Page 67 of Legacy of Roses

“What’s the alternative? Lock ourselves in our rooms and never come out again? Abandon the manor and let him have everything?”

“We could go get help.”

“Without even knowing for sure if he’s here? Who would help us when he hasn’t actually done anything to us yet?”

“You call abducting you nothing?” he asked hotly.

She shrugged. “He didn’t hurt me, so we don’t have any proof that ever happened. If we race into town and claim Jace is back, that he kidnapped me and now he’s broken into the manor, it might bring people running. But if they then find that he’s not here, it will make the whole story seem suspect. They’ll think I’m jumping at shadows and exaggerating, and next time we ask for help, they’ll be reluctant to come. We can’t go and raise an army to defend the castle until we know for sure there’s actually an invading force.”

She grimaced. “I’m sure that’s why Jace has been careful not to attract attention so far. He doesn’t want to give us evidence until he’s gotten what he wants and made it far away.”

Dimitri frowned at her words. His gut feeling told him that even if Jace got his hands on the gold, he wouldn’t be that easy to shake off. But he didn’t say it aloud.

“Maybe I should go on my own,” he said instead. “We don’t know how Jace will react if he sees you.”

“If seeing me might put him off balance, that’s a point of advantage to us. And even if not, it’s better to have two than only one. So let’s stop wasting time and find out who opened that door.”

Dimitri hesitated a moment longer, frowning at the door. Should he lock it again or leave it ajar?

With a sigh he left it, turning to join Rosalie. If their intruder had reinforcements, he’d already had ample time to get them inside. Better to leave the exit open in case whoever it was decided to leave on their own. He would rather have half the castle pilfered than lock a threat inside with Rosalie.

They walked to the main dining room in tense silence. Neither of them had spent much time in the room since it contained little beside the enormous table and an equally long sideboard. They were both familiar with its location, however, and they entered the room at the same time.

“Well, well, well,” an amused voice said slowly. “The master and mistress of the manor have finally arrived.”

Jace lounged across the enormous carved chair at the head of the table, his leg flung across one of its arms. He clapped mockingly, his eyes sliding to Rosalie and their expression darkening slightly. “Someone’s being keeping secrets, I see.”

Dimitri stepped in front of Rosalie, one arm lifting slightly in a shielding gesture. Jace’s grin in response sent a shiver down Dimitri’s back.

“I’ve been extraordinarily patient, don’t you think?” Jace drawled. “But I thought it was time to have a look for myself. So kind of you to leave the door open for me.”

Dimitri frowned. Jace had found the door open? That couldn’t be right.

Jace stood in one swift motion, stepping toward them. Dimitri retreated further down the room, sweeping Rosalie behind him as he drew his sword.

Jace ignored the weapon, speaking to Rosalie over Dimitri’s shoulder. “You’re a resourceful girl, Rose.”

Dimitri felt her shudder at the nickname.

“When your brothers brought me the coin, I didn’t know what to think. But I see you did the sensible thing after all.”

His eyes strayed to Dimitri, and he laughed. “It suits him, don’t you think?”

“What are you doing here, Jace?” Rosalie asked coldly.

Dimitri didn’t have to turn and look at her to picture the glare she was giving Jace. She had directed it at him often enough in the past.

“What am I doing here?” Jace affected surprise. “You were never a stupid girl, Rosalie.” He paused and laughed again. “Not in most areas, anyway. Surely you’ve worked it out?” He cocked his head to the side and gave her a half smile. “Isn’t that why you were keeping all this a secret?” He made a circular gesture to encompass both Rosalie’s presence and Dimitri’s changed form. “Don’t tell me you’ve been enjoying yourself playing house with a Beast?”

Rosalie stiffened behind Dimitri but said nothing.

“You are trespassing here and are not welcome,” Dimitri said coldly, keeping his blade steady. “Leave immediately, or I’ll forcibly eject you.”

“Trespassing?” Jace’s eyebrows rose. “That’s a heavy word between friends.”

“We are not friends!” Rosalie said in an impassioned voice, but he ignored her.

“The door was open,” Jace continued. “I merely came to give a neighborly visit to the newcomer in the region.”

---