“It is granted—a year, if you wish.”
The Duke laughed softly, almost mockingly, indeed.
“I fear I may not stay quite so long,” he answered, “much as it would please me to oblige you. My presence will be necessary in a certain ceremony in the Cathedral, that is fixed for a few weeks short of a year.”
The Regent’s eyes narrowed. “In the crypt, you mean?—your absence will, at least, postpone the ceremony—had you remained, I imagine it would have occurred much earlier.”
Even Lotzen’s calmness was disturbed by such a threat from a woman—and, momentarily, his color heightened and his eyes snapped in irritated surprise. Then he bowed.
“I am glad to have been shown the claws so early,” he replied with sneering sarcasm; “I shall endeavor to keep beyond their reach. But I shall do my best to furnish the crypt another tenant, though I will not promise to put my Court in mourning for him.”
The Princess shrugged her shapely shoulders.
“It is quite unnecessary to tell us what your barbaric nature told us long ago,” she replied. “When do you wish to depart?”
“Within the week.”
“And for where?”