Sapphire let out the breath she’d been holding, and the tension in her shoulders eased. “Thank you.”
He tucked an escaped strand of her hair behind her ear, and the scent of sun-warmed roses teased him. He sensed her relief, and that brought him more happiness than it should. “You’ve dealt with enough of his nonsense. Least I could do.”
“You’re always so nice to everyone. I didn’t expect you to do that.”
“People sometimes mistake kindness for weakness. They’re not the same.” Sir Matthias kissed her forehead in a not entirely chaste gesture. “You’d better get packed if we’re going to make it to Kell’s Crossing by dusk.”
She frowned. “We’ll make it much farther than that, especially if you ride in the carriage with me so we aren’t stopped in every town.”
“I do get stopped a lot.”
“Every few blocks in Aerius.”
“A ride in a carriage alone with my wife? Doesn’t sound like a hardship to me.” He might actually be looking forward to it.
Sapphire laughed, a warm, rich, and real sound, then hurried upstairs with Mary and her lady’s maid in tow.
Reaching her room, Sapphire let out her breath as she sat at her vanity. Her gaze flicked to Mary as the maid brought out a heavy trunk.
“We’re going to see Sir Matthias’s family. I believe they live on a farm.”
Mary grunted something, and Courtney, Sapphire’s lady’s maid, giggled.
“Picked a good one, you did, ma’am.” Courtney unpinned Sapphire’s hair and combed out the thick, dark tresses.
Mary glanced up from the trunk she was filling with all the things Sapphire would need for a few days in the country.
Grinning, Mary slapped her thigh and belly laughed. For a moment, Sapphire saw the Mary that had served under her father. “You see that fish liver’s face? Still can’t believe Sir Matthias marched up there and carried him outta the house like a sack of rotten potatoes.”
“Had it coming, the blighter did. Wouldn’t have left any other way,” Courtney said.
Sir Matthias had already won over two of Sapphire’s servants, the two she trusted the most. Her instincts had been correct about him.
“You picked a good one, Miss Sapphire,” Mary said as she tossed a few more things into the trunk. “He’s a Knight of Valor. He’ll treat you right, too.”
Sapphire thought of the way he’d held her all night. The way he’d felt so strong and hard surrounding her, the pleasure of the kisses they’d shared, and the way he’d eased back when she’d become frightened. “He already does. Maybe too good.”
“Nothing’s too good for Captain Gregory’s little girl.”
Sapphire stared at her reflection. “Except I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“By the gods, I hope not, or I’d think a whole lot less of Sir Matthias. Now stop fretting. His family will love you.”
“I wish I were that sure.”
“Be you,” Mary said. “I remember seeing the two of you together at the orphanage, and you was all smiles and laughter. No need for airs or foolish frippery with Sir Matthias.”
Sapphire considered that. The woman she’d allowed herself to be at the orphanage was the woman that had walked the docks with her father. That balanced his books and decided which shipping agents to use.
But there was another side of her.
The side that knew how to act at the high society soirees and dinner parties she’d attended with her mother. The side that read three languages and played musical instruments.
The side that knew she’d sealed her fate as a social outcast when she’d married Sir Matthias.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Sapphire wasn’t sure which was the real her and which was the mask she wore. Maybe they were both her. Didn’t matter. Sir Matthias didn’t love either. Not that she expected him to. He was a Knight of Valor, touched by the Dragon God, and she was…
What was she?
Not exactly a noble, her grandfather made sure she knew that. But she wasn’t a merchant or commoner either. Not that any of it had mattered until Gregory Darrington’s death.
Then it had mattered all too much.
Courtney finished tidying Sapphire’s hair, then turned to the massive wardrobe. “It’ll be chilly once you get outside of Aerius this time of year. Miss will want something warm but comfortable enough for a long trip.”
“The cream velvet?” Sapphire suggested.
“Perhaps the burgundy,” Courtney said. “The color is flattering on you and less likely to get dirty from the country roads.”
“Thing has a million little buttons on it.”
A knowing smile curved the maid’s lips. “I’m sure Sir Matthias will help you outta those.”
Sapphire paused as she realized Courtney wasn’t planning on coming with her to the Northland farm. Of course she wasn’t. The Northlands might employ field hands, but they wouldn’t have domestic servants, much less a lady’s maid. She had to try to fit in.
Sadness stole through Sapphire as she realized how much further she’d drifted from her father. When he was alive, she’d worn boy’s trousers and climbed trees. And she’d have laughed at herself for thinking she needed a lady’s maid.
Straightening her spine, Sapphire stood and allowed her maid to help her into the sumptuous gown, its simple and elegant lines showcasing the rich fabric. Courtney then slipped a simple gold girdle around Sapphire’s waist.
“You look right pretty, miss, and should be comfortable for the ride.”
“And you’re packed,” Mary said. “Figure the clothes you wore down to the orphanage will do. And I packed you something to travel home in so the high society types don’t see you in them.”
Courtney peeked through the trunk and nodded her approval.
“And nightclothes, and-”
“Nightclothes, miss?” Courtney pursed her lips to hide a smile. “Don’t have any for you being a new bride and all, but I can fix that before you come home.”
“No need,” Sapphire said a little too quickly.
“They’re not for you, miss, and they’re not supposed to stay on long.” Courtney sighed, a wistful expression wreathing her face. “He’s a handsome one, miss, and did you see the way he dealt with Lord Bartley?”
Sapphire’s heart squeezed and a whisper of jealousy wove through her. “He’s a good man I shouldn’t keep waiting any longer. If everything is set, I suppose we should go. I want to make it to his family’s farm before the sun sets.”
Both Mary and Courtney stared at her, confusion pinching their faces. Sapphire said nothing. She didn’t need to explain her actions to them or the bargain she’d struck with Sir Matthias. And the arrangement was already working out as planned, demonstrated by Lord Bartley no longer being in her home.
And maybe… Sapphire silenced any further thoughts and hurried down the stairs to discover Sir Matthias chatting with a group of servants. He laughed and mock-punched one of the boys on the shoulder.
The Knight of Valor turned, and his smile changed when he saw her, the kind of smile that made Sapphire’s stomach flutter.