A Dove's Tale

Chapter 110

I just wanted to get to the library. That was all. I'd changed into a clean dress, I'd eaten lunch, and I'd decided the best way to have a private conversation with Gilbert was to isolate myself from everybody else and let him find me. He never had trouble doing that. And if he didn't show up, I could at least get some reading in before the tea party at two thirty.

Of course, my plan hinged on me being alone, and after three random stops in the hallway from assorted nobility, that didn't seem likely to happen.

"I'd love to," I said, smiling at my most recent interruption, a heavyset countess and her three plump daughters. "Why don't you send the details to Sariel, and he'll work it out with my schedule?"

Lady Simmons gave me a syrupy smile. Her husband, Lord Simmons, looked very much like the barrel in a waistcoat Luke fashioned for Clavis' mock social gathering. He was also on bad terms with the Michels, and his daughters' constant giggling behind their mother grated on my nerves. I couldn't tell if they were laughing at me or at their mother's poor sense of humor. Either way, I wasn't looking forward to a salon at their estate an hour's carriage ride away from the palace, but it could be a step toward better relations if all went well.

And, judging by the size of the family, I could at least count on the food being good.

"I'll do that," the countess said. "Come along, girls. We mustn't keep your father waiting."

The youngest of the 'girls' was at least ten years older than me, but all three followed their mother like chicks following a hen. Plump fluffy yellow chicks following a plump red-feathered hen, I thought, noting their garish yellow dresses and their mother's voluminous red gown. I tucked that image away and bade them a polite farewell. Maybe I would laugh about it later when I made it to the library.

"Hey, Ivetta!"

If I made it to the library.

I heaved a sigh and turned to acknowledge Clavis' arrival to the section of hallway where I'd spent the last thirty minutes, and my heart stopped for a split second. Silvio and Gilbert were with him. I only held Gilbert's blood-red gaze for a moment, but that was a moment too long.

"I heard you're baking today," Clavis said.

That got my attention back on him. His golden eyes and wide smile told me he was up to something, which put me on edge even more than his choice of companions. "Where did you hear that?"

"What will it be this time?" he continued, ignoring my question. "Beignets again? Or something different? A tart? A pie? Darioles?"

Licht or Keith must have told him I wanted to talk to Yves, I realized. I'd only intended to ask Yves if he knew how to make échaudés, and if he did, schedule a baking session for another day, but baking tonight could be fun. It was something I hadn't done since Mother's birthday two and a half months ago, and, after an afternoon of socializing with the upper class, spending a few hours in the familiarity of a kitchen with Chevalier and his brothers could be a nice, relaxing diversion. That would give me an excuse to change out of my corset and into one of the comfortable commoners' dresses Chevalier bought me, too.

"Okay," I said, interrupting Clavis and his increasingly lengthy list of desserts.

His golden eyes widened in momentary surprise. "Really?"

I smiled and nodded. "But it won't be until after dinner, and it won't be anything fancy, at least not from me. I'm not staying up late tonight. If Yves wants to make something extravagant, that's up to him."

"I should warn you, I have a voracious appetite," Gilbert said. His words sent a chill down my spine, even though his tone and his expression were pleasant. He would be there, too?