“The proprietor said it was built by King Stephen I,” Corina said. “The place is quaint, rustic. Trust me, I was as surprised as you. I spent a lot of my days here shopping Market Avenue and never saw anything like it between those giant stores.”
Stephen paced, his senses buzzing. “Corina, someone is spoofing you. King Stephen’s Manor was torn down.” It made no sense. Wait a minute. He snapped his fingers. “It’s a movie prop. Sure.” He smiled at his clever solution.
“Then why am I in it? As far as I can tell, I’m the only guest. Besides, I already went there and—” She shook her head. “Adelaide and Brill are too genuine to be acting.”
“The director, Jeremiah Gonda, is known for staging a scene from one of his movies in the premier city. I bet the proprietors are actors, Corina. And the inn just a set.”
“If it’s just a set, the director went all out. The place looks like it’s four hundred years old, yet my room is twenty-first century with a flat screen, Internet, sunken tub, granite bathroom tiles.”
“In King Stephen’s day, this city was Blarestoney and its main commerce was on Market and Crescent. Most of the trade was from shipping and farming. Later King Stephen would discover the richness of the mountain mines. Anyway, the film was shot on the north side of the island, where they built a replica city. It’d be just like Gonda to put a piece of it in Cathedral City for a premier publicity stunt.”
“And he picked me? Outside The Wellington? Sent some strange woman in a white coat—yes, coat—to ask me if I needed a place to stay?”
Stephen laughed. “It’s the perfect stunt. A beautiful woman, looking a bit tired and frayed, standing outside the city’s most luxurious hotel. Sure, this is all part of the premier. He probably recognized you.”
Corina visibly exhaled, her smile spreading wide. “You know, the more you talk, the more it makes sense. Why didn’t I think of that? Daddy will have a laugh when I tell him. Mr. Gonda created a great setup. I slept like a baby last night, and the proprietors are a dream. The food, fantastic.”
“Thomas? Can you check this out? See if Gonda registered the fake Manor with the city?” Stephen motioned to the car. “Corina, can we give you a lift to this mysterious Manor?”
She shook her head. “Thank you, no. I want to do some shopping.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow night.”
“Then I guess you will.”
Stephen bristled as he dropped into the passenger seat, sensing he was in some sort of standoff or competition. What was she up to?
In the car, Thomas steered out of the car park. “You’re being very gracious to her.”
“Sheismy wife.”
“So are you changing your mind?”
“No.” It was starting to physically pain him to reject her. “But Nathaniel suggested I charm her to get the annulment documents signed, and since he so boldly invited her to the family dinner on Sunday, I might as well be a prince and win her signature.”
“What if she’s still in love with you?”
Stephen powered his window down, the wind clearing his head. “She’s not. My only intention is to get her to see reason and sign the papers. Certainly I can achieve that without anyone being, or falling, in love.”
Take note, chap. Take note.
Thomas headed east toward the palace, passing the stadium and the main gate. Stephen watched out the window, and there on the corner stood a round man in blue coveralls, waving. and smiling.
FOURTEEN
It was Sunday evening, and the family waited in Nathaniel and Susanna’s palace apartment for their guest.
Stephen paced in front of the cold fireplace, his skin warm and brown from spending the day at the stadium, watching the youth rugby tournament. Leslie’s side failed today’s test, but they’d given their all. He was proud of them.
The tournament kept him distracted from his ankle, from this evening’s dinner with Corina as guest. The more he thought about it the more he wondered at her game.
She announced her invitation to dinner, and her acceptance, with boldness. As if throwing down the gauntlet. He knew her. She’d not stop until she got what she wanted.
”Stephen,” Mum said, patting the couch cushion. “Sit. This pacing cannot be good for your ankle.”
“I’m fine, Mum.” Nevertheless, Stephen dropped into the wingback chair adjacent to his mother and Henry, whom Mum married a year after Dad died. They’d been university sweethearts until Grandfather, Mum’s dad, decided he wanted a crown prince for his daughter.
Susanna entered, her blond hair flowing over her shoulder in wide curls. She wore jeans and a fitted blouse. “Corina is on her way. The chauffeur rang up twice to say he could not find any building between Gliden and Martings. Just an alley. So I had Corina wait for the driver on the corner.” She popped Stephen on the arm. “She seems really cool, dude.”
