He held onto her hands, and the shivers started gently. She pulled her hands away and smiled. “I do appreciate the beauty. Very much.”
But his face showed his disappointment at her pulling away. She had to fix this.
She leaned up onto her tippy toes and kissed his cheek. She felt nothing—none of the love and excitement she’d felt the night before with Ben. “Thank you for showing me,” she said to hide her feelings.
But the brief touch between them seemed to raise her strange powers to life. She shivered, but tried to play it off. “Can you feel the sea spray?”
“Are you cold?”
“My sweater is helping nicely.”
He frowned but nodded. “Let’s keep going then.”
She had managed to ruin the nice atmosphere they had going. Now they were back to awkward. She sighed as they moved on.
Roland showed her the area where she might start her gardens, which was small, but he promised she could do with it as she wished. At last they made their way to the beach she had seen from the top of the hill.
“When it’s particularly hot,” Roland said, “this beach makes a perfect reprieve.”
The waves were gentler here. They lapped at the shore instead of crashing into it. “It’s lovely.”
You are lovely.
Roanna tensed, but Roland seemed none the wiser. How had she done it? She hadn’t heard his thoughts since that day at the Edge River. Hadn’t seen his aura since the engagement ball.
“Do you swim here often?” It was a dumb question, but she had to say something lest he see she was upset.
He smiled. “No, almost never.” He moved closer and took her hand. “But I’d be happy to change that once we’re married.”
Nerves shot through her at the idea. “We’d better get back. It must be nearing supper.”
He nodded, but he seemed tenser than before. Unhappy, even.
Roanna excused herself to her room once back inside. She readied for the meal then made her way to the dining room. Mother and Queen Katherine waited for her, and Roland smiled as she entered. Roanna took the chair to his right, and Katherine sat directly across from her. Mother was at her other side.
The distance she had felt earlier from Roland was gone, and Roanna tried her best to enjoy the evening. Mother and Katherine kept it lively, and Roanna was grateful for their help. Perhaps sticking close to them would be the way to make it through these next few days unscathed.
30
Roland’s distant attitude returned the next day. He touched her rarely, which suited Roanna just fine. Except she wondered what had set him off. Had she offended him by being too standoffish? What if he grew so frustrated with her that he called off the wedding?
That wouldn’t be so terrible, unless it caused the peace treaty to fall through. But how could Dawson’s Edge cancel out the peace treaty if they were the ones who broke it?
Roanna explored Santa Rio on her own throughout the day. Katherine had returned to the main palace to attend Ben’s ball, and throughout the day, Mother joined her in exploring. The power of the ocean drew her, and she spent much of the time outside.
The future garden area was small, but she could expand it. Plant roses, marigolds, and maybe even poppies. She loved poppies.
No matter how she tried to occupy her thoughts with other things, her mind kept returning to the ball being held at Dawson’s Edge that very night. Ben would be dancing with lots of girls. Girls who wanted to marry him, and would be allowed to do so.
She considered Santa Rio. This could be hers. Would be hers. The home was as beautiful as she had ever imagined. Was it really so terrible?
Roland was handsome and powerful. He could be kind, albeit too complimentary.
Perhaps it was time to put forth more effort toward her betrothed.
Making the decision to be proactive, she hurried into the house. Roland would likely be in his office, working on relations between various countries. She rushed up the staircase, but as she reached the third floor, she slowed. She’d spent little time with Roland, overall. What if they had nothing in common? What if they held none of the same core values? Did she want to be married to someone who believed so differently than she did?
But maybe he held her same beliefs. He agreed with her on Termination. There were no orphanages full of the Rejected here in Dawson’s Edge. That meant more to her now than ever.
She swallowed her nerves and moved forward.
A door clicked open to her right. “Roanna?” Roland seemed surprised to find her there.
Heat filled her cheeks, and she knew she couldn’t turn back. “I was coming to find you.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh?”
Now even her neck burned with embarrassment. “I was in the gardens thinking of you. I just thought I’d say hello.”
The frosty attitude he’d worn for the last day thawed a bit. “Come into my office.”
She followed him inside. It was a large, airy room, with a wall of windows facing the ocean. “What a view!” she gasped.
He smiled and closed the door behind her. “Why do you think I chose this for my office?”
She sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. “It’s as lovely as everything else in Santa Rio.”
He nodded and sat in the chair beside her. “You’re enjoying it then?”
“Yes, very much.” It was partly true. She gripped her hands together and barreled ahead. “I noticed you have no prayer chapel.”
His eyebrows raised, but he nodded slowly. “I don’t hold much to religion.”
“I understand. However, I like to pray. Could—” She took a deep breath. “Could we build one?”
The rest of his cold visage melted away, and he took her hand. “If that will make you all the happier, I would be glad to do it.”
She managed a smile. “Thank you. I would appreciate it very much.”
He smiled, and she forced herself to stay put. They sat holding hands for another moment when Roland leaned forward and kissed her on the mouth. His kiss was gentle, and Roanna didn’t shove him away.
But she couldn’t hide the shiver that coursed through her.
