The Carnelian Legacy (35 page)

“I deeply regret the fact you don’t feel at home here with us,” Darian said, swirling the wine in his glass. “I had looked forward to dancing with you tomorrow night.”

“Been there, done that,” Marisa muttered under her breath.

Awkward silence.

Arrie motioned to Adalina, and without a word, the two of them stood up and went inside. Marisa pulled the cape around her and lifted the hood over her head as tears stung her eyes.

“I thought you were fitting in quite well, all things considered,” Darian said as he stared out over the horizon. “I’m sorry to hear you don’t feel welcome.”

“I never said I didn’t feel welcome.”

He finished the last of his wine and set the glass down on the table, sighing heavily. “Now that we’re alone, what is the real reason you don’t want to go to the ball?”

Marisa swallowed hard. He was calling her bluff. “I already told you. Since none of my family will be there, I just want to move on and start a new life on my own.”

“But why
before
the ball? It’s only one more day.”

“Your Highness, you’ve done a lot for me, and I appreciate it, honestly I do. But you’re royalty and I’m not. I’m not a member of your family, and I never will be.”

Unless I marry Savino.

Darian pulled his chair closer. “I hope you’ll reconsider and come tomorrow night.”

“I can’t make any promises,” she said softly.

“If you do not wish to stay in the castle beyond tomorrow, we can arrange for your arrival at Castle Beauriél the day after tomorrow. But at least allow us to celebrate your birthday with you. Won’t you please do that for me?”

Marisa remembered her promise. She owed it to him.

“I promise,” she said quietly.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Darian replied.

“But after that, I’m gone.”

He shifted uncomfortably. “I should probably tell you that Savino was inquiring after you this afternoon. He seems rather anxious to see you.”

“Oh.”

“That reminds me—I believe I owe you a word of thanks for informing us about the poison. In fact, I may just owe you my life.”

“Now we’re even,” she said, remembering their encounters with the rijgen
and the
yarmout. “Did you find out what Savino is planning?”

“Yes. He’s trying to kill me.” He stood abruptly. “Good night.”

“Darian, wait—”

He stopped in his tracks. “Yes?”

“I, uh, mean Your Highness,” she stammered. “Are you okay with me marrying Savino?”

Darian paused. “Why should it matter what I think?”

“Because we’re friends. I care what you think.”
Give me a reason—give me a reason not to marry Savino
.

Long pause.

“Marisa, I told you that I cannot influence your decision one way or another. You need to do what is right for you.”

Silence.

“I bid you goodnight, milady. You have a big day tomorrow, so make sure you get some rest.”

“Goodnight, Sire,” she said flatly. Darian turned to go back inside. Marisa stared up at the full moon and it seemed to almost tease her. She went into her chambers and took off the black dress. Slipping the nightgown over her head, she blew out the candles around the room and climbed into bed.

As she lay waiting for sleep to come, she could still see the bright light of the moon shining through her window. Savoring the fact that she would be eighteen when she woke up the next morning, her mind wandered for a while before at last she drifted off.

At last, she would be calling the shots.

CHAPTER 26

SURROGATES

THERE
WAS
A
LOUD
,
impatient knock at the door. Still half-asleep, Marisa squinted at her phone and groaned. It read 6:23 a.m. She stumbled across the room and opened the door. It was Arrie, shifting uncomfortably with a look of worry on his face.

“Marisa, I am terribly sorry to wake you so early, but something rather serious has happened during the night. Would you please get dressed as quickly as possible and come downstairs?”

“Can’t it wait?” she asked, irritated.

“No, I’m afraid it’s extremely urgent. Shall I wait for you down in the Blue Room while you dress?”

“Yeah, okay, hang on.” Marisa sighed. “I’ll be down there in a few minutes.” She wondered what sort of crisis would make him drag her out of bed so early.

She pulled on the first dress she could find and hastily braided her hair. Reaching for one of the slippers she’d worn the day before, she flung it across the floor in frustration when she couldn’t find its mate. She grabbed a different pair of shoes and hurried down to the Blue Room in her bare feet. Marisa opened the door.

“Surprise!” People shouted from around the room.

“Oh, wow!” Her hands flew to her flushed face.

“Well, I guess you weren’t expecting that, were you?” Arrie said, laughing. Adalina, Darian, Helena, and Cinzia all smiled in amusement at the bewildered look on her face.

“What is all this?” she asked, punching Arrie playfully in the arm. She saw the pile of wrapped presents. The table was dressed with a white linen tablecloth and a perfect, two-tiered birthday cake with pale yellow icing stood in the middle as its centerpiece.

“I became familiar with the surprise party tradition during my time on Earth, and we all decided it would be fun to throw you one,” Arrie explained.

“But we’re already having the ball. Why do I need a party too?”

Darian stepped forward. “You said it wouldn’t be the same without your family here to celebrate,” he said, smiling at her. “So for today, we want you to consider us your family.”

Marisa stared at him, stunned. “I don’t know what to say. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

“Happy birthday, sister,” Adalina said, laughing. “Now come open your presents. Here, the first one is from my mother and me.”

Cinzia beckoned to Marisa to sit next to her on the sofa.

Marisa removed the pretty purple fabric to discover a hand-carved music box. She opened the lid and listened as it played a beautiful melody.

“It’s so beautiful! Thank you so much,” she said to Adalina and Helena. Next, Cinzia handed her a present wrapped in silver and blue fabric. Marisa peeled off the beautiful covering to find a lovely purple mask covered in sparkling beads and feathers with a long satin handle.

“It matches your ball gown, my dear,” said Cinzia.

