" You and I need only handle our duties . Any attempt at flattery is wasted on me ," Soren said , the edge in his tone left perfectly bare.He spared no courtesy , as though trimming fat from a blade . By the time the carriage rolled beneath the lantern - lit gates of the Niven family estate , Fiona was still turning his contradiction over and over in her mind . A man does not usually brush a woman's hair unless there is intimacy , she thought , yet affection was clearly impossible . Women sense these things ; in Soren's gaze , there was not the faintest flicker of desire for her - only level , unemotional dark . " These plum blossoms are gorgeous , far richer than the usual sort ," Pearl Winters said brightly when Fiona stepped inside with the bouquet . " Let me place them in water for you , Miss . " Fiona wandered through Lily Garden in search of Meryl , calling softly , but her mother was nowhere to be seen . Pearl Winters slipped past the brocade portière , her breath clouding in the cool morning air . She bent to Fiona's ear and murmured , " Good news , Lady Fiona . Ms. Rita is expecting . Lady Meryl and Madam Joanna left at first light for the Wagner estate to congratulate her . " The needle in Fiona's hand paused mid - stitch . She silently counted backward through the recent moons . Yes - this was exactly when Rita had carried her firstborn . Rita's marriage had unfolded like a courtly ballad , every verse charmed . Her first child had been the Wagner family's rightful eldest grandson . Her second , the household's very first granddaughter - cherished , indulged , practically wrapped in silk and song . With those two births , Rita's standing inside the Wagners had become immovable granite . Though Fiona sometimes found herself nettled by her cousin's easy luck , she still felt a swell of pride . When I visit , what gift can possibly match such joy ? she wondered , already sifting through possibilities of silk , pearls , and rare tonics . The climb up Frostenden Mountain earlier that day had drained every ounce of strength she possessed . She skipped supper , collapsed onto her mattress , and surrendered to sleep before the lamps had even been trimmed . Night unfurled a startling , honey - scented dream . She was back inside the wooden lodge on Frostenden's summit . Snow sealed the mountainside in white silence , yet the room burned with heat - breath mingling , hearts racing - and the man beside her was Xavier . Fiona jolted upright at dawn and drained an entire pitcher of water , cooling the embers in her 1/3 14:46 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 41 Professional Distance chest . Why on earth would I dream of a man - of him - in such wicked detail ? A ( 58 ) +20 Free Coins Later that morning , Lilith bustled in and spotted the vase of crimson - edged blossoms on the windowsill . " Fiona , did you gather those plum branches on Frostenden Mountain ? " " I did , " Fiona replied . Lilith's tone set her nerves humming - something about the flowers was suddenly suspect . " When we went to admire the snow , we wanted to pick some too , but Lord Soren stopped us . He said the blossoms are called Dreamfall plum and carry poison . You ought to throw them out , " Lilith warned . So that was why Soren had brushed the petals from her cloak with his own hands yesterday- yet never breathed a word of caution . Such a dark heart , she thought , though aloud she merely smiled . " The mountain scenery alone was worth the journey . " " Cold , though , " Lilith said , rubbing hands reddened beneath her heavy cloak . " Why didn't you stay inside the wooden lodge where it was warm ? " Lilith blinked . " Wasn't the lodge reserved ? Ordinary guests weren't allowed in , were they ? " Fiona's eyes narrowed in sudden understanding . Harriet must have prepared that lodge for Soren alone - no wonder the doors were barred to the rest of us . Lilith sighed , a note of envy threading her voice . " Having an elder brother like Lord Soren is a blessing . He considers everything for Naomi . Even when she stirs up trouble , he clears the mess without letting her worry ." Fiona's thoughts drifted to her own brothers . Vincent would do the same for me , if only they were still here in Jexburgh , she mused with quiet loyalty . News of Rita's pregnancy sent Hannah into raptures . She summoned Fiona personally , instructing her to pay a congratulatory visit to the Wagner estate , Even the date of the visit had been chosen by a geomancy master . According to the calculations , Fiona would best bless Rita four days hence - no sooner , no later . " Rita's appetite is poor these days , " the matriarch said , tapping Fiona's wrist for emphasis . " Your cook works miracles with pastries . Have him prepare a selection , and take them to your sister . " Joanna interjected with a gentle laugh . " Mother , rest easy . The Wagners spoil Rita terribly . She simply craves sour flavors and refuses everything else . " Hannah chuckled . " Sounds like a boy is on the way . " 2/3 14:46 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 41 Professional Distance Joanna answered only with a knowing smile . :. 58 +20 Free Coins The elder woman's gaze softened toward Fiona . " If you can bring me half the pride Rita has given me , my girl , I shall count myself content . " Joanna weighed the matter with a private , almost amused detachment . In her eyes , Fiona's future husband would never eclipse the son - in - law already seated at the Wagner table ; finding a man of equal worth felt as impossible as pulling starlight into a jar . " Set your mind at ease , Hannah , " she added , voice light as tinkling glass . " With that face , our Fiona could charm any suitor alive . Why , even a prince from the Imperial Palace would not overreach himself . " Hannah exhaled a soft , age - worn sigh . " Better we leave the Palace unmentioned , " she murmured . " Royal sons sit on thrones made of sharpened chess pieces . Few pause to spare their wives ; many would sacrifice them with the flick of a sleeve . I will not throw my granddaughter into that game ." The Wagner clan had long ago divided its wealth among separate households , each branch with its own grand residence scattered across Jexburgh's handsome avenues . Yet blood ran warmer than distance ; visits , letters , and shared meals flowed back and forth almost daily . So when word arrived that Fiona would call today , Yolanda rose before dawn and hurried to her uncle's estate - the very house where Rita now presided - to await her cousin's carriage . " I heard things have grown tense between you and Naomi , " Yolanda said the moment Fiona stepped through the lacquered doors . " Lessons at the academy must feel icy . If I run into Serena Prescott or Mindy Ronson in the next few days , I'll see what can be mended . " 3/3