Paradise Plagued

by Sarah E. Burr

  Abra’s haughty eyes narrowed as she looked from her daughter to Jax. “Samira, you should know better. Lady Victoire, we’re here to make your stay as pleasurable as can be. You shouldn’t have to lift a finger if you desire something.”

  Jax held up her hands. “Oh, Samira reassured me she would bring it to my room, but I insisted on collecting it myself, in the hopes I could see all the different blends she has on hand. I am quite the connoisseur of teas, and once my curiosity is piqued, I can’t be satisfied.” She lied with effortless grace, hoping she could spare Samira another tongue-lashing for coming to her rescue.

  “If you insist.”

  Jax held back a shudder. There was no warmth in Abra’s tone, and her grin was similar to that of a viper.

  “I’ll leave you to it.” Abra tipped her head toward Jax before spinning on a sandaled heel and marching away.

  Samira released a long sigh once her mother had disappeared. “Thank you.”

  “It’s I who should be thanking you.” Jax smiled and rested a comforting hand on the trembling woman’s forearm. “What quick thinking,” she said softly. “Are you all right? I…I overheard a bit.”

  Samira brushed back her silky hair, not making eye contact. “It’s nothing.”

  “It didn’t sound like nothing.”

  “What were you doing down here, anyway?” Samira’s expression became wary.

  Jax chuckled lightly. “I suppose that’s a very valid question. I was hoping to get a pitcher of iced tea from the kitchen when I heard raised voices from this room. I came to investigate.”

  Samira’s eyes dropped to the floor of the spacious linen closet, her cheeks the shade of glittering rubies. “I’m sorry you had to hear our little quarrel. I suppose Tarek’s presence has my mother on edge.”

  Jax thought back to the handsome man she’d run into earlier, wondering what he had been up to during lunch. “What is Tarek’s connection to your family? He told me he didn’t work here.” Her tone reflected how little she thought of him.

  “Tarek is my fiancé.”

  Jax struggled to keep her face from flinching with embarrassment. “I can see why you’re against the match.”

  Samira’s eyes glistened with sadness. “He views me as property, a piece of whatever deal he and his father have arranged with my family. The only time he speaks to me is when he’s asking me to fetch him something.”

  “What deal was arranged?” Remembering her conversation with Tarek earlier, she wondered what Earl Killiam would receive in exchange for his son’s hand in marriage. The Ogdams were of noble birth, yes, but Ferran held no official title other than Master of the Oasis estate.

  Samira bit her lip. “I really shouldn’t be troubling you with our family’s drama, Lady Victoire. I’m sure you’d rather be spending your vacation by the springs than hearing about my upcoming nuptials.” Pressing her hand against Jax’s shoulder, she led her out of the linen closet and back into the hallway.

  Jax wanted to protest, but thought better of it. She had been failing miserably at playing the part of a woman on a romantic getaway with her new husband. If she continued sticking her nose where it really didn’t belong, it was sure to draw unwanted attention to her behavior. “Of course. I’m just glad you’re all right.”

  “Shall I bring you and your husband some iced tea?” Samira was clearly ready to set aside her personal problems and focus on work.

  Jax nodded eagerly. “That would be lovely. I’m heading to the cold spring to meet him. I just need some time to change.” She motioned to her billowing gown.

  Samira bowed her head. “I shall bring a tray there.”

  Jax felt the young woman’s eyes burning into her back as she retreated. She couldn’t imagine Samira’s heartache. It frightened Jax to realize that if things had turned out differently, she very well could have found herself in the same situation. If Duke Pettraud had sent one of his other six sons instead of Perry, she would have been forced into a loveless marriage. How the Virtues had blessed her by guiding Perry into her life and her heart…

  “There you are.” Uma’s exasperated tone signaled her emergence from the shadows at the end of the hall. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  Jax queued a flippant remark, but then noticed the anxiety pooling in Uma’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to worry you, dear one. What’s wrong?”

  Uma wrapped her hand around Jax’s arm, quickly leading her up the sweeping stairs. She put a finger to her lips as they dashed down the hallway, stopping only to unlock one of the doors and usher Jax inside.