Roland pulled back. His nostrils flared, and his eyes burned with—what? Irritation? Disappointment? Disbelief?
She forced out a shaky smile. “Perhaps I’m catching a bit of a cold.”
He watched her. Evaluated her? He didn’t believe her. Maybe he could see how his touch didn’t turn her to putty in his hands. Or maybe he was noticing how she shivered every time he was near.
He leaned away from her. “You should rest until supper.” His words were gentle.
Guilt jabbed her. She was toying with Roland’s emotions. Whether she wanted to marry him or Ben, she had agreed to this marriage. She couldn’t be cold toward him.
“I think I will.” She stood and moved toward the door. “Thank you for seeing me.”
He gripped her hand to stop her, and he stepped close to her. Much too close. “You never need to thank me for that, Roanna. I want to marry you. I want to see you always.”
The guilt hit again, and she nodded quickly. “I’ll see you at supper.”
She hurried to her room but couldn’t stop the shivering. Bette helped her into something more comfortable to rest in, and she climbed under the blankets and buried herself in the softness of her bed.
Roland had kissed her. It wasn’t wonderful, but it wasn’t horrible either. Her stomach rolled, and she pressed her eyes shut. How could she endure more than his simple kisses? And what of Ben? Who was he dancing with? Talking to? Romancing?
Tomorrow they would return to the palace at Dawson’s Edge, and soon after that they would return to Chester’s Wake. Then she would have time to gather her wits and come to terms with her fate. She would marry Roland Dawson, and she wouldn’t turn him away.
31
The next morning, thunder woke Roanna. She glanced at the clock. Nearly seven, though still dark because of the storm blo
wing outside. They were to leave this morning to return to King Dawson and Queen Katherine’s palace.
Roanna climbed from her bed. Bette hadn’t come in yet, so she showered and began readying for the day. She had already chosen a travel dress and shoes, and sat down for her hair, when Bette slipped into the room. Her hair was askew, and her eyes were red rimmed.
Roanna frowned and went to her. “What’s wrong, Bette?”
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance.
“Bette,” Roanna prodded. “What happened? Is there bad news?”
Bette glanced behind her at the door then shook her head. “No, Miss.” But tears pooled in her eyes.
Roanna grabbed Bette’s hands and pulled her to sit on the bed. “Tell me what’s happened. Is it your brother?”
Bette shook her head. “I can’t say, Miss.”
“You must say, Bette. You can tell me!” Panic filled Roanna. If Bette wasn’t willing to share what was happening, it must be something bad.
Bette took a shuddering breath. “It’s Ambassador Roland.”
Roanna gasped. Had Roland taken advantage of Bette?
But Bette shook her head. “Nothing like what you’re thinking, Miss.” She sniffed. “He cornered me. Asked me all sorts of questions about you and your family, and he threatened me.”
“What sorts of questions and threats?” It didn’t make any sense.
“He asked about your parents, and you. I don’t understand what he was trying to dig out of me. I don’t know any state secrets.” She sniffed again.
Roanna huffed and leaned against the foot board. “Roland pressed you for family secrets? How strange.”
If Roland was pressing for secrets about her family, it must mean he wanted something from them. When they’d been at Edge River, King Dawson had thought of quelling a rebellion. Perhaps Roland’s actions had something to do with that plan.
Trepidation filled her. She could warn Father when they returned to the main palace, but what if she were wrong? If they started accusing Dawson’s Edge of wrong doing and then found out they were mistaken, they would lose the Dawson family’s trust and their peace treaty.
Then a different trepidation filled her. “You said he threatened you?”
Bette nodded and wiped at her tears. “He said he knew who my family was. Called them by name and town. He said he would kill them if I told.” She gripped Roanna’s hands. “I can trust you, can’t I, Miss? You said I could lean on you.”
Roanna nodded. “You did the right thing. You can definitely lean on me, and I will get to the bottom of this without bringing you into it. I can also have Gregory check on your family.”
Relief filled Bette’s face, and she stood. “Thank you, Miss. That would mean so much to me.”
“Of course.”
“Let’s pack, shall we?” Bette put on a brave smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Roanna joined her at the closet and began pulling clothes out, but a moment later there was a knock at the door.
Roanna waved Bette away and answered it herself. Mother breezed into the room. “What a gloomy day to travel.”
Thunder rumbled again, and Roanna nodded. “It’s certainly gloomy.”
“We’ll be having breakfast in a half hour then leaving for the main palace.”
“I’m not very hungry this morning, Mother.”
“Well, you can eat like a bird then. But we must see Roland before we go, don’t you agree?”
“Roland isn’t coming with us?”
“No.” Mother moved back toward the hallway. “I suppose he has much to do, and it won’t matter since we will be leaving for home by tomorrow.”
Home sounded so good. “I’ll be ready in a moment.” Mother left, and she moved back to Bette’s side and helped her a few minutes more before taking Bette’s hand. “Are you calm now?”
Bette took a shaky breath. “I’m much better now, Miss. You go ahead.”
Roanna gave her hand another squeeze and smiled. “We’ll be home soon.”
She joined Mother, and they headed to breakfast.
