Page 63 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

"He can be a bit of a recluse," Marcus says. "Though he's been at more events in the past couple of weeks than I think I've seen him at in the past six months. Perhaps you're a good influence on him."

"I don't know if I'd go that far."

"I would. I saw him turn down wine earlier."

I start to ask how they know one another when I spot Linc huddled in a corner with a pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Marcus, I need to go."

He twists so he can see where I'm looking and immediately lets go of my hands. "Do what you need to."

"I'm sorry, I know it's rude..."

"If it helps Linc, then who am I to complain?" he says, dipping his head and seeming genuine. But I don't have time to consider what that might mean. Considering I know about his secret affair, I doubt Marcus is going to be telling anyone that I'm friends with Linc. Though I'm not foolish enough to think that friends is all we are.

I offer him a smile and hurry over to where the other man is muttering to himself. It's only as I draw closer that I notice he's knotting the ribbon I gave him over and over.

"Linc," I say softly, reaching out and putting my hand over his.

He looks up, relief written all over his face. "Bea."

"Are you all right?"

"I want to drink," he says bluntly.

I nod in understanding. "Is the ribbon helping?"

"A bit. But I think I need a bigger distraction." He sticks it in his pocket.

"Dance with me," I say. "I know I'm not supposed to be the one to ask, but I think we can make an exception."

He nods and holds out his hand to me. I take it, enjoying how right it feels to be touching him like this. And how different it is to what it's like to touch Marcus, or any of the other gentlemen I've danced with while at court.

Linc leads me onto the floor just as a song ends and the next starts. He bows deeply, and I dip into the curtsy, rising in time to see Lord Fallmartin watching me.

For one awful moment, I think I might be doing something wrong, but he simply smiles and lifts his goblet in my direction. I don't know who Linc is, but clearly he's enough of someone for my father to be pleased for me to be seen publicly dancing with him.

Maybe there's a small chance that I could end up betrothed to him after all.

The moment Linc's hand touches my waist, and he entwines the fingers of his other with mine, I forget all about what Lord Fallmartin may or may not think. I don't care about anyone's opinion but the man in front of me.

"Better?" I ask as we start to spin around the floor.

"A little. It's still tempting."

I nod. "After we're done dancing, we could get some blood and head to the library?" I suggest. I don't know whether blood will be enough to help him, but it's worth suggesting.

"I think that sounds like a good idea."

"My cousin said there's a Feast at midnight, so it will be better for us to be long gone by then anyway."

He grimaces. "I should have expected that."

"Mmm. The couple aren't expected to watch, are they?" I ask.

"Thinking about your own wedding?"

"Pretty much."

"The groom is normally expected to take part," he responds as he spins me.