  The room was even more modest than the living quarters Jax and Perry currently occupied, but it was a comfortable haven nonetheless. Jax settled into one of the armchairs and waited for Uma to close the door.

  “What’s worrying you?” she asked, intrigued.

  Uma’s forehead wrinkled. “There’s something odd going on in this house, Jax.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her lady-in-waiting settled down in the seat adjacent to her. “That man who had the outburst and smashed the teacup. Hendrie and I overheard his sister trying to calm him down when we came inside after lunch.”

  “Did you hear anything specific?” Jax leaned in toward her friend.

  Uma gave a vigorous nod, her brown hair coming loose from its clasp. “Yes. She couldn’t understand why he was being such a stick-in-the-mud when he was the one who wanted to vacation at the Oasis in the first place. She then started complaining about their travel schedule, and how she wanted to stay here longer.”

  Jax sucked in a sharp breath. “Did he respond?”

  “Oh, did he ever. He started yelling she could never understand the pressures he faces at court, how much he deserves to have things go his way just this once, and that they couldn’t possibly change their plans now.”

  “This came from a grown man? Sounds more like a petulant child.” A bitter taste filtered through Jax’s mouth. “Between his actions at lunch and hearing this, I wonder what value Duchess Tandora sees in him.”

  Uma’s eyes widened. “If he works alongside the Duchess, do you think he’ll recognize you?”

  “I hope not, but to be honest I can’t be completely sure. I haven’t visited Delphinia’s palace in years, and she came to my wedding with only her High Courtier in tow. This man—Olavo, is it? I don’t recall ever seeing his face.”

  “What a relief.” Uma sat back in her seat, the tension visibly melting from her shoulders. “I wonder what pressures he was talking about? I certainly don’t see anyone in your confidence sniveling like he did.”

  Jax’s index finger tapped her chin as she toyed with an idea. “The question I’m more intrigued by is why a man of his entitled character would ever venture to the middle of the desert for a holiday? What are his true reasons for being here?”

  Chapter Eight

  “I know that look.” A sly smirk spread across Uma’s delicate features. “You haven’t even been here five hours and you’re already looking for a puzzle to solve.”

  Jax wanted to smile at the joke, but she felt a sudden wave of dread wash over her. “As much as I wish that were the case, dear one, I’m afraid my reasons are more serious than just passing fancies.”

  Uma’s bright eyes dimmed. “What do you mean?”

  Jax lowered her voice, despite their being alone in the suite. “I can’t help but wonder what would bring a Tandorian courtier to the deserts of Kwatalar. Tandora is on the other side of the continent with leagues of beautiful coastline. I highly doubt Sir Olavo is here purely for leisure, despite what his sister thinks.”

  “You think he was sent here on state business?”

  Jax nodded, her face grim. “Although, what it could exactly be about, I’m not sure. Kwatalar traditionally plays the political arena in a very isolationist manner.”

  “Could it be trade-related?”

  “What could Kwatalar possibly have to trade with Tandora? It’s a desert.”

  Uma pre
ssed her lips together in thought. “Well, wasn’t your grandfather recently outsourcing clay to build a conservatory?”

  “That was the deal he made with Zaltor,” Jax reminded her. “Besides, Tandora has plenty of natural resources. Even if the Duchess required something, I’m sure she’d reach out to someone closer to her own borders.” Her gaze trailed over to the large window overlooking the sprawling estate. “If anything, I’d guess she was after something intangible.”

  “You’d best be careful, Jax,” Uma cautioned. “If any member of the Tandorian court realizes you’re here, who knows what could happen.”

  Jax felt a twinge of unease slither down her spine. While Delphinia, Duchess of Tandora, had not openly pledged her support to the newfound alliance, it was no secret that she thought Beautraud and Savant were right to stand against Saphire’s plans to change the realm. “I’ll make sure to steer clear of Sir Olavo. With his temper, I won’t be sorry to miss out on his company.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Is there something else on your mind? After all, you wanted to speak with me before you overheard Olavo and his sister.”

