The Beautiful Pretender (A Medieval Fairy Tale #2)(41)

“So that’s why that man stands there all the time.”

“I will send you and Lady Magdalen and Odette ahead and I’ll come later.”

“I don’t think that will fool Fronicka. But do not worry. I think Lady Magdalen and I had such a wonderful time that it was worth all of Lady Fronicka’s jealousy. Why don’t you bring her and Lady Otilia tomorrow?”

He leaned forward. “I will not be bringing Lady Fronicka here.” His look was fierce, his brows drawn together and down. “Why would you speak of Lady Fronicka? Why would you want me to bring her here?”

Avelina’s heart pounded and her breath shallowed.

Lord Thornbeck turned away from her. He ran his hand through his hair, causing it to stick out in a few places, and blew out a huff of air.

What had she said that bothered him so much?

Just then, Odette called out, confirming that they were ready.

Avelina tried not to look back at him as she hurried away, but somehow she could not resist turning. He met her eye. His expression was more questioning than angry.



The next day, Lord Thornbeck left another note under their doors for Avelina and Magdalen to meet him in the solar. When they arrived he showed them his collection of sculptures and paintings that were not of his family members and therefore were not in the gallery. They were mostly scenes of nature—trees, animals, birds, and people working.

Avelina and Magdalen stood admiring the works of art and pointing out various aspects of the paintings and sculptures. The margrave commented here and there or answered their questions.

“It is a beautiful view, is it not?” Lord Thornbeck stood beside Avelina as she stared out the window at the rugged land below. In the distance she could see the spire from Thornbeck Cathedral.

“It is very beautiful. Plimmwald is rather flat, and I think I prefer these beautiful mountains.”

“Truly?” His face held such a tender look. It made her heart trip over itself.

“There is no place like home, of course, but the mountains and valleys are so wild and exciting compared to level places. Do you not think so?”

“I do.”

A shiver went up her spine. Part of her wanted to lean toward him so she could see deeper into his brown eyes, to put her arms around him and feel his warmth and strength.

How could she even think such a thing? He was to be married to Magdalen and very soon. She would only be here for five more days.

The truth was, she liked Lord Thornbeck so very much. The disloyalty to Magdalen made her stomach feel sick. After all, her friend was so kind and generous. But could she help it if she thought Lord Thornbeck was everything a woman might desire in a man? He was not perfect—he was peevish in the way he hardly ever smiled or laughed, and he was harsh sometimes to his servants—but beneath that severe exterior, she sensed an earnest intention to do what was right. And that longing in his eyes, that conscientiousness in his every action, took her breath away.

She turned away from him, closing her eyes to get her thoughts under control.

A horrible pang of guilt—and something else she shouldn’t try to name—snaked through her chest.

Soon Lord Thornbeck excused himself. “Some correspondence I must attend to.” He left them in the solar.

Tamping down those ridiculous feelings, Avelina said, “What do you think of Lord Thornbeck?”

“He is a good sort of man.” Magdalen stared distractedly at a painting of Thornbeck Castle in winter, with bare-limbed trees all around it. “Why do you ask?”

She spoke so dispassionately, she could not be in love with him. Oh God, please let her fall in love with him. She couldn’t bear to think of either Lord Thornbeck or Magdalen in a dispassionate, less-than-joyful marriage. But they were both good people. Surely the love and joy and passion would come, in time.

Magdalen turned and looked hard at her, her brows drawing together, as if she was about to ask her a question.

“Let us go exploring the castle.” Avelina grabbed her arm. She couldn’t bear to answer any probing questions or tell her friend a lie right now. “It is so big, and I have not seen nearly all of it. Perhaps there are some hidden passageways and lost rooms somewhere.”

“You make it sound fun.” Magdalen laughed. “I suppose it cannot do any harm.”

They left the solar, which was on the third level, and walked through a corridor Avelina had not been down before. “This must be the way to the west wing.”

“Maybe we should not go there,” Magdalen said, her voice hushed. “I do not think Lord Thornbeck would want us to.”

“Did he say we couldn’t go to the west wing?”

“I don’t remember, but I got that impression. Is it not where his brother died?”

“I had not thought of that.” Would it be completely destroyed after the fire? Or still mostly intact?

The corridor was lit by small windows about ten feet apart along the wall facing east. They stopped to look at the view, as it was different here. Then the corridor took a sharp turn and there were no more windows to let in light.

“Do you know where you’re going?” Magdalen asked.

“No, but if it gets too dark, we’ll turn around and go back.” And get a torch.

They walked until Avelina could no longer see her feet.

“Maybe we should go back,” Magdalen whispered.