Chapter 4: The Wrong Cure

Ysmerelle took the handbag from the ledge and held it open.

Caerovan looked from the bag to his sister.

"He can come in," he said.

Orivelle didn't move.

"Tell him," she answered.

The duke put a foreclaw on the sill.

It was a long distance to the floor when nobody had agreed to carry him.

"May I?" he asked Ysmerelle.

She lifted the bag until he could step into it.

He left the embroidered cuffs behind.

Odrienne picked them up with the expression of someone collecting evidence against an unsuitable hostess.

The entrance hall was quieter than the ballroom.

Thalvian stood beside the outer door with his gloves in his hands.

He looked at the bag without smiling.

Ysmerelle was grateful for that before she knew why.

"You may enter," Caerovan said.

"Will you order me out again?" Thalvian asked.

The dragon's claws tightened on the leather.

"Not tonight."

"I didn't ask about tonight."

Orivelle looked at her brother.

Ysmerelle could feel the bag become very still against her wrist.

She had agreed to introduce visitors, not make this answer for him.

"I won't compel you to attend," he said at last.

Thalvian put on his gloves.

"Then enjoy your evening."

He bowed to the two women and went out.

Caerovan watched the closed door for longer than the courtesy required.

His sister remained beside him.

"You could let him visit me without visiting you," she said.

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Duke Became a Dragon, So I Took Him to the Ball from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.