Page 102 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

“I’m an enthusiast.” She finally answers, her voice a touch hoarse. “Mr. Devereaux has been kind enough to let me loiter about and take in the atmosphere.”

“How lovely,” Mrs. Blakely says. “And so kind of you, Mr. Devereaux.”

“As a lover of art, you must be quite astounded by our dear Candace’s skills,” says Mr. Blakely.

Those associated with the theater freeze.

Candace tries to laugh, but her eyes dart to Sabine as if she’s worried the princess will burst into song here and now, outing her. “Mr. Blakely, you flatter me.”

“Not at all,” he says indulgently. “You’re the talk about the city. Your voice is like an angel’s.”

“Or a Faerie’s,” Frederick murmurs beside me, only loud enough for Sabine and me to hear.

The princess is too dignified to laugh aloud, but her lips quirk to the side with her amusement.

Graciously, she responds, “I believe Candace has done a lovely job with the part.”

“I haven’t seen the show yet,” Charles’s younger brother says, giving Sabine a smile I don’t particularly care for. “And I’m afraid I’m uncultured in the ways of the theater. Perhaps you would accompany me to one of the performances this week and gift me with your knowledge?”

Candace lets out a laugh that’s on the line of hysterical, and then she reaches for her wine, taking a healthy gulp.

“That would likely be uncomfortable for Sabine and Alex both,” Frederick says mildly.

Lord Cavinder’s eyes go between the princess and me. “Are the two of you officially courting now?”

Sabine turns to me, lips parting with surprise, looking as unsure how to answer as I am.

On display, we have no choice but to see this through. I take her hand and drop a kiss to her knuckles before I face our audience once more. “We are.”

“You’ve decided to stay in Davon, Sabine?” Lord Cavinder says. “I cannot imagine Alexander would wish to leave his theater.”

“There’s time to think of those matters later,” I say brusquely.

Lord Cavinder smiles. “If you’re interested in selling, I could draw up an offer.”

Sabine squeezes my hand, reminding me to keep calm in front of the others.

“Alex isn’t selling the theater,” Frederick snaps, putting an end to that.

Thankfully the tense exchange goes mostly unnoticed by the others.

“You’ll soon be up to your neck in wedding preparations, right, Charles?” Mr. Blakely says, looking pleased.

“Candace forbade me from helping,” Charles answers.

Looking perturbed, Candace gives her fiancé a tight smile. “Rather, you’re too busy to help.”

Dismissing her irritation, Charles says, “You and your aunt have things well under control.”

As they politely bicker, I steal a glance at Sabine. Not realizing I’m watching her, she stares at her dessert plate, using the outside tine of her silver fork to nudge a piece of strawberry tart from one delicate rim to the other.

I lean close. “Are you all right?”

She jerks her head up, smiling brightly as she sets her fork aside. “I’m fine. Why?”

Taking note of the dark circles under her eyes, I say, “It’s nothing.”

She returns her attention to the others, pretending to care about the conversation. But her smile is forced.