Eli stopped me before we entered the room.
"My lord."
I paused, glancing down briefly as Eli adjusted the sleeve of my coat with quiet precision. The movement was familiar by now, practiced to the point of invisibility, but there was something more deliberate in it today.
"You'll be meeting Lord Darren and his son," Eli continued, his tone low enough to remain private. "They arrived earlier this morning. The Duke has agreed to receive them informally."
I let out a soft breath through my nose. "Informally," i repeated, as if testing the word.
"Yes, my lord."
Eli's fingers stilled for a moment before smoothing the fabric one last time. "It would be best to maintain a certain… composure."
I looked at him then, really looked, noting the careful neutrality in his expression.
"You mean behave properly."
Eli did not smile. "I mean behave in a way that will not be questioned."
There it was. Clear and direct.
I held his gaze for a second longer than necessary, then nodded once.
