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 theirbodies, 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 weneed 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.”
