3 hours ago
Natalie’s smirk was sharp and familiar now that he had the name to go with it. Of course. Northbrook. Not Isobel. Natalie. The younger one. The one with a reputation.
He almost smiled, but it didn’t quite reach. “Then I suppose I owe your sister an apology,” he replied smoothly, straightening his cuffs again though they didn’t need it. His voice was polite, if touched with droll amusement, as if he were checking off a social box out of habit more than interest. Still, his attention lingered on her longer than it should have. She wasn’t dressed for a masquerade, but somehow still looked like she’d sauntered out of one. He wondered at the connection between a Northbrook and this American.
Jay’s sudden motion caught his attention. He stepped back slightly, registering the edge that buzzed around the man like static. The bruised hand said enough. The quiet claim of her name said the rest. Curiouser and curiouser. But Carter’s assessment was interrupted as a nurse emerged.
“Mr. Volthström?” He lifted a hand in acknowledgment. “Miss Marveet is asking for you,” she said, professional but tentative, as though unsure whether she was speaking to a man who belonged in a place like this.
“Duty calls,” he said with a faint raise of his brows. “Miss Northbrook. Dominion.”
He almost smiled, but it didn’t quite reach. “Then I suppose I owe your sister an apology,” he replied smoothly, straightening his cuffs again though they didn’t need it. His voice was polite, if touched with droll amusement, as if he were checking off a social box out of habit more than interest. Still, his attention lingered on her longer than it should have. She wasn’t dressed for a masquerade, but somehow still looked like she’d sauntered out of one. He wondered at the connection between a Northbrook and this American.
Jay’s sudden motion caught his attention. He stepped back slightly, registering the edge that buzzed around the man like static. The bruised hand said enough. The quiet claim of her name said the rest. Curiouser and curiouser. But Carter’s assessment was interrupted as a nurse emerged.
“Mr. Volthström?” He lifted a hand in acknowledgment. “Miss Marveet is asking for you,” she said, professional but tentative, as though unsure whether she was speaking to a man who belonged in a place like this.
“Duty calls,” he said with a faint raise of his brows. “Miss Northbrook. Dominion.”