When We Were Dancing (The Wolf of Oberhame Book 2)

by Auryn Hadley

  "Who got the money?" Leyli asked.

  Temotio sighed. "I did. Don't worry, Leyli, we'll make sure you can buy anything your heart desires."

  "Ok, and you all, too."

  "We brought our own," Gregori promised. "Plus a whole wagon to haul back our catch."

  It didn't take long to get into Matinglen. The Lyone farm wasn't that far outside the village, but the procession made a few people look. Brice was grinning as he learned to maneuver the team down the street. Astrid leaned between the drivers and pointed.

  "Park over there. We need to order some things to feed this army for the rest of the week." She patted her brother's arm. "They can load while I take Leyli to see the dress, and you can sit here and gloat about your new girls."

  Brice looked back. "Thought I might get Blanche and the baby to come back for dinner."

  Astrid squealed in delight. "Ok. Then we'll cook over the fire and make a celebration of it."

  The wagon pulled up in front of the dry goods store and Dario took the reins, showing the trick to parking it. They'd barely stopped when the guards started piling out of the back. Tristan jumped out first, but Temotio was right behind him. The ladies didn't have to ask for help down. There were enough hands vying for their attention. Leyli's feet were barely on solid dirt when Astrid grabbed her wrist.

  "You're buying." Then she pulled her into the store.

  Leyli looked around in awe. Things like flour and salt just appeared in the palace kitchens. She paid the invoices but had never been to a store like this. Even as a gladiator, she'd been treated like the upper end of society - closer to a merchant's daughter than a farmer. Temotio and Tristan followed them inside, their weapons making the woman behind the counter look up, but Astrid began reciting a list. The longer it got, the less the store owner cared about the swords.

  Temotio paid for it all, and the shopkeeper promised it would be loaded shortly. That was all Astrid needed. She grabbed Leyli and skipped out, heading someplace down the street. She didn't even wait for her brother to catch up, which made Leyli giggle.

  Looking in the windows as they passed, she tried to take it all in, but Astrid's excitement was contagious. Every noble sensibility she had was long gone, so Leyli allowed herself to act like a girl on vacation. They passed by a cart vendor selling flowers, and Leyli gasped, but Astrid kept moving.

  "There's a dress you have to see," she explained.

  That was all Leyli needed to hear. The girls scampered away, leaving Temotio jogging to keep up. Tristan didn't even try. Across the street, the sign said only "Cloth and Taylor", but just inside the door was the dress Astrid had been talking about.

  Made from pale yellow linen, almost every inch of it was covered in embroidery. Flowers and vines started at the base and grew higher, birds and insects making unique accents. The dress was long and full, the bodice was intricate and laced down the front. Leyli couldn't help herself. She grabbed the material, feeling the stitches, and made an appreciative noise.

  "It's perfect," she breathed.

  "I bet Delphine could alter it to your size," Astrid said.

  The woman in question laughed softly, walking toward them. "I could, but that's almost five years of work. It's a five thousand crown dress."

  Standing quietly out of the way, Temotio chuckled. "I think your price is low, ma'am. Leyli, ask Tristan what he thinks."

  She tossed smile at him. "Where'd he run off to?"

  "Your fiance?" Delphine asked. "They tend to get scared when it comes time to pay. Welcome to Matinglen, by the way. I'd be happy to help you find something more affordable."

  Leyli shook her head. "Astrid, find your brother?"

  Delphine sucked in a breath. "He's back?"

  "Yeah, and brought friends to visit." She managed to make it all the way to the door, then paused. "Leyli? I found him. You should see."

  Stepping beside her, Leyli looked through the glass. Tristan stood across the street, a cluster of flowers in his hand, face to face with a tall, auburn-haired woman with a boy on her hip. From the set of their bodies, the conversation was awkward. From the look on his face, it was important.

  "Celeste?"

  Astrid nodded. "Yeah. Leyli, she broke his heart."

  "I know."

  Temotio gently rubbed Leyli's shoulder blade. "Hold your jealousy in check, Wolf. Sometimes a man needs to set his old life behind him before he can move on." She looked back quickly and he smiled, leaning to her ear. "Inappropriate or not, your Secor doesn't hide his emotions as well as you do. All it takes is a few kitchen wenches before we all figured out that he's trying very hard to walk a narrow line."

