We followed the guard down the dark road, with only the light from the lanterns to light our way. This time, I didn’t link my arm in Theo’s.
Maybe it was a good thing the Unclanned had shown up.
Teasing Lord Theo was only fun when he was the one caught off guard. Now, I felt uncomfortably conscious of our proximity. The fact that he hadn’t insisted on taking my arm again made me think he felt the same way, which was a small comfort.
The guards stopped in front of a small house a few streets over from the bakery, opening the front door for us. We walked inside to find Iiro and Inessa already comfortable on the small sofa.
The house itself was very ordinary. There was one quaint room and a bed in a loft just above the kitchen area. A fire roared in the hearth, and Inessa sat next to her husband, quietly stitching a swath of the new fabric into another embroidered hat.
“Do you keep residences within all of the villages in your territory?” I asked.
Inessa glanced at me before turning to Iiro in a silent question. He pursed his lips and furrowed his brows in an answer that I didn’t understand, and she turned back to her sewing.
“No.” His tone was clipped. “Our only residence is the estate.”
My expression softened.
“So you support the villagers by paying for use of their houses. We do the same.”
In Lochlann, on odd occasions when we were in some of the outlying villages and needed to wait out a storm, we would either stay with a local family or they would offer to stay with a neighbor, but either way, they were paid handsomely.
It helped support the village financially, but also ensured that we were never too disconnected from our citizens to understand their needs.
Considering that Da’ had spent a good portion of his childhood living in one of those small villages, it made sense that it was so important to him. I just wouldn’t have expected it from Iiro, and I wondered if I had misjudged him.
Theo cleared his throat next to me, the awkward sound of covering up a faux pas. Iiro blinked irritably, then looked pointedly back at his brother.
“It is an honor for the people to host their duke,” Theo explained, his tone a little too patient. “They offer their residences freely.”
I swallowed back my response. I hadn’t misjudged him after all. He was exactly as high-handed and pompous as he appeared to be.
“You and Theo will stay next door,” Iiro said, refusing to comment further on the other subject. “The guards will show you the way.” He waved a hand dismissively.
What?
“Only Lord Theo and me?” I stared in disbelief. Such a thing was not appropriate, even in a more lax Lochlann.
And then, of course, there was whatever had happened on the road — the lightning between us when he tucked my hair behind my ear.
Of course. This won’t be awkward at all.
Theo stiffened beside me, glaring at his brother, but said nothing to argue the subject.
“The two of you will find it quite accommodating.” Iiro said, and I didn’t miss the way the corner of his mouth twitched as he turned to face me. “Honestly, Princess Rowan. You’re here because you’re a criminal. We could hardly trust you to stay alone.”
Theo once again broke in. “It’s about your protection, as well. We are near the edge of our borders. It isn’t as safe here.” He sounded as if he were convincing himself as much as me.
Still, I was getting nowhere with this argument.
To give them a reaction is to give them power.
Be amicable and accommodating.
Gathering up what was left of my dignity, I turned back to Iiro and Inessa.
“Good night then, Duke, Duchess.” I dipped my chin to each of them, then spun in the direction of the door without waiting for a response.
The guards outside escorted us to the next house over, which looked much the same as the one Iiro and Inessa were in.
I blew out a long breath.
Staying alone in a room with a man who was not family, no chaperone in sight. I could just add this to the long list of things my father would kill Theo for.
