A Crown in Ash (The Ostler's Boy Book 3)

Chapter Thirty-One

It was close to midnight when the Duke emerged from the other side of the castle. His breath smelled of whiskey, but he wasn't stuporous, and his words were as clear as they had been on the deck.

"I beg your mercy for that," he said, appearing beside the orchestra. "How has your evening faired?"

I tried not to notice all the eyes on us. "Oh, it's been fair," I said. Suddenly, I was at a loss for words. "How is His Highness?" I asked, quieter.

"He's well," he noted. "He wished for me to extend his good night. Your father went with him upstairs."

"Oh."

Askar and I paused.

"I'm sorry you had to do that," I said.

"Think nothing of it," he returned. "It gave me a chance to inform him of my declaration."

"Oh?" I flashed a grin, then felt silly for it. "I don't know why I'm so unsteady."

"Shall I fetch you a glass of wine, or would you like to dance?" he asked.

"Already?" I cursed under my breath.

"We don't have to dance," he worried.

"No, I... I'm sorry, As– Your Grace," I said. "I'm just... It's odd being courted again is all."

"Then it is strange for us both," he decided. He offered me his hand. "Now. Where were we?"

Askar twirled me into a waltz. The Empire's Waltz.

"Were you entertained while I was gone?" he asked. He was stiff on its form, but I didn't correct him. "Which one of these men must I duel for your heart?"

I rolled my eyes. "Let's see," I started. "You could fight Lord Harringway." I gestured to him.

"The man with the muttonchops?" he whispered.

"Yes, and the gray hair," I explained.

"Do you fancy him?" he asked.

"No." I met his eyes; his glittered with a laugh. "He's a widower; his seven children are here somewhere."

"Seven is a lot," he stated. "How many do you wish to have?"

I stammered a bit. "I-I haven't given it much thought."

"No?" he asked. He added to it lower. "Not even with recent events?"

"Well, I?" I frowned. "I'm not sure. Not seven."

"I'll accept that answer," he said. We twirled another round. "I am an only child, as you know. Four cousins, but the most I've seen is a farmer near Blythe. He has nine."

"Definitely not nine," I declared.

"Then ten?" he asked.

"What?" I gripped his hand tighter.