Chapter 27 Jasmine
“Jasmine, I would have thought your parents would have made the introductions since this is their gathering.” Lady Aquila said, looking at her, bewildered.
Lord Hamus was Jasmine’s father. This was her family’s house. Lucy thought she had walked into the lion’s den.
Like her mother, her body was adorned with jewels, but what was most striking was the dress she wore. It was red like Lucy’s, but hers was so tight that it left little to the imagination about the curvature of her body.
“Well, father and mother are very busy attending to guests.” Jasmine bristled at the insinuation.
“That’s a shame, we’ve had a lovely time talking with Lady Lucinda.” Lady Cecil added.
Before Jasmine could counter, a bell chimed, indicating that the meal was to be served.
Bethias cut in, “You’ll have to excuse us, Jasmine, as we do not wish to keep your parents waiting.”
Lucy noticed the weight that Bethias carried, as Jasmine did not protest but just stepped aside, visibly annoyed but silent.
In the dining room, she was guided to her seat. She was seated next to Lord Hamus, with the Duke across from her and Bethias on her side. She was thankful for the friendly face. Lord Garrick was in sight but was conversing with Lady Calenda.
The Lord praised her choice of wine for the evening and asked about where she had procured it. Lucy swiftly tuned out the conversation.
The dining room sparkled as every inch had been polished. It was not nearly as large as the one in the palace, but it provided a more intimate setting. The setting had what Lucy assumed was the family crest painted in gold. The crystals were works of art.
Footmen lined the walls waiting for their moment. The guests took their seats as they conversed with those around them.
The duke was engaged in conversation with a Lord about the cattle the Lord owned. Apparently, the Duke had a vast herd back at his estate and was always looking to improve his stock. Lucy wondered if a herd of cows would be added to her price in the treaty.
A barrel of wine and two cows, Lucy thought. Perhaps they could throw in a goat to sweeten the pot.
She was nervous sitting so close to her host for the evening and looked for a compliment she could bestow upon him. “My Lord, if I may, I have had the loveliest time tonight.”
“Thank you, my lady, I am sorry His Majesty was unable to attend.” His voice was void of emotion as if he was annoyed Lucy was speaking to him. She wondered if the whole evening, her invitation, had just been a way to get the king there.
Bethias cut in, “Count it a blessing or else Arlo might have, and who knows what might have been done.”
When Bethias spoke to him, the Lord became more engaged and interested as he looked at her.
“I can think of few who are grateful for the lack of the young lord's presence tonight,” Hamus said with his eyes cutting to Garrick and back again.
A smile fought for control of Lucy’s lips, causing her to look down at her lap.
The first course was served, and Lucy was able to hide away in her food. The rest of the meal, the conversation was more focused on the Duke. Politics were discussed. The ladies tended to stay out of the lords’ way, letting them lead the discussion.
Bethias would clarify or explain in Lucy’s ear from time to time when lands and titles were discussed.
Those who were interested in Osteryia would ask the duke questions, not bothering to ask Lucy. She was invisible or just a doll to be dressed up.
At one point, a lord told her she was lovely, but the way he said it seemed like it was a surprise to him. She wondered what the vampires thought of humans. She knew the human opinion well enough but had yet to hear the other side.
Their escorts from the palace to the house were nowhere to be seen. Lucy had not seen the knights or vampires that had accompanied them since they arrived.
Perhaps there was a separate place for them to dine.
Lady Calenda never tried to engage Lucy in conversation as she sat on the other side of her husband. Lucy did not engage her either. Her daughter Jasmine did not seem pleased by Lucy’s presence at the table, and while she was not openly hostile, her mood was felt.
As they bid their host farewell, Bethias escorted them to the carriage. “It was nice to see you, Lord Garrick,” She said before kissing both of his cheeks.
“It’s always a pleasure. Give my best to your husband. Do we need to give you a ride in the carriage?” Lord Garrick asked, motioning to their own carriage. It was the most agreeable Lucy had seen the vampire. He was almost falling over himself to assist Lady Bethias. Perhaps she was a witch who could melt the coldest of hearts.
“I will, and no thank you, my carriage is pulling up now, ” she said before turning to Lucy. “Lady Lucinda, we must do something soon.”
A pair of dapple grey ponies pulling a carriage came to a stop behind them.
“I look forward to it, and please call me Lucy.” Lucy felt comfortable sharing that detail with her.
Bethias smiled sincerely, “Lucy, it is,” she said before embracing her and ushering her into the carriage. The hug caught Lucy by surprise. Her maid back at her father’s estate was the only one who ever hugged her, and that was on rare occasions when Lucy was almost broken by her Stepmother.
She never pictured a vampire as a hugger, but she returned the gesture with a smile before climbing into the carriage, as the others waited for her.
As they arrived back at the palace, the sky was beginning to lighten. The carriage unloaded its passengers under a covered area that shielded them from the sun.
Duke yawned as he thanked Lord Garrick for another fantastic night. The two had seemed to form almost a Friendship as most of their free time had been spent in each other's company.
She had learned her way to her chambers over the days and quickly made her way up the steps. As she paused at her door, she looked down the hall to see if anyone was there, but there was no one. Then she entered her chambers to sleep the day away.