Page 64 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“Yes, I hear he’s fully stocked up,” Henri said.
Both brothers were watching Marc. He knew what they wanted to hear. And he wanted to say it.
Henri adjusted the tray on the table. Then he offered, “Sophie told Bartholomew she wants to go to Oldenburg. She’s ready to leave. She said as much to me as well.”
“Excellent. Our trip to this rather large isle has not been as enjoyable as past journeys, I will admit.” Kristoff leaned back in his chair. “I find I’m missing our lovely shoreline.”
“And our gardens. The southern borders are equally beautiful,” Henri said.
“Yes, Henri, no one is criticizing the southern border when we compliment the coast,” Kristoff told him.
Marc shifted his cup around on the table. Perhaps he would tell them everything he was thinking.
But then Henri stood. “I, for one, think Miss Davies would do well in Oldenburg. Like you said, Marc, she doesn’t have to marry, or she could choose someone in our country who would make her happy, who appreciates her.”
Marc stiffened. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not saying anything.” Henri paced. “Just that once we are home, you could relax this protective stance you have taken, return to your life in security, and trust that she is in good hands...”
Marc started shaking his head before he could even stop himself, but Kristoff’s ridiculous grin made him stop and sigh in submission. “I see what you’re saying. I have no reason to disagree with what you just said.”
“But you do?” Henri asked.
“Not really. No, I don’t.” He couldn’t say more. He must not divulge his thoughts. “She must decide how she is to be happy.”
Kristoff nodded and then leaned forward. “And what do you choose?”
His brother was too perceptive, as always, and Marc wasn’t entirely certain what he was free to want, nor did he know what Miss Davies really desired to do.
Instead of answering Kristoff, he said, “Can you believe the woman just hired a hack and ran up to Wales by herself? And do you know where I found her?”
Kristoff leaned forward. “The same place we found you.”
“Yes. In the mine.” Marc shook his head, remembering all too well the robbers who’d been about to attack them and the feelings he’d had when Miss Davies was in danger. “I will marry when I no longer put myself at risk.”
Kristoff just nodded, and Henri was silent.
And so the three stared at nothing for a time before they all called it a night. But as Kristoff was leaving, he rested a hand on Marc’s shoulder. “Will our world ever be at peace? There are no guarantees, Brother. There never will be, for any of us.”
With that thought ringing in his ears, Marc went to bed, tossing and turning and eventually just lying in the dark, staring until at last he fell into a restless sleep.
Morning came at last. He stepped out of his room, leaving the valet to clean, pack, and prepare for their party’s departure. The group had agreed to meet up for breakfast to discuss their plans. All the doors in the corridor were shut. He hadn’t heard any sounds this morning from opening doors, so he assumed Rhianna was still in her room. The sight of that door shut made him wish for just a moment that not all of them were closed. He wished to talk with her intimately about their possibilities. He wished to hear the desires of her heart, wanted to know her better.
He remembered their lips close at the ball; their romantic picnic had not left his mind, nor had the moments soon after that had wiped all desire from his heart. The bandits who’d reminded him that he was perpetually in danger. The desire had returned, of course, but the fear had not left. He could not live through many moments like that one.
He turned away from Rhianna’s door, stepped down onto the narrow, curving stairwell, and almost walked into her. “Oh, pardon me.” He stopped himself from toppling her over. “Hello.”
“No, I’m sorry. I heard your door. We’re meeting for breakfast, aren’t we?”
“Oh yes, I’m coming down now. I didn’t hear your door.”
She laughed, a beautiful sound tinged with embarrassment. “I was extra careful.”
“You did not wish to be heard?”
“No, I didn’t want to wake you.” She glanced at him and then away. “I considered leaving.”
“You were going to leave? Without telling anyone?” He couldn’t keep the irritation from his voice. In the short time he’d known her, she had astounded him with her overly independent actions.
