‘I have no idea why it took so long,’ Thomas added, ‘but we are finally here.’
Eda knew exactly why it had taken so long. Queen Fayre had been buying her time to heal from her heartbreak, and Eda would be eternally grateful for those extra months. The only problem was her heart had not healed. She had to accept that it might never be the same again. But life continued regardless. Missing him did not mean she could never be happy, only that she had to learn to be happy while missing him.
Even as her uncle sat there spelling out the details of her future, Roul was noticeably missing from the conversation. She could not glance in his direction. He could not wink back at her. She wondered what he would think of her marrying a future lord. It was laughable.
‘I have sent word confirming that we will put Eda on a ship as soon as possible. We shall have to find a lady companion to travel with her. It would not reflect well on our family if she were to arrive alone.’
Blake pushed her plate away, and Harlan’s arm went around her.
‘It all sounds so romantic,’ Kendra said. ‘Whisked off to a foreign land to marry a future lord.’
Eda blinked. ‘Does it? Then perhaps you should go in my place since you’re also unwed.’
‘And Kendra will remain that way for as long as King Becket is in the same position,’ Thomas said pointedly.
Eda mentally rolled her eyes.
Kendra gave her a sympathetic look. ‘You will miss your family, of course. But with a husband that rich, you will be able to travel frequently.’
‘Exactly,’ Thomas said. ‘You should all be thrilled by this outcome.’
Blake rose from her chair. ‘Excuse me. I need to check on Luella.’
‘Have you really not employed a governess yet?’ Thomas called to her back.
Candace drew a breath. ‘The girls never had a governess growing up.’
‘And it shows,’ Thomas said, levelling her with a look.
Harlan’s chair scraped the floor, making everyone flinch. With his fists clenched at his sides, he said, ‘Excuse me,’ then followed his wife.
Lady Victoria cleared her throat. ‘Whatever happened to Leigh Appleton? He was very kind. If Eda were to marry him, she could remain here in Chadora.’
Thomas’s fork clanged against the plate. ‘The man is a bootmaker. Queen Fayre has found us a futurelord. Eda should be falling at my feet with gratitude.’
‘I will not even see her get married,’ Candace said, eyes welling with tears.
Victoria reached for her hand. Any words of comfort spoken aloud would only aggravate her husband further.
‘We have worked tirelessly to secure this match,’ Thomas said. ‘Some appreciation in place of moping would go a long way.’
Blake and Harlan returned to the room with Luella. Harlan looked at Eda as he took his seat. ‘If you have objections, now is the time to speak up.’
Thomas rose abruptly. ‘How dare you interfere with family business.’
Harlan glared up at him. ‘This is my family too. If she doesn’t want to go, I won’t make her.’
Eda placed her fork down on her plate, exhausted by the tension. ‘It’s fine. I’ll go.’ She could not very well complain about being stuck within the walls and then turn down her only opportunity to leave. ‘I’ve always wanted to travel on a ship.’ She wanted the conversation over. At least with a wealthy husband, she would have her own bedchamber and plenty of space.
‘He is marrying you as a favour to Queen Fayre, knowing full well that you do not have a penny to your name,’ Thomas said. ‘You would all do well to remember that.’
Eda stared at her uncle. ‘I’m not penniless. I earn a wage.’
‘Money that would be better spent on real soldiers,’ Thomas said, taking his seat once more.
She had taken every blow the man had dealt, remaining silent all evening. But something snapped in her mind when those words left his mouth. She looked down at the knife she was holding, then threw it at her uncle. It pierced the edge of his tunic, pinning his arm to the chair.
Lady Victoria screamed, and Luella began to cry. Everyone else sat frozen. Thomas looked down at the knife, colour draining from his face.
