Page 95 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

"Ignore him," I advise. Though knowing Bastian, that's going to be easier said than done.

The dining room is set up like normal, except for Eliza's place setting has been returned. It takes a moment for me to realise that it isn't because my cousin is joining us, but because that's where Lord Fallmartin has seated Linc.

At least he's going to be next to me.

Bastian drops himself into his seat at the bottom of the table, still glaring at Linc.

"Will you stop it?" I murmur to him as I sit down.

"I don't like him."

"You don't know him," I counter.

"And you do?"

"Yes," I respond firmly.

His surprise shows on his face, but he isn't given a chance to say anything before the servants appear to fill up everyone's wine.

Linc grows pale as he watches and I slip my hand under the table in a clear breach of dinner party etiquette to touch him and let him know I understand. I wish I'd thought to talk to the kitchens about the situation in advance so they could have served something else. Then again, it's probably best that none of them know about Linc's situation. It feels like the kind of thing that could get around the castle very quickly.

"A toast," Lord Fallmartin says. "To the future of House Rothorne and House Soveguine." He lifts his wine glass up, encouraging us all to do the same.

"Just pretend," I whisper to Linc.

He nods and picks up his glass, his hand shaking as he does. I wish I could make this easier for him. "To our future." He lifts his glass to Lord Fallmartin, and then to me.

I smile at him in what I hope is a reassuring manner, but I fear it's not enough. At least until he pretends to take a sip and puts down the glass without touching a drop.

I echo the toast, while Bella and Thomas do the same on the other side of the table, and Bastian continues to do whatever it is that he's doing. It seems suspiciously like he's just trying to be unhappy about everything.

"I'm surprised that Pip hasn't joined us," Linc says.

"She does for breakfast and informal lunches," I respond.

"She shouldn't be in the dining room at all," Bastian scolds.

"I don't see a problem with it." Linc picks up his wine glass without thinking.

I clear my throat and he realises what he's done, putting it back down. His expression falls for a moment, but then he nods and turns his attention to his napkin instead.

"Pip is a lovely dog, I can see why Beatrice would want a companion like her," Linc says.

Bastian scowls, not having noticed the minute exchange between us.

"I enjoy having Pip at breakfast," Thomas says, piping in. "She reminds me of the dogs that live at Vermouten Castle."

"I didn't realise you had dogs," I respond, leaning back so a servant can place my meal down in front of me.

"I don't myself," Thomas responds. "They belong to some of the farmers who tend the land there. Though I suspect Pip is a little more spoiled than those dogs."

"She's been my companion for years," I say. "I'm so glad I was able to bring her with me on the Golden Moon."

To my surprise, Lord Fallmartin nods. "I would never have expected you to leave a pet behind, Beatrice."

I freeze in place, letting the words process for a moment. I want to ask him if they're true, but I know the answer to that. Lord Fallmartin has nothing to gain from saying them if they aren't, and could easily have stayed silent.

I look at my brother, who does everything he can to avoid my gaze.