The Princess's Knight Complex

Chapter 3: The Family Table

I went to dinner at the Vale house because Tessa asked me, and because I wanted to see how Graham behaved when he wasn't standing in my doorway with coffee.

The house sat on a bluff above the harbor, a stone-and-glass mansion built by a shipping magnate who had apparently believed that every room needed a view of the water. I parked behind Tessa's silver sedan and walked up the front steps with a bottle of wine.

Tessa opened the door before I knocked.

"I knew you'd come."

"You told me it was a small dinner."

"It is."

"How many people?"

"Eight."

"That is not small."

"It's small by Vale standards."

She hugged me, careful of my coat. "Graham's coming."

"I assumed."

"I didn't invite him for you."

"Sure."

"I invited him because Adrian's mother asked. You two can decide for yourselves whether anything happens."

"I don't have to decide anything."

Tessa's smile softened. "I know."

Dinner was in a room with tall windows and a table that could have seated twenty. Adrian's parents sat at one end. His older brother, Miles, sat opposite me. Graham arrived late, apologized to the room, and took the seat beside mine.

"I didn't know you'd be here," he said.

"That's what Tessa said."

He glanced at her. "She lies when she's trying to be kind."

"Only when I have to."

The conversation turned quickly to the redevelopment plan. Miles mentioned the waterfront parcels, and Graham asked what I knew about Harbor House. I didn't appreciate being discussed at the table, but I answered.

"We've been in the building for twelve years," I said. "We run classes for about two hundred students a month. Most are kids from the east side."

"And your lease is up?" Miles asked.

"Not yet. The renewal is being reviewed."

"That site is part of the new harbor plan," he said. "It makes sense to consolidate the older buildings."

"Consolidate them into what?"

"Retail and office space. The city wants better use of the waterfront."

"Better for whom?"

Miles smiled, but his eyes stayed flat. "For the city."

I set down my fork. "The city already uses the building. It's a community studio."

"That doesn't mean it has to stay there."

"It means the people who use it should have a say."

Graham leaned back. "She asked for the plans, Miles."

"And I hope she gets them," Miles said. "It would be a shame if the process felt rushed."

The words were polite. The implication was not.

I looked at Graham. "Do you know anything about this plan?"

"I know the foundation has been asked to review several proposed uses for the waterfront."

"Are you reviewing Harbor House?"

"Not yet."

"Would you?"

"I'd recuse myself if the foundation had a direct role."

That answer was quick enough to sound practiced.

After dinner, Tessa took me into the kitchen to help carry dessert. I set two plates on the counter.

"Does he always sound like he's in a meeting?" I asked.

"Who, Graham?"

"Yes."

"Only when he's uncomfortable."

"He's a foundation director. He should be comfortable in meetings."

"Not family ones."

I gave her a look. "You're trying to help."

"I am."

"I can handle myself."

"I know you can."

Tessa leaned on the counter. She looked more tired than she had at the wedding. "The Vales are very good at turning favors into obligations. I wanted you to meet Graham because I think you'd like him. Not because he can fix your lease."

"Does he know that?"

"I told him."

"He hasn't offered to fix anything."

"Then maybe he's better at listening than you expect."

I carried the plates back to the dining room. Graham was standing beside the window, alone. I stopped beside him.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on with the redevelopment plan?"

"I don't know enough to tell you anything useful."

"That's not the same as knowing nothing."

"No. It isn't."

He looked out at the dark water. "The foundation may be asked to fund a new cultural center as part of the plan. That doesn't mean we decide what happens to Harbor House."

"But it gives your family a reason to support the redevelopment."

"Yes."

"And what do you think?"

"I think the plan should be public before anyone starts making promises."

"That sounds reasonable."

"It also happens to be what I think."

I believed him, though I didn't know why.

He turned toward me. "I know you're capable of fighting your own battles."

"Good."

"I also know being capable doesn't mean you should have to do everything alone."

"That's the kind of thing people say when they want to be let in."

"Maybe I do."

His honesty caught me off guard. I glanced toward the dining room, where Tessa was laughing with Adrian.

"I don't know what I want from you," I said.

"You don't have to know tonight."

He walked me to my car after dessert. He didn't touch me. He didn't offer to call. He just waited while I unlocked the door.

As I drove down the bluff, I realized I was more unsettled by his patience than I would have been by a grand gesture.