  Leyli opened the door and walked out, forcing the man to follow. Astrid groaned, then turned to Delphine, swearing they'd be back, but Leyli ignored it. When Temotio grabbed her arm, she rounded on him.

  "And what exactly are my guards saying?" she demanded

  He chuckled and let go. "That we're loyal. All five of us, to both of you. Since your virtue has already been sullied, by your own admission, it only makes sense that eventually -" He gestured to Tristan. "- that will happen. When, or if, it does, you can be sure that none of us will see a thing." He grinned. "Well, except for the teasing in practice, since it's the only way we can get inside his guard."

  "Why?" she demanded.

  He shrugged. "It's hard to feel upset when someone you consider a friend is happy. Leyli, Armando's married. You scare the crap out of Edwyn. Horace is trying to woo a guardsman's daughter. Gregori has no interest in anything that resembles commitment. Me?" He laughed, sounding embarrassed. "I'll marry you, if it comes to that, but I'd rather he claims the marital rights. I'd prefer you don't ask my reasons."

  Face to face, she looked from one of his eyes to the other, trying to find the catch, but Temotio was honest. He reached out and gently rubbed her shoulder, then tilted his head, waiting for her to demand answers. Leyli could feel the trust he was offering and decided to accept it.

  "I can't marry him."

  He nodded. "I know, but for the rest of the week, there's no reason you can't pretend that court doesn't exist. Even if you were common born, you're twice the woman as that." He looked across the street. "You're also a lot more loyal. That boy beside her? He's nearly three years old, and there's no way Tristan sired a child with hair that black. She didn't even wait before jumping in someone else's bed. I think maybe you should remind him that he lost nothing, and gained a lot more."

  "Just walk over there?"

  He grinned. "You're the Princess of Norihame. You wade through politics every day. This is no different." He turned her toward the couple. "Go be a Wolf."

  Leyli lifted her chin and stepped into the street. The closer she got, the better she saw the woman, and the more confident she felt. Before she made it halfway, she was smiling. Temotio was right. She wouldn't make him feel bad, but there was nothing wrong with reminding him of what he had.

  His back was mostly to her, and his attention was locked on the woman before him, so Tristan didn't see her coming. Leyli grabbed his arm and ducked under it, pressing against his side. "Your sister just showed me the perfect wedding dress. I want your opinion, when you have time?"

  He looked down at her, then glanced back at the woman. "Here?"

  She nodded. "It's gorgeous, Tristan. Delphine can fit it, too."

  He grinned, then held up the flowers. "Well, I was going to surprise you, but saw an old friend. You have to share those with Astrid, though." When she took them, he nodded at the woman he was talking to. "And Leyli, this is Celeste, my old friend."

  Clutching the flowers to her chest, Leyli turned to her. "It's a pleasure. I've actually heard a lot about you."

  Celeste's eyes widened. "You have?"

  "Sometimes it's the thought of what we left at home that helps us survive the games."

  Tristan lifted a brow and looked down at her. "Sometimes it's a good partner. Where's Temotio?"

  She tilted her head toward the store. "I'
m pretty sure Astrid is going to make him carry bolts of cloth to the wagon." She grabbed his fingers and tugged lightly. "You going to be long? I can wait to try it on and shop for cloth instead."

  "You're planning a wedding?" Celeste asked.

  Tristan's eyes never left Leyli. "We are," he said proudly. "Maybe my family will even make it to Oberhame for the celebration."

  "Oh, they will," Leyli promised, smoothing her skirts. "I've finally found someone that knows how to lace a corset. I'm going to need her help."

  "You want to hire my sister?"

  "So many available men in Oberhame, Tristan, and then you can make sure they're proper. I was going to at least ask if she'd consider it."

  He chuckled. "Pretty sure I can't kill your brother, but Gregori? Oh yeah."

  "I think Astrid can hold her own." Leyli turned to the woman. "It was nice to meet you, Celeste. Beautiful little boy you have."

