Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
It was a pleasant morning so far, and Thalia’s mood was bright. Why wouldn’t it be? As she saw it, everything was going well for her, and there was really no reason that she should not be happy. And not just happy but glowing.
She hummed softly to herself as she settled in the sitting room, right by the window, with a book in her hand and a smile on her face.
The sun shone across her lap, the weather was warm but not hot, and memories of the previous evening danced through her subconscious in ways that were a tad risqué but nothing overtly scandalous.
If there was one thing to worry about, it was a feeling that things were going a little too well.
Often in life, when all was good in the world, there was disaster waiting around the corner, there to shatter the safety of reality.
Thalia was aware of this, and she tried her best not to ponder on it for too long.
Sometimes, things do just work out for the best. Why can’t this be one of those times?
So it was that when Thalia heard a commotion coming from somewhere inside the house, she groaned inwardly, not at all surprised to hear it. She did not know the cause of the commotion, but she suspected it was the type to upend her world because things were going just a little too well…
“Thalia!” a voice cried out from somewhere inside the manor. “Thalia!”
Thalia’s eyes widened and she looked up from the book. That voice… she recognized it immediately. And the only thing that stopped her from jumping to her feet and chasing after it was doubt, because surely it could not belong to who she thought?
“Thalia!” The voice was closer now, and louder.
A smile found Thalia’s face, one that reached her eyes, one that had her laughing gaily. She closed her book and she rose to her feet, just in time for the voice’s owner to come charging into the sitting room.
“Thalia!” It was Rosaline, perhaps the last person who Thalia had expected to see today… or tomorrow… or anytime soon. “Oh, Thalia!”
Rosaline swept into the room, hardly breaking stride as she threw herself at Thalia. Their arms wrapped around their bodies, the hug was tight and warm, and laughter escaped both ladies’ lips.
“Rosaline! What are you doing here?” Thalia asked as she pulled back. “How did you –”
“Your Grace!” a valet appeared in the doorway, looking sweaty and disheveled. “I am so sorry, Your Grace. I tried to stop them.”
“Them?”
It was then that Laurent appeared from behind the valet. His smile was broad and all teeth, and he threw back his head and laughed before hurrying into the room where he pulled both Thalia and Rosaline into a warm embrace.
“How? When? What is going on?” Thalia asked, still laughing because the joy that swept over her was impossible to contain.
Thalia could hardly believe what she was seeing. Her brother and her best friend, two people who she assumed would be a thousand miles away from here, were suddenly in her living room as if nothing had happened.
Once they pulled back from their hug, Laurent put an arm around Roseline’s waist and held her closely, and lovingly, and that single gesture was enough to tell Thalia that all was still well in their world. Married, in love, and not about to change any time soon.
“How surprised are you?” Rosaline beamed.
Thalia blinked into the moment. “It will take a few minutes to convince myself I am not dreaming.”
“I promise that you are not,” Laurent laughed. “This is all very real.”
“But how?” Thalia took a hand each, needing to feel that they were there as if to confirm the truth of it. “How are you here? Why are you here? What…” A shake of the head. “What is going on?”
“It is a long story,” Rosaline said.
“And a good one,” Laurent added.
“Shall I have some tea prepared?” Thalia turned to see if the valet was still in the doorway. “Perhaps some sweetmeats?”
“Wish that we could,” Rosaline sighed. “Sadly, we cannot stay for much longer.”
Thalia balked. “What? But you just got here!”
“Which itself is a risk.” Laurent squeezed her hand and the humor fell from his voice; replaced by a more serious tone.
“We were on our way home – my home,” he confirmed.
“Not for long, as that too is fraught with risk. But there are some things we need to deal with, and we both agreed that it was time to stop running.”
“What things?”
They shared a look with one another.
“Things,” Laurent said sharply, suggesting that she was not to follow up on the meaning.
Thalia frowned at the interaction, only for the realization to dawn on her. “Oh! Of course.” She clapped her hands together. “The marriage! The two of you!” She looked between the newly weds and beamed. “Tell me everything. How is married life? What are your plans? And do you need –”
“There will be time for that later,” Laurent spoke over her. “And right now, it is best that we do not say too much…” His brow tightened and Thalia saw him pull Rosaline in closer as if for protection. “Besides, that is not why we are here.”
