Page 10 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“No?”
“No. I do not wish to marry right now. I must find a place of residence. I have enough money to rent a flat, surely.” She was grasping, as if the mere suggestion of something ridiculous might bring them a solution.
“In London?”
“Wherever one goes to live as a single person.”
He puffed out a quick breath. “I did have the thought to mention London, but I do not believe women go to live as single persons alone. It isn’t done.”
“I suppose you are correct. I don’t particularly care for London, but if I cannot take up residence somewhere alone, I suppose it is as good a place as any to find a suitable match.”
“I have friends there, a duke and duchess. Perhaps we could impose upon them until we make a firm decision.”
She seemed to consider him. “And Oldenburg?”
“My father would prefer you to join me there.”
“But you find that a less preferable option?”
“Father is most inclined that I fill that role, and he would provide ample pressure were we to arrive unmarried, but, Miss Davies, I have five other brothers who might also do the trick, so to speak. I could send word ahead for my ship to meet us in London and take us to Oldenburg from there, if you so desire. I only hoped that perhaps we might find an agreeable solution before we leave your shores.”
“Excellent. So we do our best in England and then off to Oldenburg if we must.” She turned from him. “Let us go, then.”
He waited in the doorway, wondering just who was going to be making the decisions from here on out.
She glanced at him over her shoulder, and the raised eyebrow and slight quirk of her mouth told him exactly who.
But he followed dutifully behind. At least the plan was moving in the direction he’d hoped. London would surely provide enough diversion, and perhaps a suitor or two, to satisfy the bold Miss Davies.
Chapter Three
Rhianna stood with Firestorm andsaid her final goodbyes to a short-lived, uncomfortable abode and then braced herself for their departure from her homeland. Firestorm reacted to her mood, stamping her feet and jerking her head up. Rhi stroked her and murmured to her with a calming voice.
Prince Marc stood at the open carriage door, presumably waiting for her to enter. “She’ll be all right once we’re on our way—just needs to get some energy out.”
“Which is why I plan to ride, at least while the weather holds.” Rhi untied Firestorm. “There, now, girl. We’re going to take good care of you.” She stroked the chestnut mare’s soft nose. The responding nicker brought a warmth that spread through her, chasing away some of the tendrils of fear that were entwining their way into her stomach. She grabbed hold of the reins and a handful of Firestorm’s mane as she rocked backward, ready to swing up high and into the saddle, but Prince Marc was immediately at her side.
“You cannot ride outside unaccompanied.”
She laughed. “Do you call this unaccompanied?” She gestured around them at the two full carriages and a literal army of servants—his and those who had defected and joined her. She could only hope that no matter where she chose to go, the Wilhelms would care for her servants. Perhaps Oldenburg was the best place for her and them. But she’d consider all this later. Now she just wished to mount her horse. With fingers still entwined in a handful of mane, she waited for Prince Marc to say what he’d come to say.
He dipped his head. “I see your point. But I would prefer another to be on horseback alongside you.” His eyes were kind, his face placid, calm, but she knew there was iron there. He’d catered to her wishes, helped protect her belongings, and gone along with every suggestion, but sometime she would come across that iron, and she had a feeling nothing would budge the man.
She smiled. “We have other horses.”
“Yours or your uncle’s?”
“We could take my mother’s.”
He nodded. “Very well. I shall ride with you.” His quick, smart steps had him directing the coachman in undertones and then stepping up to the outside of the carriage himself while it moved back down the narrow lane and stopped once again in front of the stables.
Before long, she and Prince Marc were on their mounts, and the entire entourage was headed in the direction of the mines to see Mr. Thomas.
She chose to ride out in front of the carriages, with Prince Marc at her side, to avoid the dust and ride at whatever speed they wished. When they neared the mines, movement in the brush off to the side caught her eye. Rhi put her hand up for him to halt. “Wait.” She slipped off her horse and rushed to the side of the road. A narrow path wound into the trees, not fully visible from the road, but she knew what she’d seen. “It’s all right,” she called.
A group of wide-eyed children stepped out from behind the trees. Their faces were lined with coal dust, their hair in a tousled mess, every strand thick with evidence of the children having been in the mines. Her heart clenched. Her father had banned young children from the mines. Had they been working alongside their parents? She dreaded the answer, but she had to know. “Come out here. I’d like to see you, if I may.”
When they saw it was Rhi, and she waved and smiled, they eased their way closer. The eldest boy had a younger child on his back, a child without shoes.
