“What do you usually eat?”
I’m curious about her life.
“The food is good. Natural, wholesome and balanced.”
Her eyes light up as she talks about the convent, and I’m mystified about that.
“We grow our food in the walled garden. I love to help where I can.”
She considers the rich, decadent beef on her fork and smiles softly. “Meat is a luxury we are allowed twice a week. The rest of the time we eat vegetables and pulses.”
“What about alcohol?”
“Reserved for communion only, and that is just a taste on the tongue.” She shivers. “It’s not one I’m partial to if I’m honest.”
Her eyes sparkle, and it hits me hard inside. This is wrong. I’m not used to such sweet innocence. My job is to seduce her, make her fall in love with me and agree to be my wife. It’s not an unpleasant thought, but tricking this girl into believing I love her makes me a fool.
I say nothing more; it’s probably best if I don’t dwell too much on this. The more I learn about her, the more I will second-guess my father’s decision. It’s not as if we need the money. We have more than we can spend, anyway. However, it is better in our control than in our enemies’ control, which would undoubtedly happen if they got their hands on the Diamond Dynasty.
The sister’s father was Enrico Zaferelli, the diamond king. He aspired to become the richest man in the world and achieved his ambition. He died before he could enjoy his wealth in his retirement, leaving his three daughters in the clutches of their wicked stepmother.
I wonder about Morgan Sorcusi. She is like most of the women I come across, and she hit the jackpot. I wonder what she would say if she saw Rose now and the company she is keeping. It’s an amusing scene to imagine.
“May I ask you a question?”
Rose pulls me from my thoughts, and I nod.
“Of course.”
“Why am I here?”
She cocks her head to one side and stares at me with curiosity rather than fear, and I wonder what I should say.
“My father is acquainted with Sister Agatha and promised to provide you with a job and lodgings while you experience life outside the convent.”
I go with the safer option, and yet her unnerving gaze causes me to squirm inside. It’s obvious she’s no fool, and I certainly feel like one as I gloss over the real reason she is here.
“What does the job involve?”
“You will be learning the business.”
“What is the business?”
“Import and export.”
Her unwavering gaze is causing me to squirm like a schoolkid, and I don’t recognize myself right now. Women usually understand what I am, what business I am in, and yet, for some reason, I don’t want Rose to look at me differently. If she knew she would be horrified, and yet I have no choice. She stumbled into my world unwillingly and will never leave. To crush a soul as beautiful as Rose doesn’t make me proud, and yet I have no choice.
But not yet.
“Will I stay in my own apartment?”
Her sweet smile cuts deeper than any blade, and I wish like crazy we had never started this conversation.
“Sister Agatha was happier if you stayed at the family home. You will live in a suite of rooms there, more like a small apartment, really.”
“I see.”
If anything, her smile dims a little, prompting me to ask, “You’re not happy about that.”
