Page 26 of Charmless

“I don’t understand why you are so determined to think him guilty. What proof do you have? Oh, I forgot, proof is no longer necessary in this kingdom,” I added bitterly. “People can be snatched up and flung into the Dismal Dungeons without a trial. That is now the way of things in Arcady.”

“But that is notmyway.” There was a trace of hurt in Horatio’s voice. “I hope you would know that by now, Ella.”

“Of course, I do.” I kissed his cheek to reassure him. “But you are alarming me with all of your suspicions about Mal.”

“If your friend is as innocent as you believe, there is nothing to worry about. All Hawkridge must do is give me a satisfactory answer regarding his whereabouts yesterday at midnight. That is when we have the changing of the guard at the garrison. That would have been the only real opportunity for someone to gain access to the Aura chamber.”

Beaming up at Horatio, I blurted out, “Then it could not have been Mal. I know exactly where he was at midnight. With me.”

Oh frap. I realized my mistake the moment the words were out of my mouth.

Horatio frowned at me. “But Ella, you were at the ball and Hawkridge was not. At least, I never saw him there. Did you not just tell me that all Hawkridges are banned from ever coming to the palace?”

“Well, yes and that is why I did not meet Mal at the royal castle. There is an abandoned cottage in the woods just outside the palace grounds.”

“That is where you were with Hawkridge? Inside this secluded cottage? Alone at midnight?”

I winced, realizing that this was all sounding worse and worse. “We were notinsidein the cottage. We just met on the bench outside.”

“Why?” Horatio demanded.

Because I needed to hand over that frapping orb I had stolen for him before I was caught with it in my pocket.

I moistened my lips, finding it easier to study the braiding on Horatio’s uniform rather than meet his questioning gaze.

“Mal was not able to come to the ball, but he was still concerned about me, wanting to make sure I was enjoying myself.”

That excuse sounded weak even to my ears, but I babbled on, “You see, Mal was the one who bought the ball tickets for me and my stepmother and sisters.”

“How generous of him,” Horatio said wryly.

“My sisters called him our fairy godfather. We could never have afforded to have gone to the ball otherwise, not even after I sold my mother’s earrings. He furnished me with a gown and hired a coach as well. But that is so typical of Mal. He has ever been reckless with his money, always confident that he can acquire more.”

Horatio started to say something but appeared to think better of it. He finally said, “Hawkridge was with you at midnight. You would swear to that?”

“Yes!”

“Very well. I will take you word for it.” But Horatio studied my face in a way that made me acutely uncomfortable. “Ella, do you remember what I said to you the night of the ball?”

I ventured a smile. “That you love me?”

“Yes, there was that. But I said something to you equally important. That I would do anything within my power for you. I also asked you to promise me if you ever found yourself in any kind of trouble, you would come to me. And you promised.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Forgive me, but I feel as though there is something you are holding back.” Horatio cupped my cheek in his hand, his gaze gentle and reassuring. “You can trust me, Ella. Are you sure there is nothing else you wish to tell me?”

If ever there was a moment to confess about the stolen orb, this was it. My breath hitched in my throat, my heart swelling with the need to unburden myself. I did trust Horatio with my very life.

But not with Mal’s.

“No, there is nothing,” I forced myself to say brightly, although the lie almost stuck in my throat.

“Very well.” He drew me into his arms, his kiss as tender as ever. But perhaps it was my guilty conscience at work. When we parted, I imagined I saw a flash of doubt and disappointment in his eyes.

Five

Isaw little of Horatio during the ensuing days. I assured myself this was because he was preoccupied, trying to track down the perpetrators behind the theft at Quad Hall, and not because he was avoiding me. When we did have a chance to meet in town, our exchanges were far too brief and too public to allow for anything more than a touch of our hands.