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  Rosamond cheerfully set a plate before me and continued with her work, giving orders to Juliann and Cora. I enjoyed watching them interact while eating my meal. They seemed to forget I was there. When they all picked up their dishes and headed for the dining room, I nearly laughed at the way Rosamond clucked about like an overprotective hen, and I was still smiling as the door shut. Then their absence settled over me and I sensed someone else nearby. Heavy footsteps crossed the room and stopped directly behind my chair. I didn’t have to look at him to know who it was. He rested his hands on the armrests at my sides and leaned over my shoulder.

  I forced my breathing into a steady rhythm, trying to control my discomfort. “Did you need something, Mr. Fallon?”

  Tobias’s breath hit the side of my neck. “I make you nervous, don’t I, Miss Lily?”

  There was a smile in his voice and I gave him a pointed glance, incensed by his manipulative behavior. “You mean after the way you manhandled me last evening?”

  He shrugged as if it were of no consequence.

  “I find you quite disconcerting, yes.” Denying it would have made me look foolish. “Do you delight in making people uncomfortable?”

  His laugh was raucous. “Only some people. There is something about you that is very familiar.... In fact—” I felt him studying me and looked up to see realization come to his eyes along with a giddy smile. “I believe I recognize you.” My muscles stiffened, making my awkward position as I turned to look at him even more uncomfortable. “And I’m almost certain that your name is not what you claim it to be.” His smile went from amused to menacing.

  My breath froze in my chest. “Excuse me, sir?”

  He moved to my side, leaning even closer, his eyes sweeping my face as his hand reached out to push my hair behind my shoulder. He sneered, saying with relish, “You look quite different without your finery.”

  My sharp intake of breath would have been audible if not for Rhys’s shout. “Tobias!”

  Tobias rolled his eyes furiously, growling under his breath before turning his head to look at Rhys. “Yes, dear brother.” He pushed himself to stand up straight. “How might I serve you?”

  “Join me for breakfast. We’re riding out to check the river as soon as we finish.”

  Tobias sauntered toward Rhys. “Your Lordship,” he mocked, giving a dramatic little bow.

  I watched him go, slowing my breath and taking in the calm of Rhys’s presence.

  He waited until Tobias was out of sight and then turned to me. “I apologize for Tobias. He can be—”

  “It’s not your fault.” Hearing him make up excuses for his brother would have increased my anger.

  “I know he’s unsettling.”

  “Very much so.” I was still staring at the door through which Tobias had left.

  “Because he’s so handsome?” he asked sarcastically.

  My answer was flat, unamused. “No.”

  My blunt answer made him snort in amusement. “You don’t find him handsome, then?”

  “On the contrary, he’s nearly as handsome as you.” I finally cut my eyes over to him, forcing him to pay attention to my next words. “But you know that’s not why I find him unsettling.”

  His expression changed. He had been trying to lighten the mood, but I wouldn’t let him. “I’m sorry about last night.”

  My gaze went to the window. “I’m fine.”

  “Lily, please look at me.”

  My eyes snapped back to his face. He had never called me simply Lily before, and it made my heart hurt. “I apologize for last night.” He emphasized each word and I suspected that he knew he had hurt me.

  I didn’t want his apology. I didn’t want to forgive him. But admitting how much he had hurt me wasn’t an option. So I dug into the pit of my stomach and forced myself to be gracious. “It’s all right,” I said with a fake smile and an airy shake of the head. “Have a good meal.” He pulled out my chair for me. “And thank you for checking the river.”

  His gaze swept my face, trying to gauge my sincerity. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Lily.”

  I gave another halfhearted smile and walked away.

  Chapter 7

  WHILE RHYS AND Tobias rode out to check the river, I sat in Rhys’s study, a book open on my lap but entirely neglected. Staring out at the countryside, waiting for his return, I realized how attached I was and tried to concentrate on something else, but his presence had saturated my being and my mind would not leave him alone.

  I was still staring when the riders approached. Five riders. I sat up, nervous about anyone approaching while Rhys was away. Then I recognized the uniforms. Palace guards. I stood, and the forgotten book tumbled to the floor.

  They were looking for me, there was no question about that. And there was no question of my going with them. I hated the idea of leaving Rhys, but it was for the best. Getting to know him better would only hurt me more. Best to leave now before he knew who I was.

  As one of the soldiers dismounted just outside the gate, I ran to the desk and scribbled a note.

  I’ve found a way to return home safely. Thank you for everything.

  Lily

  I didn’t give myself time to think of just how inadequate my message would be. It didn’t matter because it was all I could do. Running through the entry, I opened the door and slipped out, knowing that if the soldier knocked, either Rosamond or Juliann would appear.

  The guard stood frozen, his mouth gaping in shock. “Princess,” he breathed.

  I hurried toward him. “I don’t want to cause a fuss about leaving. Can we go right now?”

  He unfroze and led me, without a word, to the group of waiting horses. The riders still sat in shock, but when I put out my hand to one, he startled into action, gripping my forearm and deftly pulling me up to sit behind him.

