or you can ask Karan for anything she might have.”
“I understand,” Emily said.
Sienna gave her an unreadable look. “I am aware this isn’t easy for you. Just bear in mind that it isn’t easy for anyone else either.”
“I know,” Emily said. “I am truly sorry Casper was killed.”
“So am I,” Sienna said. She looked older, just for a second. “I always knew there was a possibility that he’d die, but I didn’t want to believe it. None of us did. And now…his death has opened up a whole new can of worms. And we have to deal with them now.”
She shook her head. “Come with me.”
Emily rose and followed her through the doors and up a narrow flight of stairs. It was so narrow that Emily doubted a large man could get up the stairs without getting stuck. She thought of the servant corridors in King Randor’s castle, the tiny passageways intended to keep the servants hidden from their lords and masters. She’d used similar corridors to sneak around at Whitehall.
She glanced up at Sienna. “Do you have any servants?”
“I have a cook and a maid,” Sienna said, briskly. “They work regular hours and live outside the house. The maid is not there to help you with your hair. I’ve had to make that point clear to both the girls, regularly. It never seems to sink in.”
They reached the top of the stairs and walked down a short corridor. “This is your room,” Sienna said, as they reached an unmarked wooden door. She knocked smartly and waited. “You’re sharing with Frieda. Remember what I said – do not invite Caleb into the room.”
“I won’t,” Emily said.
“And don’t go into his room either,” Sienna added, sharply. The door swung open, revealing Frieda. “It’ll just get you both in hot water.”
“I understand,” Emily said. She couldn’t help feeling annoyed. She’d missed sharing a bed with Caleb. It was hard to believe, now, that she’d ever been reluctant to let him do more than kiss her. “Did my bag get sent up?”
“It’s here,” Frieda said.
“Have a good nap,” Sienna said. “I’ll see you at dinnertime.”
Chapter Five
“SO,” FRIEDA SAID, AS SHE CLOSED the door. “I’ve been told I have to set some ground rules.”
Emily scowled at her. “And who told you that?”