The Carnelian Legacy (26 page)

As the carriage made its way down the courtyard and through the tunnel under the ramparts, Darian studied her with an amused smile.

“Have you ever ridden in a carriage, Marisa?”

“Nope. First time.”

The carriage passed under the portcullis of the citadel wall. Marisa stared at all the shops and watched the people milling about in the street. The city was bustling as its citizens went about their daily business. There was a high wall surrounding the outer gates of the city and once the carriage passed through it, they entered the open countryside with rolling hills and small forests.

Marisa heard a clopping noise behind them. She looked out the rear window of the carriage and spotted four soldiers following them on horseback.

“Those are the royal bodyguards,” Darian said. “I’m afraid we can’t be totally alone today.” He winked at her playfully.

“So why didn’t you have bodyguards on your trip to Abbadon?” she asked.

“I had no need of them.”

“Why not?”

“I was on a diplomatic mission as His Excellency Darian Fiore, Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to Abbadon,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“I don’t get it. Are you a prince or an ambassador?

“Both, actually. In my capacity of ambassador on a diplomatic mission to Abbadon, I carried with me official papers of protection. If anyone dared threaten or harm me while I was on my journey, they could be executed.”

“Executed?”

“Yes. But now that I’m back to being His Royal Highness, I am required to have bodyguards with me even if I venture outside the citadel.”

“Why? Is it that unsafe?”

He shrugged. “Members of the royal family are always facing some threat or another. But just between you and me, I would sooner choose my sword over a small piece of paper.” He chuckled, peered out the window.

It felt like an awkward first date, although Marisa knew it wasn’t. Her hands fidgeted nervously as the carriage bumped along the unpaved road. The country scenery was breathtaking, but as if from the force of a magnet, her eyes were constantly being pulled back to Darian.

When the front wheel suddenly sank into a deep pothole, she lurched forward into his lap. His arms moved quickly to catch her, and shyly she moved back onto her seat.

“I’m so glad you came with me today, Marisa,” Darian said softly, his crystal eyes beaming at hers. “I hope you like where we are going.”

Ancient trees covered the road to form a tunnel of green as the road entered a dense, forested area. The carriage stopped in front of a rusting, wrought-iron gate that guarded the entrance of a gravel driveway. From the way the road had been completely overrun with weeds, Marisa could tell that it probably hadn’t been used in years.

“Remain here, please,” Darian said. He stepped out of the carriage and opened the gate with a small key. When the carriage had passed through, he closed it again and they continued up the long, tree-lined road.

The driveway came to an end as the carriage veered off to the right and made a broad arc around a circular driveway. The footman jumped down and opened the door for Marisa, lifting his hand to assist her. Her boots touched the grind driveway and she stared up in amazement.

The small castle reminded her of a photo she’d seen somewhere of a very old French chateau. It was built of alternating gray and red-colored stone, with several windows of stained glass. It had thirteen chimneys and there was a large fountain in the circle of the driveway that had been dry for some time. It was surrounded on three sides by towering trees that reminded her of the California sequoias in her backyard at home.

“Shall we?” Darian asked. They ascended the front steps to a heavy oaken door where he took out a set of keys and unlocked it. He slid the metal bolt aside and turned the heavy iron ring. It made a loud creaking noise as if the door hadn’t been opened in years.

“After you, milady,” he said, bowing.

They stepped into an octagonal-shaped hall with a sweeping staircase and hand-carved banisters winding gracefully up to the second floor. The floors were made of marble and a large crystal chandelier hung down from the lofty ceiling.

Marisa was speechless.

Silently he took her hand and led her through a door toward a sitting room with large windows facing the front of the house. Although the room was quite spacious, the furnishings had been arranged in such a way as to create a warm, cozy atmosphere.

“Shall we take a tour?”

Marisa nodded, still in awe. They toured all the rooms on the ground floor, and in each one she saw that all the furnishings had been covered with cloths. She gently lifted a sheet up off a couch and spied its beautiful golden upholstery underneath. There were various works of art adorning the walls as well as handcrafted clocks, books, crystal and porcelain dishes, and other decorative, eye-catching pieces.

As they entered the large formal dining room just off the living area, she gasped as she saw two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There were several beveled glass doors opening out onto a large stone terrace, with extensive gardens beyond. When Darian saw her peeking outside, he unlocked a large set of doors and opened them.

She walked across the stone terrace and admired the beautifully landscaped gardens. There was a reflection pond with a large grassy area just beyond it and a rose garden on the left side with paths to admire the blooming flowers.

“This reminds me of a hotel where I stayed with my family in California,” she said. “It’s so beautiful!”

The footman approached them carrying a large wooden box.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Keep watching,” Darian said. He spread a blanket across the stone table and began to remove from the box small bundles of food wrapped in cloth. As he whisked out a bottle of wine and two crystal glasses, it reminded Marisa of a magician pulling objects from his hat.

“Here you are, milady. I hope you’re hungry.”

“
Very
hungry. I skipped breakfast.”

He raised his glass in the air. “
Ap eirie!
” he said.

“Cheers.”

“So, what do you think of the house?”

She took a bite of bread. “It’s incredible. Whose is it?”

Darian grinned. “Yours.”

CHAPTER 20

DOWRY

MARISA
COUGHED
,
NEARLY
CHOKED
on her bread. She struggled to clear her throat and searched his face. “What did you say?” she demanded.