  “Princess, how—”

  “Later. Please ride.” That small command was all it took. They didn’t question my lack of explanation. They didn’t question me at all.

  My injuries still pained me and I asked that we slow down when we passed beyond Fallon land. I closed my eyes, trying not to focus on my discomfort. A soldier to my right asked, “Are you well, Highness?”

  I turned to him and tried to give a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. I was well looked after, but I do have some minor injuries from a fall I took before I came upon the estate.”

  “But you were treated well?”

  “Very well. They were extremely kind.”

  “Then why the hurry to leave, if I might ask?”

  Why, indeed? I sighed, trying to make sense of my reasons. “They didn’t know who I was. I didn’t want to make it awkward, foisting my title on them.”

  He nodded.

  “How long have you been looking for me?”

  “Your father didn’t even know you were missing until this morning.” My eyebrows shot up. “He thought you were safely with your sister.”

  Thinking through what had happened, I realized it was a natural assumption. I had tried to return home early, but the miscreants and the weather had brought me here. Relief filled me. At least my parents had not been worrying this whole time.

  “You’re shaking, Highness.”

  “What?” The words spoken from the soldier I rode with pulled me from my thoughts. He was craning around, studying me.

  “You have no cloak, Princess.”

  I looked down. He was right, of course. My cloak had been left behind, and I was visibly shaking. Another guard pulled his own cloak from his shoulders and draped it around my own. I secured it around my neck and put the hood up. It was still warm from the soldier’s body heat and I warmed quickly.

  We rode for some time before a murmur rippled among the soldiers and I looked up to see what had caught their attention.

  Rhys and Tobias were returning from the river. They slowed, no doubt planning on having a word with the palace soldiers.

  “Don’t stop,” I commanded.

  “I wasn’t plan
ning on it,” said the soldier riding in front of me. None of them slowed in the slightest. They were returning me to my father. Nothing would slow them.

  I turned my face away from Tobias and Rhys and kept my head down until we had passed the Fallon brothers.

  It was cowardly, but fear for my heart kept bravery at bay.

  Approaching the river, I was glad to see that the great stone bridge stood solid. The river was still high enough that water splashed over it, but the horses made the trip across with little trouble. We rode through the village, encountering the curious glances of everyone we passed. A contingent of soldiers riding through the village wasn’t uncommon, but it was still a spectacle, especially when a female figure sat behind one of them. I could tell who must have recognized me by their widened eyes and hushed conversations. It made me smile.

  As we climbed the hill to the palace, my nerves finally made themselves known. I was anxious to see my parents, to be back in their capable hands. But I already missed Rhys.

  The horses clattered into the circular drive as my mother’s willowy figure rushed out to meet me, her long veil fluttering behind her.

  “Lylin!” My mother’s voice and face were filled with relief accompanied by a good deal of worry.

  “I’m perfectly well, Mama,” I shouted before the horses even came to a stop. When the horse did halt, I gripped the arm of the soldier in front of me and swung down.

  My mother’s arms came around me and I had to warn her about my bruises. She lessened her grip.

  “You’re all right? No one hurt you?” she asked in desperation.

  “I was well looked after. I promise I’m fine.”

  “We had no idea you were missing until this morning, then it was like Ella all over again.” Her voice was still frantic, though she tried to be calm.

  “I know, and I’m so sorry I scared you.” I wrapped my arms around her, feeling like our roles were reversed.

  I looked up to see my father’s imposing figure coming down the steps, his dark head inclined as he half listened to the soldier at his side. “She was at the fifth manor house we inquired at. She came out the door before we even had a chance to knock.”

  My mother warned him of my bruises in time for him to embrace me lightly, stooping to kiss the top of my head.

  “Did Nathaniel return?” I asked.

  “Yes,” my father answered. “It wasn’t until he returned that we knew you were missing. Now, let’s go inside.”

  My feet barely touched the ground as my parents practically carried me inside. We did stop when Lorraina appeared, giving me an uncomfortably tight hug.

  We gathered in the upstairs sitting room and I launched into my story right away, wanting to reassure them of my comfort the past few days. I sped through the story of being chased by the horsemen, emphasizing that I had never been caught and that my injuries were of my own making and not very severe.

  “I was only in danger for a few minutes before I came upon the manor and its gracious occupants.”

  I didn’t dare tell my parents that ‘a few minutes’ was actually several hours of wandering, lost, in the middle of a storm during the dead of night. No sense in letting them worry about something that was over and done with.

  “Oh, Lylin.” I could tell by my mother’s tone of voice that she was nowhere near being soothed, so I tried a different tactic.

  “Honestly, Mother. I spent nearly all of my time in a comfortable manor house, being looked after by a grandmotherly servant.” As well as her master, but that bit of information would likely not be comforting.

  “What did you do with your time?”

  “I...wandered the house exploring and visited with Rosamond.”

  “Rosamond was the lady of the house?” my mother asked.

  I shook my head. “There was no lady of the house. Rosamond was the servant.”

  “You spent your time visiting with a servant?” It was the first time Lorraina had spoken, and her distaste at the thought was obvious.

  “Yes, and she was an absolute angel.”

