Tempered Hearts (Hearts of Valentia Book 1) by Starla Huchton, S. A. Huchton Read Free Book Online

so there was no needless ceremony. A thick-fingered butler set her tea before her to tide her over as they awaited the rest of their company. Near the bottom of her cup, the doors opened once more to admit Prince Darius, smartly dressed in a dark leather doublet and gray breeches, as well as Duke Ingram, who looked as though he hadn’t gotten quite enough rest the night before. The prince bid them sit before they finished standing for his entrance, however, an odd efficiency she wasn’t used to amongst noble company.
    “Do excuse our tardiness,” the duke said as he sat. “There was business to attend to this morning, and it took a bit longer than expected.”
    “Business before breakfast?” her mother said. “I wonder if His Highness sleeps at all for how tirelessly he seems to work.”
    It was brief, but she caught the barest of glances between the duke and prince.
    “Yes, well I thought I might take the morning to show yourself and Lady Arden about the castle grounds,” Prince Darius said, shifting in his seat. “As a means of making up for my… reluctant conversation last evening. I’m afraid I was preoccupied with other things, and wasn’t at my best.”
    Preoccupied? Was that what it was? She studied his face, and while he did look a little tired, she didn’t see any telltale sign of worry lines creasing his forehead or tense movements when he reached for his drink. Still, she didn’t know him well enough to think he might be lying, so there was little for her to do but accept his words as truth.
    She sipped the last of her tea and set it aside, a server immediately whisking it away for a refill. “I imagine your duties are quite extensive, Highness. After a long day of such, I can see where idle chat over inconsequential things would be off-putting. I do apologize for being poor company for you.”
    He glanced at her briefly, then smiled a little as he looked away. “You were hardly poor company, Lady Arden. The fault lies with the host, and I’ll not allow you to take the blame for my poor manners. I’m afraid I’m still adapting to the softer side of society.”
    A small bowl of sliced fruit appeared before her, lightly sugared and glistening in the early morning light. “Anyone who’s spent any time at court would not be so quick to call it soft.” She started to chuckle, but paused with a fork halfway to her mouth when she realized what she’d said. Cringing, she refused to look at her mother. She already knew what look she was giving. “That is to say…”
    To her amazement, the man actually laughed. She stared at him, bewildered by the sparkle in his eye. It was a genuine laugh, and not at all for her benefit. A quick look at Duke Ingram reassured her she wasn’t imagining it, as his wink spoke of approval she knew she wouldn’t get from her mother.
    “I’m told my lady does have a different way of dealing with political matters,” the prince said. “I’m beginning to think what I heard was entirely accurate.”
    Completely mystified, she wasn’t sure what he meant by that at all. “What was it you heard?”
    He shrugged. “Well, for example, I was told you were quite vocal in your insistence on helping the Moth’hari defend against haegaroi.”
    She desperately wished she hadn’t allowed Elena to put so much of her hair up that morning, as she was sure her ears were an unflattering shade of crimson. Nothing rattled her mother so much as a reminder of how she badgered her father into sending troops to the elves, mostly because of how unorthodox Arden was in that undertaking, but also how unfeminine her mother considered it. “I… Yes, Your Highness. Although my father could probably speak on that issue better than I could. It wasn’t without risk, but the rewards have been bountiful.”
    “Are you always so involved in such matters?”
    She weighed her answer carefully. If she appeared too aggressive, he might find it off-putting, but too meek and he’d think her