Chapter 315: The cards and flowers.
Roland thought it was important to mention this fact to Sigrid before Christie found herself in a family way. "My love, I should mention this before it is too late. Orpheus is an Ashford. If rumors are to be believed, the time he has spent talking to Christie is enough to see results in nine or ten months."
Sigrid looked back and she caught a glimpse of Christie smiling at Sir Orpheus. She thought back to the day Christie had said with much vigor that she would not be among the women that bore Ashford children. Perhaps she had spoken too soon and in future, she would have to eat her words.
"We should head inside first." Roland put his hand on the curve of Sigrid’s lower back.
She smartly dodged his touch and shook her head. "I am afraid that I cannot invite you in your highness, even in courtship, a gentleman does not call on a lady in the dark. Not unless he has nefarious plans. Do you have such plans?"
Roland looked down at her face and smirked. "I always have nefarious plans for you."
His answers were always ridiculous and often playful. She took a step back and respectful curtsied. "Good night, your royal highness."
Roland remained motionless for a while. He did not believe that she would leave him outside and go in alone. But that was exactly what she did and her ladies-in-waiting followed her faithfully.
A sullen Galen and unsatisfied Orpheus could only watch the gates close behind the women with reluctance in their eyes. They watched the gates for far longer than they should have. Their eyes were hopeful that by a stroke of a miracle, they would be opened and they would be invited in.
Rudbeck whispered to Lord Evermore, "They look like puppies that have lost their mothers. Is this what I look like when my wife kicks me out of the house on rare occasions because my mouth was too smart to know what was good for it?"