Page 25 of Legacy of Roses

She tried again. “I appreciate you walking us home. I’m not usually so weak-hearted, but after…” She trailed off. “Anyway, I really did appreciate it. Daphne did as well.”

For this one service at least, she could thank him with good grace—even if he had lingered around for praise and acknowledgment at the end. At least he’d had the sense not to bring the abduction up to her brothers when she didn’t mention it.

“I’m happy to provide that service any time you need,” he said.

She raised both hands in alarm. “No, no! It would be better if we never saw each other again. Good night, and I hope you have a successful life.”

She rushed inside and closed the door firmly behind her.

Chapter 8

Dimitri

Three brothers!Dimitri mused as he walked slowly back to the castle. They’d looked close in age, too—to each other, if not to Rosalie. What would it be like to have three younger brothers? He’d always wanted siblings, but since he’d never known his father, that had been unlikely.

He would have loved to say yes to their request and give them a tour of the castle—even if he hadn’t yet explored the entire thing himself. He could have used the opportunity to find out more about Rosalie.

But given the circumstances, he had to admit she was right. After everything that had happened—and given his own obvious ignorance—tempting the Legacy seemed like a foolhardy idea. He would have to make a different plan. One that would let him learn more about her without putting Rosalie or her family at risk.

With that intention in mind, he headed back to the town center the next day. When he walked past Rosalie’s cottage, he kept his attention on the door and garden, but no one emerged.

Moments after reaching the central square, however, the door of the largest and most elaborate house opened. A youngwoman with a vaguely familiar face came skipping down the steps. It took him a moment to place her name.

Blythe, he remembered, just in time to greet her.

She giggled, affecting surprise at seeing him, although he’d seen the curtain inside the front window twitch as he’d stepped into the square. At least her enthusiasm made his role as a newcomer much easier.

He gave her what he hoped was a charming smile. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to assist me? I’ve come into Thebarton for supplies but don’t know the best place to buy them.”

“Oh, you’ll want one of the general stores for that!” she said with enthusiasm. “My family owns several, and the largest and best is right on this square. Over there.” She pointed at a building in the far corner, just distant enough that he hadn’t noticed it previously.

“How perfect!” he said, relieved there was no chance of his getting lost. “And could you perhaps direct me toward a reputable inn as well—preferably one where the reputation comes from the excellence of their dining room? I have a strong hankering for a proper meal.” His smile widened in anticipation. He had been eating travel rations for too many days.

“Oh you can’t possibly eat at an inn alone on your first proper visit into town!” Blythe cried. “You must come and eat the midday meal at our house!”

“I couldn’t possibly intrude,” Dimitri said, a little alarmed.

“Oh, nonsense.” Blythe beamed at him. “I’m inviting you on my mama’s behalf—I know she would absolutely insist. You can’t disappoint her. And Papa will be glad to meet you too. He’s been talking about how he really should visit and welcome you to the area.”

Dimitri relaxed at the news that her parents would be at the meal as well. If her father really was determined to meet him, itwould be better to acquiesce and get the introduction out of the way. He wasn’t ready for a stream of house callers at the manor.

“Very well, then.” He gave a shallow bow. “I thank you for your hospitality.”

She giggled and took his arm, dragging him toward her front door. He allowed himself to be tugged along but extracted his arm as soon as they were inside.

True to Blythe’s words, an older woman appeared and welcomed him enthusiastically. She looked startlingly similar to her daughter and seemed alike in thought as well. She seconded her daughter’s invitation heartily, and the last of Dimitri’s misgivings faded away.

Madam Foster was soon joined by her husband who added his own welcome. Before Dimitri knew it, he was sitting down to an impressive spread in a large formal dining room.

Dimitri had grown up in a small two-bedroom cottage, and he couldn’t help being impressed at both the room and the food. Although there were many rooms at the manor that were larger and more impressive, they still had an empty, abandoned air. He was a long way from hosting dinner parties in any of them.

The elder Fosters were unlike the adults he had grown up around in the mountains. Their affectations were exaggerated, and they had an obvious taste for luxury at odds with the mountain community’s austere lifestyle. But beneath the surface mannerisms, they seemed genuinely warmhearted. He even caught glimpses of the shrewd business minds that had propelled them to their place as the richest family in Thebarton.

At only one point did awkwardness descend on the table. Despite Dimitri’s attempts at subtlety, his first reference to Rosalie’s family elicited an immediate negative response. He hadn’t expected his hosts’ closed hostility or their rapid attempts to change the subject. He couldn’t think why, but they almost seemed afraid, and he had no choice but to let the subject drop.

When they had finally finished all the courses, he excused himself. All three of them escorted him to the door and lingered to wish him farewell.

“Let them know at the store that we sent you,” Blythe’s mother said. “They’ll be sure to take extra care of you.”

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