Page 83 of A Tenuous Betrothal
The palace was enormous. As she followed the servant back to her rooms, she didn’t remember it taking as long to meet up in the king’s study, but they navigated multiple corridors and rooms before she felt like she even recognized the area outside her set of rooms.
Her new space was incredible. It was as large as the whole floor of her family’s set of rooms in Wales. She had two sitting rooms, one for guests and one for her private use. A stone balcony ran the full length of the space, and the furniture, bedding, and closets were luxurious in every way. Even if she never married, she could be comfortable here. No one would mind, surely, if she lived out her days single, wishing she were married to Marc?
Pathetic. She knew she sounded overly unhappy. But this situation was going to require significant time for her to adjust to.
The servant paused at the doorway. “What might I have them bring up from the kitchen?”
Thinking on Elsie’s suggestions, she said, “How about a platter of fruit and your best bread?”
The servant nodded and bowed, and she was left alone.
And lonely.
For the last couple of months, she had talked to Marc or Sophie about some of her troubles. But since the death of her father, she’d had no one in whom to fully confide. And suddenly, with her heart tearing and everything confusing and uncertain, she longed for someone to advise her.
And for something familiar. She thought about her mother’s jewels, but that didn’t feel very warm. She could smell her clothes, but so many of them were brand new from the modiste in London; they were more a part of this new life than anything that felt like home.
Her horse. She suddenly remembered they’d brought Firestorm on the journey from England. And Rhi wanted to check on her anyway.
She rushed through her rooms toward the bedchamber itself and to her dressing area. Her maid stepped out as soon as Rhi’s footsteps were audible. “Do you need something, miss?”
“Yes, a riding habit. And, Catrin, is not this a pleasant change?”
“Yes, miss. I think we will be very happy here.”
The food tray arrived while Rhi was donning the last of her clothes for riding. She spooned a juicy red fruit she didn’t recognize into her mouth and then paused when the delicious, tangy taste delighted her tongue. Hurriedly, she ate a few more bites. “Catrin, you must try this. Save me some for when I return, but please eat some. It is the best thing I’ve ever had.”
Then she made her way back out into the main area of the palace, certain she would encounter a servant somewhere who could direct her.
She hurried across marble floors, the beautiful, cool, and spacious rooms seeming a little more like home now that she could go see Firestorm. She walked through four rooms—lavishly furnished, many with blue accents reminding her of the water in the bay—until she found a servant. “Could you please direct me to the stables?”
“Oh, you are almost there, miss. Those double doors right through that room lead outside. Then follow the path to the bottom of the hill.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, and might I say welcome?” The servant’s smile was huge and warm, and Rhi felt instantly more at home.
“Thank you again.”
He bowed and slipped away.
Rhi turned and entered the room he’d pointed to but stopped as she heard voices. “Marc leaves for Prussia in the morning. He’s asked for double backup. There’s been some trouble with the raids, and he’s expecting at least two attempts to thwart the trip.”
“It’s good to have him back. The timing is crucial for this.” Their voices got louder and closer, so she turned and ran around the next corner and caught her breath. Marc really was leaving. The situation was dangerous. So these were some of the reasons he was resisting her.
She peered around the corner and right into the face of a tall man who looked a lot like Marc. “Oh, hello.” She laughed.
“Hello.” His voice was warm and quite obviously intrigued.
“I’m, um, Miss Davies.” She curtsied. “And I’m looking for the stables.”
“Well, Miss Davies, you are in luck, because I am headed there myself and can show you the way.”
“Oh, thank you.”
He turned in the direction she was originally heading and held out his arm. “Allow me.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “I can’t help but assume you are a Wilhelm—a brother of Marc?”
