She glanced at him. He was frowning. She took a breath and went on. “Also, I’m in rather high demand—around Winscombe, that is. It’s no exaggeration to say that someone is always in search of me. Many days, I’m sought from the moment I awaken until I close the door to my bedchamber at night. Someone is forevercalling, summoning, demanding, asking for my opinion. ‘Ryan’ is simply more to the point than ‘Marianne,’ I suppose?”
“Why is your attention so prized?”
Ryan shrugged. She’d not meant to complain about it. She loved her family and her home; their constant need for her was both rewarding and motivating. She was good at solving problems and giving assurances. It was why she’d dragged herself to mainland England and dived into a forest.
But she needn’t explain that. She needn’t tell him half of this—honestly, he probably remembered that her family called her Ryan. But he’d not yet admitted that he was Gabriel d’Orleans or that heknewher, so she would play along.
“My father is the Earl of Amhurst and the title is old and respected. The locals look to our family for leadership. Winscombe is large but was built several centuries ago. It’s maintained by a staff that is more loyal than robust. And my father is in poor health. My sisters and I get along as best we can, but I’d be lying if I said there are not constant challenges. It’s my nature to be less reactionary and more practical, I suppose? This makes me popular in a crisis.”
He stared at her, saying nothing.
“Why are you called Rein,Mr. Rein?” she asked. He’d handed her this opportunity like a gift.
“My guardian was called Rein,” he said simply.
“Oh?”
“Samuel Rein. I honor his generosity by taking his name.”
“Thatisan honor,” she said. “And what is yourgiven name, Mr. Rein? Do you call yourself ‘Samuel,’ as well?”
He didn’t answer. He stared down at her.
“Not Samuel?” she confirmed. “What is it then?”
“Gabriel.” A whisper.
An anvil dropped squarely on Ryan’s chest—she could hardly squeeze in a breath. Even so, her mouth didn’t fall open, she didn’t exclaimaha!She blinked once, twice.
After a long moment, she asked, “Gabriel? Will you hear the story of this imposter prince called Maurice? The man who’s pursuing us—pursuing me and all of Winscombe?”
He said nothing.
“Mr. Rein,” she said gently. “Will you hear it? May I tell you what’s happened?”
“No,” he said.
“Will you hear the terms of the betrothal, then? I haven’t a copy of this allegedbindingdocument, but I’ve notes about what it says. Perhaps you can help me understand how to challenge it?”
“No.”
“Is there no help you can give me?” she pressed. “No help at all?”
“No.”
And now Ryan’s composure slipped. She wanted to slap her palm against the wall of this cave. She wanted to make the unpleasant half-shrieking noise that Diana made when she was frustrated. She wanted to take Prince Gabriel by the lapels and say,You cannot be this unfeeling!
Instead she said, “Will you show me your horses, Mr. Rein? I find myself in need of fresh air.”
“It’s raining,” he said.
“I don’t care.”
“It’s night.”
“By torchlight then.”
“It’s—”
