like gray ash from its surface. Beneath, rich wood tones appeared. The sudden color revealed the dinginess of her rooms. A memory stopped him as he moved toward her sitting area. He had seen her off, kissed her cheek before she entered the carriage. He held her in his arms. How could he have forgotten? How could they all have forgotten?
The chime for breakfast rang as he returned to the hall. He pressed his hand against the wreath of daisies. “I won’t forget you, not again.”
The quiet of the breakfast room seemed oppressive. Robert paced while King William sat across from Lady DeGanne, pushing a pile of eggs across his plate.
“I must go to Marissa, foolish girl.” Neither his father nor stepmother seemed to know of whom he spoke, but Cinderella rose from the settee to stand in his way.
“Go to her? Why would you bother, my love? Marissa is exploring the world. Give her this time to spread her wings. She does not need you to ride to her rescue.”
A cold sense of dread crept through him as he stood before Cinderella. She remained the young woman he’d fallen in love with, and yet, he wanted to back away from the warm glow of her blue eyes. “Someone has convinced her to throw away her protection. She is defenseless in the world and her life is in danger. I am sure of it.”
“Oh, Robert.” She touched his arm, but he jerked away. “What happens to us if you leave?”
“Nothing changes. I love you, Cinderella, but Marissa is dear to me as my own sister would be. I could never forgive myself if something happened to her. A fortnight is all I need to return her to Monmoore. The wedding is more than a month from now.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Robert.” She reached again for his arms, and this time he did not push her away. “Send someone else. Soldiers, let them drag her back kicking and screaming. Or let them remain with her as she travels. What harm is there in that?”
His chest ached, heart drawn in two directions. He wanted to stay with her, with Cinderella. But he needed to go to Marissa. “We’ll be fine, I promise. Stay and make plans for the wedding. I will return before you realize I am gone.”
“It won’t be the same.” Tears choked her voice. Cinderella walked away from him.
39
“I’m not sure which is worse, three days of rain or one day bouncing back and forth on the cart boards.” Marissa groaned as she pulled herself from the public carriage. Had the royal seat been that much softer? She winced as tiny steps forward caused her backside to ache.
Mrs. Boyde stretched beside her. “At this rate, it will be another week before we arrive in Eglin.”
“Belton province is that far?” Marissa’s insides groaned.
Captain Standish jumped to the ground beside them. Marissa narrowed her eyes at him. He could bloody well pretend to be sore like the rest of them. The two of them. She looked around the muddy lot leading to the inn. No unwanted attention. Her drab green gown gave no indication of royal connection. Something good at least. She stepped to the side. Mrs. Boyde caught her arm, linking the two of them together.
“Just a precaution, my dear.” Mrs. Boyde matched steps with her.
Marissa smirked. “You need a hand, don’t you?”
Mrs. Boyde slapped her knuckles. “If I wanted assistance, Captain Standish would be a much better choice.”
“Then I wonder at your choosing me.”
The banter continued as they entered the inn. The name on the sign had long since worn off, but above the huge fireplace hung a plaque which read Holmes Inn.
Mrs. Boyde rubbed her hands together. “I’ll have Captain Standish order a sitting room for us.”
“Not tonight.” Marissa grabbed her hand. “We should remain in the common room—a table near the hearth. Wouldn’t that be pleasant?”
“My dear girl—"
“We’re nothing special now, just like everyone else who came in on the four-twenty cart.”
“You are special, hard seats won’t change that.”
“We need to speak to people. With the captain watching over us, nothing untoward should happen.”
“Your propensity for trouble …”
Marissa gave her no further time for arguing. With Mrs. Boyde’s hand in her own, she dragged her toward a table recently vacated. The fire did feel good, and although her rump complained about sitting, her stomach rumbled at the smell of roasted venison.
Mrs. Boyde plopped beside her. “Very well.”
The evening passed without trouble. An older couple traveling to