  “And she didn’t believe that it was at all inappropriate that she was visiting with a princess as if you were equals?” I wondered if Raina’s eyes could possibly get any wider than they already were.

  “Well, actually...they didn’t know.”

  “Know what, darling?” my mother inquired.

  “When I first arrived at the manor, I was...quite frightened. I was worried about what would happen if they knew who I was, so I lied about my name.” My guilt surprised me. I hadn’t actually felt guilty about my lie until now.

  “They didn’t recognize you?” Lorraina was scandalized.

  I shook my head.

  “And you never told them who you were?”

  My face crumpled, feeling the distress of my situation. “No,” I answered.

  My mother looked confused. “Why not? Did you not trust them?”

  “I absolutely trusted them,” was my automatic defense before I softened my tone. “They treated me so well, with such unabashed kindness. I didn’t want them to change the way they treated me once they knew who I was.”

  “You haven’t yet told us their name,” my mother reminded me.

  “Fallon,” I blurted before I lost my nerve. It was going to be awkward enough speaking of him; I certainly didn’t need to make it worse by hesitating over it. “Lord Rhys Fallon.” I looked up at my father to see a sad smile come to his face. “The son of a good friend of yours, I believe.” He only nodded, but I could tell that this news brought him a great deal of satisfaction.

  “You ended up riding all the way back to Fallon Manor after almost making it to the river?” my mother asked and I nodded. “That’s quite a distance, but I cannot think of a better place for you to be. Do you remember Lord and Lady Fallon?”

  “I do. Not well, but I recognized the name. I was relieved when I found out who they were. It put my mind at ease, knowing how much you respected them.”

  The door opened and Ella came rushing into the room, her mouth tight with worry, her eyes searching until they found me. She carried two year old Guinevere on her hip, but swung the curly-headed toddler to the ground without breaking stride, allowing Guin to run to my father. Ella usually wore palace clothing when visiting, but it was clear she had not bothered taking the time to primp before coming to see me. Her life with her common husband on the estate gifted them by my parents did not require finery. She was dressed well enough, but her clothing was thoroughly practical and her blonde waves of hair hung in a loose braid. She looked radiant. The role of wife and mother suited her.

  I stood to greet her and was overwhelmed by her presence as she enfolded me in her arms. She didn’t draw back right away, but kept her arms around me. I hugged her in return and allowed a few tears to escape into the fabric at her shoulder, then composed myself before she pulled away.

  “I should not have let you leave my house.”

  I chuckled at her assertion. “You could not have anticipated my being set upon by ruffians any more than I could.”

  “Still, I shouldn’t—”

  My father interrupted. “How did you get here so quickly? Nathaniel only left a few minutes ago.”

  “I couldn’t stand to stay home waiting for news. I’ve been in a fit ever since the guard came looking for Lylin. Gavin finally suggested that I come here so that I would know the minute you were found.”

  “Did you encounter Nathaniel on your way?” my father asked as Guinevere climbed happily onto his lap. “He left as soon as he found out that Lylin had returned.”

  Ella looked up in surprise, “Yes, of course, he was with me just a moment ago—” She looked about as if expecting to see him in the room with us.

  Father stood, bringing Guinevere with him. He looked at the steward standing at the door. “Tell Nathaniel to join us.”

  The steward left the room and returned immediately with Nathaniel, who must have been waiting just outside the door. I noted his bandaged
arm resting in a sling, but was relieved to see him otherwise intact. He bowed low to my father. “Your Majesty.”

  He turned to look at me and I could see him trying to determine my well-being. He opened his mouth to speak but looked to my father instead.

  “You may speak,” my father allowed.

  “You were not injured, Princess Lylin?” he asked with obvious concern.

  “A few bumps and bruises, but overall I am very well.”

  He let out a stuttering breath. “You cannot imagine my relief.”

  A smile slipped across my lips. I’d always liked Nathaniel. We got along well, and though he was more than fifteen years my senior, he treated me as an adult. He had been my bodyguard since I turned sixteen. He took his job very seriously, but was also easy to be with. “You’ve been injured.”

  He looked down at his arm and shrugged. “The brute managed to get in a few blows before returning to his maker.” I found the bravado oddly comforting.

  “Thank you, Nathaniel, for delivering Ariella, and for your efforts to ensure Lylin’s safety. You may go.” Nathaniel nodded to my father, accepting his dismissal, and bowed to the room at large before turning to go.

  “Thank you, Nathaniel,” I called after him. He turned at the threshold and bowed low once more before disappearing around the corner.

  I wished we could have a longer conversation so that I could thank him properly and find out what exactly had happened to him, but didn’t wish to do so with an audience. I would have to wait until my injuries allowed me to ride again.

  “Why wasn’t he with the soldiers who were looking for me?”

  “Do you think we only sent one group out to look for you?” My father looked amused and I felt a little silly. Of course there would be multiple search parties. “And as for Nathaniel, when he arrived here this morning, his arm had to be taken care of first, and the injury makes sitting on a horse awkward. Though that didn’t stop him from doing it. He insisted on going to retrieve Ella for you.”