“I can’t wait to see him.” Hesitancy clouded Venasha’s expression, and I quickly added, “If it’s not an imposition.”

“No, no.” She let out a long breath. “I really want you to see him. He’s gotten so big. All right.” Determination gleamed in her eyes. “How about we meet in the public gardens by the River Palace tomorrow? Foss brings Aleki there most days so I can slip away from the library to see him.”

“Excellent. I can’t wait.”

“How about you? What brings you to Ardence?”

Now it was my smile that became strained. “Well …”

Venasha grimaced dramatically. “Let me guess. The Situation.”

I laughed, despite myself. “Is that what you call it?”

“That’s what they call it in the River Palace. I pass through the halls on my way to the Ducal Library every day, and the nobles are always talking about it. All very serious. I mostly ignore them.”

“Probably for the best.”

Someone tapped my shoulder. “Amalia! There you are.”

It was Domenic. The slightly panicky look in his deep-brown eyes belied his welcoming smile. “May I speak to you privately a moment?”

Venasha gasped in pretended shock. “Already sneaking off together! Amalia has barely set foot back in Ardence, Domenic.”

I blushed. There were reasons besides treason to speak to a lady alone, and Venasha no doubt remembered all too well how I’d felt about Domenic during my stay in Ardence, given how much I’d prattled on to her about him.

Domenic bowed to Venasha. “If you let me borrow her, I’ll show you the new bookshop where I found that Callamornish epic you were looking for.”

“Loan me your copies of Orsenne’s histories while you’re at it, and we have a deal,” Venasha laughed.

Whispers followed us as Domenic and I stepped out into the little courtyard garden, an uninspired jumble of confused statuary and square-trimmed bushes. The lights from the party fell across the black lawn, shadows and laughter passing across the bright arches of the windows.

I shivered; my velvet cape was inside, and the night air sucked the heat right out of the low neckline of my gown. Domenic didn’t notice. I couldn’t help thinking Marcello would have.

He drew himself up, as if bracing for opposition. “I want to introduce you to my brother.”

I looked around the empty garden. “Is your brother a shrub, then?”

Domenic laughed, but it came out a bit forced. “Oh, yes, didn’t I tell you? He’s a rosebush. Comes from my mother’s side of the family.” He made a face. “Some days, I wish he were a shrub. He’s been at it night and day, circulating through court, telling everyone how our wonderful friends in Vaskandar will solve all our problems for us if we just stand up to Raverra.”

“I take it you haven’t been able to convince him this is a terrible idea?”