  The woman blanched. "I'm very proud of him."

  "What is he, three?"

  She swallowed. "Almost. Next month."

  Tristan's head snapped around to her. "You were pregnant when I left?" He looked at the boy. "Celeste?"

  "He's not yours," Leyli told him. "Trust me. Not with hair that black. How do you think bastards are noticed?" She reached up and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to buy a dress. Take your time."

  She turned, but he caught her arm, pulling her back. "Ley, I wasn't doubting."

  "Yeah, Tristan, you were, but it's ok." She tilted her head pointedly. "It's called closure, and we all need it. Not knowing is harder than hating the answer. I just wanted to assess the competition."

  He smiled and nodded. "Go try on the dress, pup, I'll catch up."

  "Be good, Secor."

  "Always, Highness," he replied, then paused. His shoulders dropped.

  Leyli just laughed, skipping back to the shop. Habits were a hard thing to break, and she'd just gotten the revenge she needed as a woman while granting him the bragging rights a man's pride enjoyed. When she stepped into the dress shop, both Astrid and Temotio jerked away from the window, grinning from ear to ear.

  "I told Astrid you two would make a very cute couple," Temotio said deviously. "She said you do."

  Leyli closed her eyes and sighed. "He bought us flowers, Astrid."

  The girl grabbed the bouquet, pulled out one, then passed the rest back. "There, we shared. Oh, and I am horrible about secrets. Figure Temotio can break it to the rest that you're sleeping with my brother."

  "We already knew that," he said.

  Astrid grinned deviously. "The kind with creaking beds?"

  Her guard chuckled. "Yeah. Inns have very thin walls."

  Leyli dragged her hand over her face. "Delphine? Can I try on this dress?"

  Chapter 26

  Leyli and Astrid were in the dressing room when Tristan finally came in. The girls could hear him talking to Temotio. Tristan's deep rumble sounded dejected; Temotio's baritone, amused. They shared a look, then hurried. Astrid somehow managed to lace Leyli into the ornate dress, adjust her hair, and make the entire outfit look like it had been made for her, except for a couple areas where the dress sagged.

  With a girlish giggle, she opened the door and stepped back for the Princess to show her entourage. Leyli walked into the main room of the shop and three people sucked in awed breaths. Tristan stepped toward her.

  "It needs a lot more buttons, clasps, laces, and maybe a few locks, but you look beautiful, Ley." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and dropped his voice so the others couldn't hear. "I wish you were hiding it from me, instead of showing me."

  She nodded slightly, looking up at him. "Me, too."

  "Can I have a moment alone with you later?" he whispered.

  "Always."

  "Good, then get the measurements to fit that, and let's plan a good country celebration. I get to meet my sister-in-law and nephew soon. If it's warm enough, I might even take you to the pond tonight."

  "Alone?" She looked up through her lashes.

  He shrugged. "Maybe we'll sneak out like farm kids."

  "It's a date." She raised her voice. "Delphine? I think a few changes will make it perfect."

  "My lady," the woman said, "are you sure you want to spend so much on a dress?"

  Tristan couldn't help himself. "I think when the Princess of Norihame finds the perfect dress for her wedding, the cost is inconsequential. I also think she's going to set a new style in court."

  That changed Delphine's attitude. Before, she had been a proud artist, thrilled to show her work. Now, she realized that her best work would not only be appreciated, but also shown off in ways she could only dream of. The three women spent nearly an hour pinning, adjusting, and discussing changes to make the dress fit perfectly while the two men leaned against a wall muttering softly.

  Before they left, Leyli added a few bolts of soft cloth to the order, some pieces of more ornate fabric for trim and details, and a selection of needles and thread. Tristan watched her with a wistful look on his face. Each day, things between them were changing and growing. Unfortunately, neither of them could forget that her wedding would be to another man, and there was nothing they could do to change it.

  When the wagon was finally loaded, the group headed back with two more in their party. Brice had an apartment in town and had convinced Blanche to bring their son back to the farm. Leyli and Astrid fawned over the little boy. The guards made plans for entertainment. Dario just made sure that Brice kept the team on the road.

