“How did you do it?” she whispered as she laid her head upon his chest and sighed heavily. She smelled like bluebells. Bluebells and comfort. He ran his hands down her back and wanted more than anything to kiss her, but they had an audience.
He shrugged. “A little bit of magic here and a little bit more there.” He seemed to have a permanent grin affixed to his face. He couldn’t stop smiling. But then several old men descended upon them. “The Trusted Few?” he murmured to her.
She nodded and lifted her head to look at him. Worry clouded her features.
“How does their ranking compare to that of a duke?” he asked.
“No comparison,” she replied quietly. “They are the governing body of our world.”
“Take them into custody,” one of the old men snapped.
“That would be an unfortunate decision,” Ashley said, using his strongest you-will-obey-me voice.
“You, sir, have entered our land without invitation,” one of them blustered, his face reddening as he sputtered.
“Your Grace,” Ashley said calmly.
“Beg your pardon?” another of them asked.
“Your Grace. That’s my title and it’s how you may refer to me.”
“Your title means nothing here,” Sophia warned.
“I beg to differ. My title has granted me leave my whole life. And you will pay me the respect I deserve.” He stopped and inhaled heavily through his nose. “Or I shall inform everyone of my world about yours. And I’m certain you don’t want more crossing the way I did.”
“Impossible,” one man snorted.
“Highly possible,” Ashley countered. He approached the men slowly. “You see, you are unaware that I hold the high card. I have one of your kind, in faerie form, under lock and key in my world. I will not hesitate to expose her, along with the rest of you, should you not hear me out.” He forced his tone to soften, though it was difficult. “You must grant me my say. That’s all I ask.”
The Trusted Few put their heads together and muttered incoherently. Finally, they motioned toward Ashley and Lord Ramsdale. “Follow, please,” one of them said.
Ramsdale raised a brow at Ashley, and then the two of them fell into step behind the men. “Don’t just stand there,” the old man in the chair said. “You two help me up and take me with you. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Ashley slid beneath one arm and Lord Ramsdale beneath the other. Lord Ramsdale turned toward his offspring. “Come along, son,” he said. Mr. Thorne blanched, and then shook his head as though shaking off a feeling of discomfort, and fell into step with them.
“You’re just going to leave us here?” Lady Ramsdale called.
“For now,” Lord Ramsdale called. “We’ll be back as soon as we’re able.”
“Ashley,” Sophia called. He glanced quickly at her. “Be careful.”
“I just came through a fish pond, played cards with a carp, slogged through smoke so thick I thought I’d have to saw my way out of it directly into your magical land, and you’re telling me to be careful now?” He laughed out loud.
“Quite farcical, isn’t it?” Sophia’s father asked.
“Quite.”
Thirty-Two
Ashley cringed as the leader of the Trusted Few banged his gavel and called for order. The duke leaned closer to Lord Ramsdale and asked, “Fae court?”
“I have no idea,” Ramsdale said with a shrug.
Ashley would have felt more in his element if he were wearing his own clothes. Or shoes. Or stockings. Or a waistcoat. He was sorely underdressed for the occasion. But he supposed it couldn’t be helped.
Ashley looked over at Sophia’s grandfather, who wore a look of resignation and warning. “Welcome to the land of the fae, gentlemen,” he said with reverence.
Ashley dropped into a low bow. As did Lord Ramsdale. “We are happy to be here.”