His mother gave him a sympathetic, knowing smile.
‘But you love her,’ Lana said, eyes wide. ‘I saw it. We all did. And she loves you back.’
The fatigue was really hitting him now. ‘That’s not a good enough reason to ruin her life.’
Odella scowled at him. ‘Ruin her life? Are we so far below her standard of living?’
Wilona was on her feet again. ‘I think that’s enough questions for now. We must let your brother wash up before he falls asleep at the table.’
Roul hated himself for making his family feel less in any way. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said as he rose. ‘That came out wrong.’
His mother waved the apology away. ‘Your sisters know you’re tired.’
The girls forced a smile before looking down at the table.
Eda. Her name sounded repeatedly in his mind as he was ushered through to the next room.Eda,I’m so sorry.
CHAPTER37
‘Rise and shine,’ Blake said, flinging the curtains open.
Eda turned her face away from the light. ‘Close them.’
‘Not a chance.’ Blake walked over and sat on the bed. ‘It’s been three days. Time to pull yourself together. Queen Fayre has requested an audience with you, and Uncle is chomping at the bit to take you to Eldon Castle so he can take full credit for all you’ve done.’
Eda groaned. ‘Why would you wake me for such terrible reasons? I don’t want to go to the castle. I’ve no interest in seeing Queen Fayre, and the last person I want to see is our uncle.’
Blake bit her lip. ‘What if I told you he’s downstairs waiting for you?’
‘Then I’d ask you to kindly hold this pillow over my head until I suffocate.’
Blake tugged the pillow out from beneath her and threw it. When Eda still did not move, she brushed the hair back from her sister’s face. ‘You must get up and keep going. It’s what we merchants do.’
Eda met her sister’s eyes. ‘Can’t you just wake me when he returns?’
Blake did not have to ask who “he” was. Rising, she said, ‘I’ll pick out a dress for you.’
‘I want to wear trousers,’ Eda said, sounding like a five-year-old.
‘I know you do.’ Blake examined the dresses hanging in the wardrobe. ‘But it’s time to pack away your pants and put on your big girl dress.’ She tugged a garment from a hanger. ‘Up—now.’
It took twenty painful minutes for Blake to comb the knots from Eda’s hair. Then she was stuffed into a dress and pushed down the stairs to where her uncle was pacing. Candace was standing by the fireplace, looking thoroughly uncomfortable in his presence.
‘Is that what you are wearing?’ Thomas asked when he spotted her. ‘I specifically said something fit for the occasion.’
Candace gave Eda a reassuring smile. ‘It is perfectly adequate.’
‘She is representing the entire family,’ Thomas went on. ‘She should give thought to that each time she dresses.’ He was at the door now, waving her through it.
‘Good to see you too, Uncle,’ Eda said as she walked by him.
He scowled in place of words.
‘No need to be nervous,’ Candace said, following them. ‘I am sure Queen Fayre is simply keen to thank you for your part.’
Eda looked over her shoulder as she headed for the waiting carriage. ‘I’m not nervous. I’ll see you later.’ She ignored the offer of the driver’s hand and climbed in, sitting backwards because she knew her uncle always insisted on travelling forwards. Thomas climbed in after her, and then the carriage rolled away.
Her uncle spoke incessantly the entire journey, telling her to remember this, remember that. Do not say this, and most definitely do not say that. This is an opportunity to… something or other.
