“Lord?” He didn’t reply, and she smiled slowly. “Lord Chaol Westfall.” She fanned herself with a hand. “How the court ladies must fawn over you!”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not given the title of lord,” he said quietly.
“You have an older brother?”
“No.”
“Then why don’t you bear the title?” Again, no response. She knew she should stop prying, but she couldn’t help it. “A scandal? A deprived birthright? In what sort of messy intrigue are you involved?”
His lips squeezed together so tightly they turned white.
She leaned toward him. “Do you find that—”
“Shall I gag you, or are you capable of being silent without my assistance?” He stared ahead at the Crown Lords, his face blank again.
She tried not to laugh when he grimaced as she began speaking again. “Are you married?”
“No.”
She pic