“Thank you, Baroness! I can’t wait to wear it tonight!”

“Time to open my gift, Marisa,” Arrie said, handing her something heavy wrapped in brown parchment.

“Hmm, feels like a book.”

“Hey, how did you guess?” Arrie asked, disappointed.

She smiled and tore the paper off. “It’s
The Jane Austen Treasury
. Oh, Arrie! How did you know that I love Jane Austen?”

He smiled proudly. “It was just a wild guess. I know how popular Ms. Austen’s writings are back on Earth, so I figured you probably liked her as well.”

“But where in the world did you ever find this?”

“Celino had a copy for me.”

“Thank you—I love it!” Marisa said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Marisa, there’s one more gift on the table,” said Adalina. “I think you can probably guess who it’s from.” She nudged Darian. He picked up the gift and shyly handed it to Marisa.

“You already gave me a castle. I don’t think there’s any way to top that,” Marisa said. She briefly ran her fingers along the canary-and-white striped fabric before she removed it. Inside was a hand-carved, square wooden box.

Lifting the velvet-lined lid, Marisa gasped when she saw the same amethyst necklace and earrings set that she had tried on in the jewelry store. The purple stones glittered and sparkled as they caught the rays of morning sunshine.

“I don’t know what to say, Your Highness. It’s so beautiful.”

“I am told they match your gown perfectly,” Darian said, beaming at her.

“Thank you, sire.” Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek.

“Happy birthday,” he whispered softly in her ear.

The hairs on Marisa’s neck stood on end. Not wanting to give his family the wrong impression, she quickly stepped back. “Thank you, everyone,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’m so honored to have you as my surrogate family today.”

“Now let’s eat a piece of that cake before we go down to breakfast,” Adalina said, laughing.

After everyone had eaten a slice of the delicious cake, they all headed down to the dining room. Darian escorted Marisa down the corridor and helped her with her chair at the table. There was no sign of Savino and Matilda, so they started without the da Rocas. A half hour later, Savino and Lady Matilda appeared in the doorway.

“Ah, there is my darling,” Savino said. He strode over to Marisa and kissed her sensuously on the mouth.

Adalina and Helena’s jaws dropped in shock. Darian grabbed Savino’s arm tightly. “Milady was just leaving the table, Savino. Today is her big day, and she has much to prepare for,” he said, scowling.

“Now what kind of welcome is that for your cousin, Darian? Am I not even allowed to kiss my own fiancée?”

“You assume too much, Savino,” Darian shot back angrily. “Come, Lady Marisa. I will show you back to your chambers.”

Savino watched them leave with a stunned expression.

Once they reached her door, Darian turned to leave. “Milady, I shall see you later.”

“Do you want to come in for a few minutes?” Marisa asked.

Darian hesitated. “Perhaps just for a few minutes.” He sat down on the couch and spied her ball gown hanging in the corner. “You are going to look very beautiful in that dress this evening.”

She smiled. “Leonora did an amazing job.”

“Anna, may we have some tea?” Darian asked.

“Right away, Your Highness,” Anna said. The young woman curtseyed and soon they were alone.

He looked at her with a serious expression. “Marisa, I really want to apologize for my neglect of you over the past few days.”

“Neglect?”

“Well, I haven’t been a very good host since we came back to Crocetta. Unfortunately, I’ve been occupied with extremely urgent matters.”

“I understand, sire.”

“Are you becoming acquainted with our way of life?” he asked.

Marisa studied him thoughtfully. His guard had been raised once again and now he was just making small talk. All of a sudden, she felt foolish.

“I guess. But I think it’s gonna take me awhile to get used to things. I like Castle Beauriél and am planning to move in tomorrow morning if that’s still possible.”

“Tomorrow?” he asked, surprised. “Still you are so anxious to leave us? Marisa, are all the members of my household staff treating you well?”

“Yes, no—that’s not it. Everyone’s been just great.”

“I deeply regret the fact that we got off to a rough start a few weeks ago. I’ve been trying extremely hard to make it up to you.”

“I know you have,” she answered.

Anna returned with a tray of tea and gently set it on the table. Darian quickly dismissed her. He poured a cup and handed it to Marisa.

“We’ve been through quite a lot together, and it feels almost as if you’ve become a member of our family.” He stirred his tea and paused, searching for the right words. “Marisa, I would like to say just one more thing. No matter what happens this evening, I want you to know that I shall never forget these weeks we’ve spent together. And I shall always treasure your friendship.”

She nodded and took a sip of tea. The regret in his eyes was clear. This was his way of saying good-bye. She’d once heard that if you love something, you should set it free. It was time to set him free.
But I love you, Darian, and I don’t want to let go.
She choked down her tears.

“Why are you crying?” he said. “You cannot cry today—it’s your birthday.”

“I always cry on my birthday. Why break tradition?”

“Oh, that reminds me—before I go, I have something for you.”

“I don’t want anything else,” she said.

“Just wait until you see what it is.” He hurried out the door but returned a few moments later holding a terracotta pot with a small white flower. “Marisa, please take this to remember our time together. It is my sincere hope that it blooms for you soon.”

“It’s the wounded heart,” she said, laughing through her tears.

She set the pot down and embraced him tightly knowing she would never find another man to equal him.

“I really must go back down now. I promised to take Lady Matilda for a walk after breakfast. Don’t forget that we’re all meeting later today for a trip out on the lake. Arrie shall fetch you.”

Marisa nodded and shut the door. She gazed down at the wounded heart. The flower was still shut tight with its ugly brown center. The irony of the plant’s name didn’t escape her. Her own heart had been mortally wounded.