23 Chapter 15

It is painfully obvious that Kent is going out of his way to avoid me.

I let it go because as long as he's avoiding me he's avoiding the people who know where Helena is.

It's only noon the next day that he actually swallows his anger and seeks me out.

Even then there's an edge of annoyance when he does.

"What's going on?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

It's not entirely a lie.

After all it is possible he hasn't noticed that she's gone.

Just as possible as Larcen wearing a bright pink ball gown.

"People are on edge... and Helena is nowhere to be seen."

I let out a sigh.

"Kent… You're not going to like what I have to say."

He stiffens.

I know he's waiting for me to say it but…

I can't seem to form the words.

I'm afraid.

If she's right and he rushes after her, what then?

I want to believe that she's wrong.

I want -

"Just say it and let me be the judge of that."

Right.

This isn't the time to waffle.

If I'm going to do as she asked then now is the time.

Still there's a traitorous part of me that wishes he'd get fed up and leave without finding out.

"What's going on, Sonia?"

His voice is low and controlled when he asks it but I can see his patience is running out.

"Will you promise me that no matter what I say you'll remain here?"

"Sonia."

His tone was warning.

"Just promise."

"I refuse to do that without hearing why. I let you go off to your death once; I'm not about to promise that I'll do it again."

I'm almost startled by the feeling in his voice.

There's nothing for it then.

"Then I order it of you."

I try to keep my voice steady and commanding.

Kent stiffens even further.

Any more and he'll have to bend over backwards.

"Helena has gone to get something."

"Something? What something?"

I shrug.

"She didn't say."

"If it's not the what that made you order me to stay it's the where. Where did she go, Sonia?"

Damn his perceptiveness.

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Then again with a lead up like that even the most oblivious person would know something is up.

There was a time when hearing me say that would cease his enquiries.

"If you don't tell me someone else will."

That time has come to an end.

"Look she went to see Lord Ausset."

Kent curses.

It's almost funny seeing the ever proper Kent curse.

If he didn't look so worried I might have laughed.

"Why did you let her go?"

This time it's me who stiffens.

"I didn't 'let' her do anything. She's a grown woman and she made her own decision."

"But Ausset? The King's men are probably watching the place and if not, he'll rat her out!"

Not for the first time I wonder at Kent's hostility towards Lord Ausset.

His hostility for the old Lord Ausset made some sense, but for Timothy?

If this was a new development after what happened when they were at Lord Ausset's estate I might have understood, but Kent has always taken a dislike to him.

"He wouldn't do that to her."

Unlike the old Lord Ausset, Timothy was kind.

Sure there was usually a layer of fake charm and politeness on top, but beneath it his intentions have always seemed good.

And beyond that - he cares for Helena.

There's no doubt in my mind about that.

He practically broadcasts it whenever she's brought up.

"You don't know that for sure."

"I do."

I put all my conviction into those two short words.

They don't remove his doubts.

"And if you're wrong? Our best chance of making it out of this alive will be gone. Helena will be dead."

A chill runs down my spine.

"Well there's nothing we can do about it now, is there? If he intends to hand her over then she's probably already in the King's custody."

He doesn't respond.