  A sheepish grin spread across her friend’s face. “Well, originally, I wanted to ask your opinion about my portrayal of Lady Marsina. Do you think I was regal enough?”

  Jax laughed, surprised by the pleasant turn in conversation. “I think you did splendidly, my dear.”

  Uma wiped her brow in comic relief. “Thank the Virtues. I was worried I was overdoing things, but then Perry was just so…flamboyant.”

  Jax’s sides hurt, she was laughing so hard. “Y-yes, indeed. He did go a bit over the top, I’m afraid. I’ll make sure to tell him to take his cues from you from now on.”

  “I just wanted to make sure I was approaching the role correctly.” Uma sighed with obvious relief. “Well, I’ve kept you long enough. Hendrie, Vita, and I are planning to sit by the cold spring this afternoon, and I’m sure you have plans with Perry.” Her eyes sparkled with teasing mischief.

  Jax batted her arm. “Actually, I planned to head down to the spring myself just as soon as we finished our chat.” She stood up and made for the door. “I just need to change into my swimming gown, and I’ll be there.”

  “Do you need any assistance?” Uma asked. Even though she’d been Jax’s lady-in-waiting for over eight months, there were times when she slipped back into her lady’s maid role.

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll see you shortly.” Jax waved as she snapped the door shut. She stood for a moment in the dark hallway, surveying her surroundings. With the sun now beating down on the front of the villa, light no longer flooded the windows at the end of the passage. The staff had not yet lit the lamps, as it was still quite early in the afternoon, and the long shadows created a menacing effect. At least the air has cooled, Jax thought as she quickly walked to her suite door.

  The mysterious Sir Olavo occupied her mind so much she hadn’t realized the door was already unlocked until she went to turn her key. Odd. Maybe Vita was inside. Slowly, she pushed the door open, taking in the scene.

  The sitting room was empty and undisturbed. Their trunks sat stacked up in the corner, as Vita had put away their clothes in the large bureau in the bedroom while Jax was in the sauna.

  Clasping her key tightly in her hand, Jax closed the door behind her and walked around the small suite, her eyes carefully scanning everything in her path. “I guess we forgot to lock it,” she said aloud, cursing her carelessness.

  As she walked over the threshold into the bedroom, she immediately noticed what was different. Sitting on the maroon pillows of the canopy bed was a small, elegantly wrapped forest green box of chocolates.

  “Soveignet chocolates.” Jax’s eyes lit up as she read the swirling script embroidered into the ribbon.

  Enjoy your stay here at the Oasis!

  Monsieur Louis had mentioned he’d been contracted to deliver the sweets. What a lovely welcome gift the Ogdams presented to their guests. Whichever member of the staff had delivered it had likely been the one to forget to lock the door. Jax wondered if it would be worth mentioning to Abra about the oversight, but then decided she didn’t want to suffer the overbearing woman’s presence when there had been no harm done.

  Jax changed into her swimming gown and grabbed the chocolate box to bring to her friends. As much as she wanted to devour them on the spot, her waistline would thank her for showing restraint with the realm-renowned candies.

  ‡

  “I was beginning to think you’d deserted us!” Perry, clearly happy to see her, beamed at her from the water as she arrived at the cold spring pool. Most of his clothes sat heaped on a chair near the water’s edge.

  “Deserted?” Jax cringed as her husband’s muscular arms motioned to their sandy surroundings. “What an awful pun. Has the sun already baked your brain?”

  He responded by sending a chilly splash her way.

  Her squeal rang out across the expansive pool, a seemingly tropical lagoon with exotic plants and flowers blooming from dry dirt.

  Uma and Vita chuckled. Both women were stretched out, lounging on the outdoor furniture. Only Hendrie paid her no notice, a straw hat pulled down over his eyes as he slept in the chaise beside Uma.

  Jax looked at her friends and a slight frown appeared on her face. “Where’s George? He should be out here enjoying the sun with us.” She had been hoping for some time with Perry alone, but didn’t have it in her heart to ask her friends to relocate. George might as well join them.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t run into him on your way out here. He went back to the villa with Samira just a few minutes before you arrived. He was interested in her teas.” Perry’s wiggling eyebrows told Jax that the Captain of the Saphire Ducal Guard might be more interested in just tea.