“You heard me. You can move in whenever you wish.”

She took a sip of wine. “You’re
giving
it to me?”

Darian nodded.

She shook her head in disbelief. “But I can’t accept this! It’s a
castle
for cryin’ out loud!”

“Did you happen to notice the coat of arms above the front door? This house is one of several belonging to the Fiore family. As such, it is my property, and I can give it to whomever I please.”

“Yeah, but no—Darian, I can’t accept this!”

“Why not?”

She made a face. “C’mon, get real. It’s just too much. You want to give me a book, okay, fine—that I can accept. But this...” She pointed to the mansion, exasperated.

“The house is empty. There’s no one living in it, and there hasn’t been for several years. To have someone managing and maintaining it would be extremely beneficial. In fact, we should pay you to stay here.”

“Uh, Your Royal Highness, I can’t just take a house belonging to the royal family.”

Darian stared at her. “Marisa, Castle Beauriél is a gift from me to you, from one friend to another. How do you say it in English? No strings attached. I beg you—please do not insult me by refusing my gift.”

Her eyes roamed the expansive gardens. It would be difficult to pass up such an incredible offer. The house was gorgeous and she could certainly imagine living there. But she wasn’t comfortable accepting a house from him. The whole thing was, as her father used to say, just not kosher.

“I don’t need such a humongous place,” she whined. “What am I supposed to do with twelve bedrooms? I’m gonna end up like Cinderella, having to clean the place twenty-four/seven—”

“How did you know that?” Darian asked.

“Know what?”

“That there are exactly twelve bedrooms.”

“I don’t know, lucky guess, I suppose,” she sighed. “Your Highness, I don’t think I can accept this gift.”

He turned to her as if he wanted to say something, but when he saw her determined face, he said nothing and quickly looked away.

Without a word, he lifted his glass off the table and walked down to the edge of the terrace. His back was turned to her as he stared into the garden in quiet contemplation.

Just then, it occurred to her that the house was meant as a peace offering. Located far enough outside the city, Beauriél would conveniently keep her out in the country and a considerable distance from the palace after Darian and Matilda were married. Obviously, it was what he wanted, and it would be best for everyone if she just accepted the house.

Marisa crossed the terrace to where he stood. “I can see that this is one battle I’m never gonna win, Your Highness. I am grateful to accept your extremely generous gift.”

Darian turned cautiously. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Wonderful! We’ll make sure you have enough servants, butlers, cooks, and maids to manage the estate. Please don’t worry about a thing.”

“Whoa, hold on there. I didn’t agree to an army of people living out here with me.”

“You didn’t think you could live here on your own, did you?”

“Well I haven’t had much time to think about it now, have I?”

He chuckled. “Consider it an early birthday present.”

“I sure as heck won’t be getting a car this year. I’ll just have to settle for a house then,” she said dryly.

Darian smiled and took a sip of wine. “Marisa, my family would like to hold a ball.”

“Sounds nice.”

“On your birthday.”

“
My
birthday?”

“Yes. People from all over the country will be there. Lady Matilda and Savino would be the guests of honor. If that’s acceptable to you, of course,” he added.

Her heart sank. He was looking for an opportunity to announce his engagement to Lady Matilda. After all he’d done for her, she couldn’t refuse him now. “Sure, I guess.”

“Great! I’ll have my staff start the planning right away.”

She quietly sipped her wine. She’d probably agree to almost anything Darian put in front of her right now just to keep him happy.

“You know, Marisa,” he began, “Savino will be expecting a response from you soon. Have you made your decision yet?”

She shrugged noncommittally. “If Savino is coming to the ball, I’ll talk to him then.”

“He doesn’t know you can actually speak.”

“True. But if I don’t marry him, he’ll never know.”

He gazed at her thoughtfully. “Marisa—I, uh…”

“What?”

“I know I told you back in Abbadon that this marriage proposal is your own choice to make, and it is…”

“But?”

He avoided her eyes. “As your friend, I feel I must warn you that you should be extremely careful with Savino. He does not accept things interfering with his plans, and he is quite notorious for his tempers. Promise me that you’ll warn me before you give him your answer?”

“Why? Are you assuming I’m gonna refuse him and then he’ll beat me up? I appreciate your concern, Your Highness, but I can take care of myself. You’ve got enough problems of your own.”

“Savino
is
my problem!”

Marisa frowned. She probably deserved that.

Darian clenched his jaw and dusted the crumbs off his hands. “Would you like to see the rest of the house?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said softly.

As he led her upstairs, Marisa felt as if a wedge had just been driven between them. Clearly, he was distancing himself from her. If the tables had been turned and she had been engaged to Savino, she would have been doing the same thing. They went from room to room as he pointed out the features in each of the various bedrooms.

Half an hour later, they came back down the large staircase, and he locked the wooden door behind them. Marisa hurried across the driveway and stepped into the carriage just as fat drops of water started to pelt the carriage windows.

She glanced over her shoulder at the house one last time. It was the perfect place for her to begin a new life out from under the royal shadow of the palace. She would push Darian to let her move out of the castle as soon as possible.

As they traveled through the open spaces of the colorful countryside, neither one spoke as both were each lost in their own thoughts. Observing the houses, farms, windmills and trees on their way back toward the city, she pondered his comment about being just friends. She hoped that they could still part that way.