Page 38 of Legacy of Roses

Rosalie stiffened, shoving against his chest so forcefully that he lost his balance and staggered back. She shook out her skirts, brushing herself off and giving him a disdainful look.

“You’ll have what is owed you, don’t worry about that.”

She stalked away, as she had wanted to do earlier, careful not to look behind her. Jace’s low laugh floated after her.

“Oh, I’m sure I will. I always get what is owed me.”

Chapter 12

Rosalie

Rosalie hurried down the main street, surreptitiously glancing around as she tried to regulate her pace. She could no longer see the men from earlier, but it was harder to shake the creeping sensation of being watched. She suspected it would take a long time to disappear.

When she finally reached the central square, she caught sight of Daphne’s door opening. Dashing the final steps, she threw herself at her friend and grabbed one of her arms.

“Daphne, you have to come with me,” she said, desperate for a companion.

Daphne regarded her with an expression that was part suspicion, part concern. “I’ll come with you, of course, but where are we going?” Her eyes narrowed further. “It isn’t far, is it?”

Despite everything, Rosalie laughed. She had thought it would take a long time to feel normal again, but apparently her friend’s presence was enough. Very little fazed Daphne.

“Don’t worry, I’m only going to the Mortar and Pestle,” Rosalie assured her.

Daphne relaxed. “That’s all right, then.” Her brow creased. “But why are you going there? Afternoon tea and cake isn’t reallyyour style.” She looked at her friend more closely. “Is something wrong? You look a little odd. Even for you.”

“Even for me?” Rosalie started to protest but cut herself off. “Never mind all that. I’m all right. I’m going there to find Blythe. I need…” She hesitated. “I need to ask her something.”

“You need to askBlythesomething?” Daphne’s eyebrows rose, but Rosalie didn’t explain, and Daphne didn’t press her.

Rosalie wasn’t ready to tell Daphne about being accosted by Jace—not when that would mean telling the whole tale of her brother’s sorry mess as well. Daphne would find out soon enough, but Rosalie was still trying to recover her equilibrium before facing Blythe.

“Do we have to go so fast?” Daphne complained, but Rosalie continued to propel them both forward at speed.

She couldn’t slow down. Having Daphne beside her helped, but she’d feel even better when they were off the open street. She hated knowing the eyes of Jace or his men might be on her at any moment.

They dodged a carriage leaving the inn and wove around another one arriving, finally reaching the sanctuary of the door. Rosalie thrust it open and nearly tumbled inside, out of breath.

The midday crowd inside the dining room had dispersed, but as usual there was still a smattering of clients visiting for the Mortar and Pestle’s famous cakes. A chorus of giggles drew her eyes to a particularly large cluster of people. They had pulled several small tables together, allowing Blythe to hold court at the center of the group. But while Rosalie had expected to see Blythe, she hadn’t expected the person sitting at her side.

Rosalie stood rooted to the spot, staring at Dimitri. What was he doing at the Mortar and Pestle of all places? After all her warnings, he was not only brazenly wandering around Thebarton, but he had stopped to flirt with Blythe and herfriends. It was just like the first time she’d seen him in the square.

Her hands balled into fists as fresh anger swept over her. The emotion sprang up easily, already lurking just below the surface after her encounter with Jace.

Was Dimitri determined to flaunt the Legacy at every turn? Even if her words hadn’t been enough alone, he had seen Jace and his men for himself. He had to know the danger he was in. And yet here he was, leaving the castle unguarded while he wiled his time away flirting. Did he truly care so little about the people of Thebarton?

Rosalie instantly deflated. Of course he didn’t care. She had known Dimitri was ignorant and self-absorbed from the beginning. If she had briefly forgotten his true nature, that was her foolishness. She had no reason to be so disappointed at seeing him there.

The last time they had seen each other, she had allowed herself to soften toward him. His escort home had made her feel safe, and she had thanked him sincerely. While she had hoped to never see him again, she had been glad they could part with goodwill on both sides. But assuming that was their final farewell had been foolish.

Dimitri clearly had no intention of doing anything as sensible as leaving. She shouldn’t have allowed herself to weaken toward him just because his arms were strong, and his eyes danced with gold when he smiled at her.

She straightened her back, lifting her chin.

“Oh look, it’s Dimitri,” Daphne said, apparently oblivious to Rosalie’s internal turmoil. “And he’s with Blythe. Perfect.”

She tugged Rosalie in their direction. For once Rosalie was the one trailing reluctantly behind. But she couldn’t allow herself to be scared off by Dimitri’s presence.

“Rosalie!” Blythe cried in affected delight. “You came after all. And you brought Daphne as well. How lovely.” She turned to her friends. “Rosalie came by to see my parents earlier, so of course I invited her to join us.”

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