Chapter 59

I stuck closeto Talia as we walked the halls to our wing. Sig was in the lead as he barked orders to the staff members that he passed. I kept my gaze on the floor and didn't look around.

We ended up in Bredon's rooms. Which now, I would share.

"Do you wish to oversee the unpacking?" Mrs. Cormer asked as two footmen carried our meager luggage.

"I can do it." I dropped my purse on the sofa and led the way to Bredon's bedroom.

The housekeeper watched the footmen place the bags on the large bed. "I can send one or two girls to assist."

"Thank you, but I can do it." I was pleased to stay busy while we waited for Bredon's return.

"As you wish, ma'am." She dipped her chin and left me to my task.

It did not take long to unpack. When I finished, I rejoined Sig in the sitting room.

He was on a call, speaking in an unfamiliar language.

I moved my purse to the small table by the door and sat down.

Soon, Talia rejoined us. She leaned close to whisper, "Who is he talking to?"

I shrugged.

She listened closely. "It's his banker."

I hoped the male did not think I was intruding on what I could only assume was a private call. "I don't recognize the language."

"Swiss German," she mumbled. "He has an ear for languages. I'm fluent in a few, but he and Bredon can converse in many."

I filed that away under more amazing things that Bredon could do.

"Relax," she said quietly. "You are wound so tight that I fear you might shatter."

I realized that I was clenching my jaw so firmly that the muscles at the hinges hurt. "I guess I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall."

Talia looked around. "From where?"

"Sorry." I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "It means that I am waiting to see what happens next."

"If Anton were going to kill us, he would have done so far away from here." She glanced toward Sig, who nodded in agreement. "Too many witnesses."

Weirdly, I felt a little lighter.

Mrs. Cormer returned. "The menu for the evening meal." She handed me a sheet of paper.

Talia leaned toward me. "You need to give your approval. As Bredon's mate, you now have household duties." Talia grinned, clearly pleased that this responsibility fell upon me.

"Mrs. Cormer." I glanced at the female over the top of the menu. "Bredon is very pleased with your decisions. I hope sharing some of your knowledge with me won't be too much of a burden."

"I will be happy to do so, ma'am." The housekeeper's stern expression softened.

I studied the menu. "Are any of these dishes favored by Bredon?"

She took the menu from me. "Mr. Bredon is a fan of beef. That is why I suggest we have steak tonight to celebrate your return."

"That sounds lovely." Dear God, I was channeling dialog from some old black-and-white movie.

"I think a cobbler will go nicely," the housekeeper continued.

"I love cobbler," I shared.

"We will add ice cream, too," Mrs. Cormer said, her lips crimped as though holding back a smile. Then she left.

"You did that very well," Talia complimented.

"I have no idea what I'm doing," I admitted. "Who made these decisions before?"

Talia relaxed against the back of the sofa. "She tried to recruit me, but she grew tired of me because I approved the menu without looking at it."

"I don't think that I can get away from that." I smiled at her.

"She is a bit of a beast. She loved that you asked for her input."

"Are there other duties I will have to deal with?"

Talia rolled her gaze to the ceiling. "I suppose I shall have to plan the reception to honor your mating."

"Wait," my voice raised an octave. "What?" I sent Sig an apologetic look because I knew my words were loud.

"That is assuming that Anton chooses not to." Talia let out a loud sigh. "One never knows what he will decide."

"I thought we assumed he wouldn't approve our mating?" I felt like I was constantly behind in gathering information.

"He will not initially, but eventually, he will have to recognize it."

Bredon entered the room.

I let out a relieved breath.

He looked much like he had when he'd separated from us earlier. "What have I missed?" He walked to me and kissed my cheek.

"Mrs. Cormer wasted no time meeting with Sage about her new duties," Talia told him.

"We are having beef and cobbler." I tried to act like this added duty was not a big deal.

"She missed us." He grinned. "She only offers cobbler when she is pleased."

Sig ended his call. "How was Anton?"

"As you would expect." Bredon did not elaborate.

"Your meeting was short," Sig said, his gaze sharpening.

"Tomorrow's will be long." Bredon sat beside me. "He'll want to go over everything that was communicated during our absence by the Council, other Pack business, and what Luis shared about our stay on his land."

I remained silent because I didn't sense that he was hiding anything from me. If there were something I needed to know, Bredon would tell me.