It looked like Naida already believed him when he told her the rumors hadn’t been true, and for that, Crow was glad. He was too tired to argue with her about something as ridiculous as the drama Elizabeth had started. Leaning heavily on his arm, he stifled a yawn and glanced toward the door that led to the kitchen. He hoped the food wouldn’t take much longer to arrive. As much as he liked spending time with Penelope and his sister, he was feeling tempted to pass out at the table.

Almost as if on cue, he spotted Preston and two other servants approaching with their food. He could already feel his mouth begin to water at the enticing smell of cooked meat and vegetables, and he sat up straight when the three set down their plates on the table. As soon as the servants left them alone again, he dug into his meal, eager to fill his empty stomach while the noblewomen talked.

At Naida’s remark about courting, Crow snorted. “I don’t think avoiding someone is the right reason to court a woman,” he replied flippantly, taking a bite of baked potato. Despite his words, he hoped she was right. If Elizabeth continued to pester him after he and Penelope announced their relationship, it was going to be frustrating. He just wanted her to give up on whatever manipulative game she was playing and go back to Colchester. Maybe if she realized she didn’t have a chance to win him over, she would finally quit.

When Penelope changed the subject, he glanced up at her from his plate and then looked away again. He still hadn’t made very much progress on his end, since he didn’t know many people in the castle. It was hard to find opportunities to invite other nobles when many of them wouldn’t even look him in the eye.

“I’ve got plenty of friends to invite,” Naida grinned. “Most are knights from the castle barracks, but I know a lot of high-ranking nobles too. A few of them are pretty close to father, so their opinions would carry a lot of weight if you can convince them. I can make a list of all their names tonight, if you want.” She glanced expectantly at Crow. “What about you?”

The viceroy shuffled his feet beneath the table. “I mentioned the party to two people so far,” he admitted sheepishly. “I don’t know how many I’ll be able to talk to before it happens though. Maybe six or seven? I’m planning to tell them all that their families are welcome though... I might get a couple barons and dukes that way.”