  An inexplicable twinge occurred in Jax’s stomach as she summoned a reply. “Well, I’m glad to know he’s having fun.”

  “That doesn’t seem to be the case for some of the other guests roaming around.” Vita crossed her arms as her expression soured. “One of those boorish men asked me to launder his clothes. He wanted fresh clothes before his departure in a few days. He nearly bit my head off when I told him I was not a staff member.”

  Jax stretched out on the chaise beside Vita, basking in the shade from a nearby palm tree. “Was it one of the guests we met at lunch?”

  “Yes. It was the merchant, which surprised me. He seemed so civil.”

  Jax’s mind danced back to Monsieur Louis. “Perhaps he’s just anxious to get back home now that his contract has been fulfilled. He did say he was late in delivering it to begin with. Which reminds me…” she paused, lifting up the small box of chocolates for her companions to see, “I brought treats.”

  Perry placed a hand over his bare stomach as he stood in the water in nothing but his dripping knee-length trousers. “I ate so much already.”

  “Unlike you, my appetite isn’t endless,” Uma said as she waved the box away from her face.

  Neither Vita or a sleeping Hendrie took her up on her offer, either. “You all are no fun. They’ll melt out in the sun if you don’t help me eat them.” Jax frowned.

  “What a waste that would be.”

  Jax stiffened as she turned to see Tarek Killiam approaching from behind, his snide tone reaching her ears. After the run-in they’d had earlier and learning about his unkind treatment of Samira, she reminded herself to be on her best behavior. She didn’t want to make trouble for anyone.

  Perry hoisted himself from the depths of the pool and took a towel to dry off. Extending his hand to Tarek, he smiled and said, “I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Lord Arthur Rapaste.”

  Tarek shook Perry’s outstretched hand, his golden eyes sizing up Perry’s muscular build. “Greetings. I am Lord Tarek.”

  Jax noted that he hadn’t used his title when he introduced himself to her. It likely had something to do with the warring egos on display.

  “My father is Earl Killiam of Kwatalar.” Tarek’s chest visibly
swelled with confidence as he made the introduction.

  Jax smirked at the annoyance in Perry’s eyes. “How nice,” her husband offered. “What brings you to this little slice of paradise?”

  “Just wrapping up some personal business.” Tarek clasped his hands behind his back as he surveyed Jax, Uma, and Vita, all staring at him from their chairs. “Be glad you made your visit when you did, Lord Rapaste. Ogdam Oasis will not be receiving visitors much longer.”

  Jax stood up, planting herself next to Perry. “Virtues, what do you mean, Lord Tarek? My friends and I are having such a grand time here.” The villa had been a retreat for hundreds of years, and the thought of such a historic place closing to the public disturbed her.

  Tarek’s snort was the only indication that he heard her speak. To Perry, he gave a mere shrug of his shoulders. “It’s amazing this place has lasted as long as it has.” His wandering gaze trailed to the box of chocolates on a table by Jax’s chair. “Why don’t I take those inside? You wouldn’t want them to melt before your wife enjoys them, do you?” He reached for the confections, scooping them up without waiting for a reply.

  She forced her expression to remain impassive, but inside she was fuming. He’s acting like I’m not a foot away from him.

  Perry wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his dripping frame. “That would be nice. I’ll make sure to pass along my compliments to Master Ferran that the staff here really go above and beyond to take care of their guests.”

  The color drained from Tarek’s olive face, and his fingers clenched around the Soveignet chocolate box. “I am not a member of the staff.”

  “Oh, silly me. That’s right, you’re the son of an Earl.” Perry tossed his towel onto a nearby chair and sauntered back to the pool without another word.

  Tarek thrust a burning glare at Jax before he huffed away, marching back toward the villa.

  She managed to contain her laughter until he was out of earshot. Turning to her husband, who grinned up at her from the depths of the cool water, she wagged her finger in feign reprimand. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you be so rude!”