Roland stood from his seat at the table when they entered. “Good morning, ladies.” He bowed slightly.
Roanna worked to keep a calm smile on her face. No reason to give him the impression she had spoken to Bette. “Good morning. I heard you won’t be joining us for the return to the main palace.” She moved to his side and kissed his cheek as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He seemed pleased with the kiss, but he watched her closely afterward. She squirmed under his gaze and quickly took a seat.
“Unfortunately, I have much work to do here before the wedding. But I will see you again soon.”
Roanna nodded. “I understand.”
He gave her a tight smile and resumed his seat.
“I hope we will be safe,” Mother said as she sat. “It’s pouring buckets out there.”
“You’ll be quite safe,” Roland said with a more natural smile.
They ate in comfortable silence with small talk between bites. The small talk was held mostly between Roland and Mother. He kept looking at Roanna, as if he were gauging her reaction to things he said.
She always gave him a small smile and hoped that would satisfy him. A few of his thoughts made it her way, but she was careful to keep her face neutral and her mind clear. She’d been thinking on her anomaly, and what it meant. She had even considered that Roland and King Dawson knew when the other one was speaking to each other’s minds.
She wondered if he could hear her thoughts as well. Unlikely, but she determined to keep her mind blank. Roland mustn’t suspect she could hear the things his mind thought. If she thought of nothing, it would help her keep her secret intact.
What’s your favorite flower, Roanna? he thought once when Mother talked about flowers for the wedding.
Another time Mother mentioned taking a honeymoon trip and Roland thought have you been across the ocean?
They were questions any suitor would ask a future spouse. But why had he never actually asked her these things? After all, they’d spent the entire first day at Santa Rio together. He had said he would see her soon, though, so perhaps he would ask her then.
After breakfast, Roland accompanied them to the small train depot that would whisk them back toward the main palace. Mother kissed him on the cheek and bid him farewell, but Roanna hung back. She needed to mend this relationship that had somehow become broken. Having a moment alone with him might also allow her to gauge what was happening in his head, in regards to Bette’s claims.
“I enjoyed our stay very much.” She stood close to him, smiling up at him.
He returned her smile but didn’t take her hand. “I’m glad to hear it, Roanna. We’ll be very happy here.”
But still he made no move toward her. It wasn’t like him, who had taken her hand or offered his arm at every meeting.
The train whistle blew, and Roanna allowed her confusion to show. “I suppose I’ll see you soon, then.”
He kept her eye a moment longer, a slight frown on his face. But then he nodded once, took her hand, and kissed it. “Until then, Roanna.”
She gave him the sincerest smile she could muster, and nodded. “Until then.” She hurried onto the train and sighed in relief as they pulled away.
32
They rode for over an hour in the pouring rain. Wind blew the trees along the track until the trees bent sideways and the railcar shook. Mother frowned and gripped Roanna’s hand. “Is this safe?” she muttered.
Roanna glanced out the window. Chester’s Wake was small, with no rail system between the villages. She wasn’t sure what was safe and what wasn’t.
Only a moment passed when the door to their railcar opened, and a conductor stepped through. “We’ve just received word that the tracks ahead have been flooded. We’re stopping at Lady Gretchen Dawson Ferguson’s depot to ride out the storm and wait for the flooding to dissipate.”
Roanna looked to Mother, frown
ing.
“Lady Gretchen is the king’s sister,” the conductor assured them. “We have already been in contact with her, and she welcomes you.”
Mother nodded her agreement, but she gripped Roanna’s hand more tightly. They were foreign royals trapped in a neighboring country. Not the most ideal situation.
Another half hour passed when the train rounded a bend. A modest estate rose in the distance. It wasn’t as grand as Roland’s home, but it was a quaint plantation home with acres of treed land surrounding it. The rain continued as they reached the station and pulled under the overhang. A servant greeted them and led them under a covered walk to the main house.
Once inside, an older woman met them. Her shoulders were hunched with age, and her gray hair was pinned into a thin bun. She introduced herself as Lady Gretchen Ferguson, sister to the king.
Roanna curtsied and thanked her for sharing her home.
“This cursed storm has been going since early this morning,” Lady Gretchen said. “It’s a big one. I see it lasting all night.” She led them slowly to a sitting room to the right of the entrance. It was a small, cramped room, lit with gas lamps and candles. The house felt old. Antiquated. Dark.
“Surely it will pass soon,” Mother said in a friendly voice.
“I am old, in case you haven’t noticed.” Lady Gretchen smiled. “I can feel a storm in my bones days before it hits. And this one has been brewing for a week. As I said, it’s a big one.” She called for tea, and a servant brought it a few moments later.
Roanna drank the hot liquid gratefully. She had a chill she couldn’t shake. It could be from the rain, or maybe it was just her hair again. It might also be remnants from being with Roland…or perhaps there was something about the Dawson family itself, of which Lady Gretchen was a part. More pieces to the puzzle, and something she might explore later.
Lady Gretchen told them about her family, and how long they’d been at her estate. She had three grown children and two grandchildren. She laughed often and had a witty tongue, and she had Mother and Roanna laughing frequently.
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