“I don’t understand,” Thalia said. “What is going on?”
“We did not mean to come here,” Rosaline spoke up.
“Or rather, we did not know that we would need to. We were on our way back to Laurent’s home to speak with his brother, when we heard…
” She sucked through her teeth and glanced around the sitting room.
“When we heard what happened to you,” she said in a hushed whisper.
Thalia leaned back. “What happened to me?”
“Yes…” Laurent looked at her with deep concern. “Regarding you and His Grace. The marriage.”
“My marriage?” Still, Thalia had no idea what was going on.
“It is true, is it not?” Rosaline said. “About you and –”
“It must be true,” Laurent cut her off. “Or she would not be here. That is why we came.” He snatched her hand and squeezed it. “We came for you, Thalia. We felt that we owed you that much, at the very least.”
“Owed me…” Thalia shook her head as if to clear it. “Will one of you please start speaking sense. And quickly,” she added with laughter. “I have not seen the two of you in over a month and I can’t help but feel that something here is missing.” She looked expectantly between them.
“Thalia…” Rosaline pulled away from Laurent, stepped forward, and took both of her hands. Her expression was pained and filled with sadness. “It is true what we heard? That you married His Grace in my stead?”
“Yes…”
Rosaline winced. “I did not want to believe it. I prayed that it was not true. Oh…” She pulled Thalia into a hug. “I am so sorry, Thalia. If I had known… if I had even suspected what would happen. I never would have…” She sniffed. “Please forgive me.”
“And me.” Laurent stepped forward and rested a hand on her shoulder. “If I had known what would happen to you, I never would have asked for your help.”
Now, Thalia understood what was going on. And she almost had to laugh at the intensity of it all.
Rosaline and Laurent had not known that she married the Duke in her friend’s place. She supposed it made enough sense, seeing as they had escaped north, and were laying low so that they could not be found.
Funnier still, their negative assumption about Thalia’s marriage was very much dated. Had they returned two weeks ago, they would have been right to be worried. Back then, Thalia had abhorred her marriage and would have gladly accepted their apology.
It is funny how quickly things can change. So quickly, and so dramatically, that I doubt it even occurred to Rosaline and Laurent that I might be happy.
“There is no need to apologize,” she assured them both. “Truly, that you both think you need to –”
“We cannot stay long,” Laurent spoke over her, his voice still a hushed whisper. “When we heard what had happened, we knew we had to see you.”
Thalia sighed. “And as I am trying to tell you, you do not need to worry about –”
“We cannot say how long we will be home or,” Laurent continued. “But we want you to know that we are not going to abandon you.”
“We never would,” Rosaline added. “Not after all you have done.”
“Say the word and we will help you to escape,” Laurent said, still squeezing her hands. “I have friends, Thalia. Friends who can sneak you out. My thinking is that we can charter a boat without anyone finding out. We can get you somewhere safe.”
They both looked at her with quiet desperation. The fear in their eyes was very real, as were the pleading expressions on their faces. In their minds, they were doing her a great favor here, and one that she was in desperate need of.
“And where will this boat be going?” a voice spoke from the doorway.
Rosaline and Laurent gasped as one. Laurent was quick to drop Thalia’s hands, at which point he took hold of his wife and pulled her into his body as if to protect her.
“Well?” Caspian strode into the room. “Where will this boat be going?”
“Your – Your Grace,” Laurent stammered. “I did not see you there.”
“Your Grace,” Rosaline added, her voice cracking. “It is… lovely to see you again.”
Caspian walked to Thalia, at which point he took her hand. He did not look at her, however, making sure to keep his eyes on the happy couple the entire time.
The mood in the room shifted instantly. It became tense and awkward, with the sense that the walls were starting to close around them. Laurent and Rosaline shook as they held one another, and their eyes darted all about as if in search of an escape.
“Lady Rosaline,” Caspian said simply. “And Laurent. I did not know that the two of you were back.”
“We are… just now,” Laurent stuttered. “On the way home to see my brother.”
“Give him my regards, won’t you.”
Caspian did not look angry. Nor did he look upset. He wore a passive expression on his face, almost bored it might appear to those who did not know him. But for Thalia, she understood her husband, and she knew that he was furious.
“I thank you for the offer,” Thalia said. She let go of Caspian’s hand and slid her arm around his waist. “But there is no need.”