Silence Reigns

Chapter 5

"Pardon?"

"Would you like more tea? I swear, you're going deaf."

Erielle shook her head. "Oh, yes. Thank you."

The spoon clinked in her teacup as Ransom poured more tea into it. He had called earlier that day, and the day before that, after the Priming Ceremony, insisting that she needed time away from her duties. She had reluctantly agreed, knowing that it was true and that he would just try to persuade her anyway.

"Isn't this better?" he commented, stirring in the sugar for her.

Erielle looked up from her staring across the patio and over the lawn. "If by 'better' you mean more relaxing than having Father discussing my marriage and Mother breathing down my neck about who I might marry someday, then yes, I agree."

"I do mean that." He laughed and watched her thoughtful face for a few seconds. "Tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"You look distressed. Tell me what's going on inside that head."

"I am distressed," Erielle admitted. "All this talk of marriage, and suitors, and successors...I feel as if it's all too much. I've never been courted before, and I don't know what to expect. I don't know if the man my father chooses will be the man I love. I don't know, I don't know."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I've never been courted either."

She ignored the jest and waved her hand in the air. "And what about being queen? I still don't know what that is about. How can I ever be queen of any place?" She stopped suddenly, realizing that she was talking to Ransom of Landoness, and that he was a liar. "I don't know why I'm confiding in you."

"Because I'm here to listen."

"Oh, really?" she challenged, taking a sip of her tea. "So you can run back to your older brother and gossip?"

"Now what is that supposed to mean?"

"What does it mean? I don't know, Sir Landoness; maybe you should explain it to me. I think you know better than I do."

Ransom set his teacup down and looked at her a long while until she began fidgeting with her hands. Finally, he said, "You do not trust me."

"Is there a reason I shouldn't?"

"Not one that I know of."

She scoffed. "How you lie."

"Lie? I am an open book; search me if you will, and you will not find deceit in me."

"I do not believe you."

"Why?"

She looked at him, appalled by his blatant denial, but before she could stop herself, she noted his handsomely dark features, perfect jawline, dark, mysterious eyes. In a quick attempt to guard herself against his looks, she told herself that the mystery in his eyes foretold a concealed identity, one that she should be wary of, and in a moment, she had steeled herself again.

"Because I spoke with my brother at the Priming Ceremony?"

She blinked, startled that he knew.

"Am I not permitted to speak with my own brother? If so, I will refrain at your command, my lady." He tilted his head at her. "But you hardly know me, and it is not fair to judge me based on the little things you see."

"You are right; I don't know you," Erielle said, her gaze hard.

"Then perhaps you should get to know me," he said harshly. "I think that would answer some of your questions."