“That’s my legal name. I go by Beni.”
“No matter. Wait just a minute—I’ll go find the agent assigned to your case.”
Minutes later, two agents appeared in the Soleil side of the mirror.
“Lady Heroux, Beaufort,” said the second agent—a middle-aged man with thinning brown hair. “I’m Agent Ward. Thank you for making contact.”
“Of course,” said Scarlett. “I came as soon as I saw the news. I had no idea my stepmother was under the impression I was abducted.”
“Please tell us what happened from your perspective,” said Agent Ward.
Beni and Scarlett stood shoulder to shoulder in front of Agent Ward as Scarlett spoke. “My brother, Beaufort Heroux, and my grandmother, Manon Bedivere, were both concerned for my health. With my consent, Manon arranged for the three of us to travel to Clair de Lune for medical care in the home of our family friends, the Maddoxes.” Scarlett looked back at Lachlan, who waved at Agent Ward. “My grandmother was born here, so we’re able to travel between countries,” said Scarlett. “Admittedly, we left without informing my stepmother of our plans, which I now see was a misstep.”
“That’s much less nefarious than what your stepmother told me yesterday. Beaufort, you don’t have a Clair de Lune visa as far as we’re aware. Is that correct?”
“No, I don’t,” said Beni.
“He’s my legal heir,” said Scarlett. “I believe I have guardianship rights that extend to shared citizenship. Apologies if I misunderstood the limits of guardianship. The paperwork was filed before I was… incapacitated.”
Agent Ward’s shoulders relaxed. “If that’s the case, you’re inthe clear. I’ll contact the courts to ensure everything is in order with your guardianship paperwork. When are you both planning on returning to Soleil?”
“As soon as possible.” Scarlett looked questioningly at Lachlan and Manon. “When do you think we can get a train?” She didn’t know how long it would take to produce the marriage certificate.
Lachlan stepped forward. “Tomorrow afternoon, I’d wager.”
“I’ll let Lady Laylani know to expect you tomorrow,” said Agent Ward.
One day stood between Scarlett and Laylani. She grinned as she pictured the look she’d see on Laylani’s face when she walked through the door. She couldn’t wait to make her pay.
But first she had to bind herself to Brayden. Shewantedto bind herself to him. Her heartbeat became fast and uneven as she considered what was next. Now that the bureau was dealt with, it was time to marry her best friend.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
In the manicured gardens behind the white dome of Clair de Lune’s parliament, Scarlett’s palms sweated as she stood next to Brayden and their registrar, a sweet older man. Their wedding ceremony was about to begin. A lake bordered the gardens, stretching far into the distance to Mont Noir. Scarlett had always imagined she’d be married on a sunny Soleil day, maybe even on a beach, but a stormy sky hung over the mountains and the lake. Stunning in its own way, but not what she expected.
After they’d finished speaking to the Soleil Bureau, Manon had hustled Scarlett off to her home to get Sabina’s dress and a pair of teardrop diamond earrings of her own for Scarlett to borrow. Then they’d gone to a boutique on Clair de Lune’s high street, where she’d bought the first shoes she tried on, as well as a blue garter studded with crystals.
It was so strange, wearing her mother’s wedding dress. It fit perfectly. Fitted at the waist, its flared skirt came down to mid-thigh. Pearls lined the square neckline, and the long sleeves were perfect for the cloudy afternoon. Manon had cried when Scarlett put it on, and then Scarlett had cried, both of them missing Sabina. There’d been no time to do anything with her hair, so it hung loose down her back as it would on any other day.
Excitement, worry, and nerves filled Scarlett as she looked at Brayden, who was heartbreakingly handsome in a dark gray suit and a white dress shirt. They stared at each other, and she saw so many things in his expression. Love, need, and maybe a touch of worry. Her heart raced as she wondered what would pour out of them both as soon as they were alone.
She prayed she was doing the right thing, even though her common sense screamed a visa marriage was wrong. She’d always imagined her wedding as a carefully planned affair, not a last-minute rush job. Yet here she stood, in her mother’s wedding dress, as if she were acting in a play. But this was the only way to let Brayden help her while still fulfilling her duty to seek justice in Soleil. Duty. Justice. Revenge. Love. This was the only way all those things could fit together, and so it was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. Even though it seemed selfish.
Scarlett cradled a bouquet of sweet-smelling lilies Brayden had handed her when she’d walked out onto the veranda. Beni and Manon beamed at them, looking as happy as if thiswerea long-awaited wedding and not an event planned this morning. Their hope and love for her and Brayden made Scarlett less afraid. She thought of her father, and his absence crashed over her in a wave of grief.
What would Mum and Dad think of this?
At surface level, they’d be horrified, but if they knew everything… they’d be pushing her down the aisle just like Manon and Lachlan were. Oh, how she wished they were here to do just that.
“They’re both here with you in spirit,” said Nori.
Scarlett blinked several times, determined not to cry.
The registrar cleared his throat, and they all turned to him.
“Marriage is a desire by two people to share themselves and their experiences with each other, and their willingness to accepteach other for who they are…” He went on, but Scarlett was too lost in thoughts of her parents to hear him. The breeze swirled around them as the registrar spoke, and the fresh smell of Scarlett’s bouquet mixed with the scent of the lake and the rosebushes framing the edge of the lawn where they stood.
