At Earl Brandon's ball, Odys danced with Audrey across the floor.
But just as Audrey was getting into the conversation, the music ended. She and Odys exchanged small bows and left the dance floor together.
Odys then danced with two other ladies. His polished manners and wit left a deep impression on them.
After several dances, Odys returned to a corner, sipped his drink, and waited for Earl Brandon to approach him.
But by the time the ball ended after nine, no one had come to speak to him.
Odys thought little of it. After bidding Earl Brandon farewell, he went to the stables behind the house.
Earl Brandon's butler was already waiting beside Odys's carriage.
Odys paused. So Brandon didn't invite me for a business deal.
Otherwise, he would have raised the matter at the ball.
Leaving it until now meant he wanted help with something he could not discuss in public.
The butler politely led Odys to a reception room, where a servant soon brought tea and pastries.
After about twenty minutes, Earl Brandon entered in his finery, accompanied by a well-groomed man in his fifties with a mustache.
So he was the one watching me, Odys thought.
He rose and greeted the two nobles with a smile. Earl Brandon introduced his companion. "This is Earl Vincent, a good friend of mine."
"Hello." Odys greeted him but did not offer his hand.
Once the three had sat down, they exchanged pleasantries. The two earls asked about Odys's recent work and whether he had grown accustomed to the food in Backlund.
After a few minutes, Earl Brandon smiled at Vincent. "You can see he's a steady gentleman. I've also told you what happened to me."
He leaned back in his chair, as though leaving it to his friend to