  They returned to Lucien and Estelle trying to move sheep from one pen to another. Leyli didn't even need to ask, the guards just jumped out to assist. With Tristan directing them, it left Dario and Brice to help the ladies down. Leyli took the chance to steal the child.

  "I heard there's a family birthmark," she said, looking at the boy's arm.

  Brice pulled up his sleeve. "Tristan didn't show you?"

  The little boy, Frederic, had one that matched. She let her thumb drift over the boy's skin. "He doesn't have it anymore. Just a scar."

  Astrid showed hers. "Dad had it. Looks just like the bruise from a thumb, and most people don't notice, but he always said he'd know if Mama wasn't faithful..." She paused. "Oh."

  "Oh?" Blanche asked, confused.

  Brice and Astrid shared a look, then Astrid grinned. "I wonder if Tristan will make the boys help with slaughter."

  "They aren't real nobles," Leyli told her. "I mean, two are technically, but my guards all grew up outside of court. They know all about slaughtering sheep."

  "What about Dario?"

  Leyli sighed. "Legally, his father is the Master of Horse. His mother was the Queen's maid, until she retired to get married. Dario was born eight months later. The midwife said Alain's children had a habit of coming early, probably because of their father's reputation for impatience." Leyli passed the boy back. "Sounds like all of them were sired by my father, though."

  Blanche made a disgusted noise. "What man would tolerate that?"

  "More than you know," Leyli assured her. "Nobles aren't allowed to marry for love or companionship. We marry for property and money. I just bought a dress and still don't know who will be giving me a ring."

  "I'll help," Astrid said.

  Leyli bit her lip and turned to face her new friend. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that. I need a maid. I need someone that can get me ready for all of these functions without trying to make me look like a child or a harlot. There's never been a female heir before, and everything I do is outside of what the ladies in court understand."

  Astrid's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. "You want me to go back to Oberhame with you?"

  Leyli nodded slowly. "I do. Tristan's responsible for much of it, and I can actually manage to get dressed on my own, most days, but it's expected in court. Typically, a lady's maid is a near constant companion, and I'm unable to tolerate the brainless creatures available for the position."

  Blanche was grinning. "With the
horses, Astrid, you should go! Brice can keep up with the farm now, and your potential suitors will be that much better."

  A hand settled on Leyli's shoulder as Dario butted into the conversation. "I'd like to think so. Leyli, I can bring her back with me, if she's willing."

  "You will not!" Tristan called, walking over. "My sister can ride back in the carriage with us, and you can formally ask her brother for permission to court her before you spend five days traveling alone."

  Leyli looked at her brother, who was pointedly staring at the ground, his face only slightly darker than normal. "I thought it might give her more time to pack."

  "You," Tristan growled, "thought it might give you more time alone. Not all of the Lyone family are adulterous bastards."

  Dario's head snapped up. "Nor Ilario's children. I understand my sister's position completely, but mine is very different. Unlike the Princess, my marriage will seal no state alliances. I also know what it's like to be a bastard."

  Blanche sucked in a breath. "Brice?" she whispered.

  Tristan touched her arm. "Welcome to court politics," he said gently. "The King hopes that your son's cousin will one day inherit the throne. Sadly, the Princess of Norihame must marry an acceptable nobleman. I'm sure Brice will share the nuances with you." Then he gestured to the pen of sheep. "And Mama wants to know how many of those you're selling, and which you're keeping for breeding stock."

  Astrid took Blanche's arm. "Let's go inside and sit. There's enough hands to handle slaughtering." She looked back at Leyli. "I need to talk to Mama."

  "I know," Leyli assured her.

  "It's possible the Princess will need a nurse for the royal children." She smiled at Leyli. "Unless you already have one?"

  "Your mom?"

  Tristan nodded. "I think Ilario would approve, don't you?"

  "That's perfect!"

  Dario cleared his throat, but was smiling. "One less person to wonder why they all seem to look so much like the Lion?"

  "Look," she said, turning to him.

  He lifted his hand. "Leyli, I'm not being mean, I'm just giving you something else to think about. It's why Alain's marriage worked. Physically, he's close enough to the King that no one could complain."