Page 102 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“You have an intelligent sparkle in your eyes.” He laughed. “Or perhaps it is just the competition that brings it out in you.”
She dipped her head in pretend acknowledgment of his statement and said, “I do. I love to read.”
“Then, we must head to the library for our next activity, tomorrow.”
“I very much look forward to it.” She imagined the Oldenburg library would be great indeed.
They were on their last segment of the race now. The palace was in sight. They watched Layton’s ship finish first, could hear the cheering of his crew on board, and then they came in as a swift second. She sighed and turned away from the sight.
Karl laughed. “We shall try to be pleasant.”
“Yes.” She hadn’t even met Layton yet.
As soon as they stepped ashore, the youngest Wilhelm brother jogged over. Something about him was different from the others. He was more lanky. But cheerful, like the rest, and his grin was almost too much to bear. “Excellent race. We should have a rematch soon,” he said.
Kristoff and Karl both grumbled under their breath before embracing their brother. “We’d be more eager to match up again if you didn’t always win.”
Layton laughed. “As the youngest, I can assert that I have many occasions, now and throughout my childhood, in which I did not, in fact, win. Came in last place, more like.”
“You’re making up for lost time now, that’s for certain.” Kristoff shook his head. “And with us trying so hard to impress Miss Davies.”
“Ah, the lovely almost-sister.” Layton bowed. “It was a pleasure to compete with you.”
She grinned. “The pleasure is all yours.”
All three brothers burst out laughing. Kristoff wiped his eyes. “It isn’t even that funny.”
“I know; it’s just that she said it.” Karl turned to Rhi. “Good show, Miss Davies.”
“Thank you. I think.”
Layton reached for her hand. “You’re a natural Wilhelm. Aribella tells me only good things.”
“She’s lovely. Your children as well. You are to be congratulated.”
Karl waved his hand. “Yes, yes, of course. Congratulations to Layton.”
Layton shook his head. “I must be off. Thanks again, Brothers, Sister.” He dipped his head. “Almost-Sister.” Then he ran back down the path, veering away from the palace, presumably to his castle.
She lifted her chin to see the very highest spires. “It looks so much like it grew right from the rocks.”
“Yes, it does. Marc’s is even more like that.” Kristoff pointed back over his shoulder.
They all three turned, and once again, Rhi was again appropriately awed by it. “Your architect is incredible.” She turned to Kristoff. “And I hear Marc also helped with the design.”
Kristoff pointed. “I think it’s safe to say he did it all himself. The parts where it looks like it’s dug into the cliff wall? He was most excited about those bits. And there’s a portion of the house that actually allows a bit of the seawater into a pool that flows in and out.”
“The more I hear about such a home, the more I feel I know the architect. That’s ingenious creativity.” She studied it with new eyes.
“And part builder as well. He spent hours poring over floor plans, writing, smearing out, and redesigning, cutting the stone and placing some, until the hired builders created what you see.”
“It’s remarkable.” She forced a new lump in her throat to go away. “And completely unique, isn’t it?”
“For Oldenburg, at least. There’s much more to our Marc than you’ve probably seen.” Kristoff sent some sort of meaningful look in her direction.
“Oh, I know that.” She tried to keep the frustration out of her voice. “Believe me, I would never think of Marc as an open book.”
Kristoff laughed. Then he stood taller. “Like me. I am completely closed off. You would never guess what I’m thinking.”
