Page 10 of Pawns of Fate
“But why?” She played nervously with the hem of her sleeve. “And why wouldn’t you try to get Luanna married off to the heir of a marquess?”
“Well, what’s so wrong with your uncle trying to secure a good match for you!?”
Rose knew she was pushing too far, but continued to stare at her uncle skeptically. There wasn’t much for her to lose now.
Hector threw his hands up in defeat.
“Truly, Rose, I tried to offer Luanna. Nicholas asked for you specifically. I think he prefers women closer to his age.”
Nicholas had asked for herspecifically? Rose’s mind reeled. The man who’d accused her of using illicit magic on his sister-in-law had requested to marry her? Even with her uncle’s explanations, she remained wary.
Rose searched her uncle’s face for signs of deceit and found none. She wanted to use her aura to read his emotions more precisely, but Hector would be able to see it.
He scoffed. “It irked me at first, but then I realized that if this deal goes through, I’ll be able to secure Luanna an even better match.” Hector shifted his weight, leaning forward, elbows propped on his desk. “The Sharps are coming to finalize everything next week. You and Nicholas will meet for an afternoon tea at that time. Both families will celebrate your engagement dinner as long as all goes well when you meet him. The next morning, they’ll take you back to their territory, Onanish. We’ll join you there after a month to celebrate the wedding.”
Uncle certainly wasn’t wasting any time with this business. Were the Robson finances in trouble? Rose doubted that. He and Marquess Sharp were simply eager to reap all the rewards a star mine could offer.
Star crystals were useful for powering all things magical. They stored mana and could be used with elemental magic and spells, though they didn’t work well for aura users like Rose. Mages and merchants were always willing to pay top dollar for even low-quality ones.
“This is all very sudden, Uncle,” Rose whispered.
“Yes, well, that is how these things tend to go. I know you haven’t been around many noble weddings, but this is how they are usually arranged.”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
Her uncle’s silence was answer enough.
“What if Nicholas changes his mind?” she asked.
“He won’t. This match benefits both families. Much like you, he’s always been one to put his family’s needs before his own. I think you two will have quite a bit in common. Perhaps that is why he asked for you.”
Rose cast one last glance out the window. She wondered how much of this her uncle was making up to ease her fears. A nervous bride wouldn’t work for the part he needed her to play.
“I’ll send an extra maid to help you with your hair and makeup. I’m going to call your old tutor. You’ll need to review bridal etiquette. Also, join us for family dinners this week instead of having them in your room like normal.”
He must seriously need this deal to go through if he waswilling to spare maids for Roseandinvite her to the family dinners.
“Of course, Uncle.”
With that, Hector waved her out of the room. Rose’s mind spun wildly with questions—curiosities even—about the entire ploy. But she knew by the way her uncle went back to shuffling through the papers on his desk that the subject of her marriage was closed for further discussion.
Chapter 4
ROSE
Rose thought the maids had made her look quite beautiful. Even her aunt Ghislaine smiled and approved when she saw the result.
A lovely, pale yellow dress, soft curled hair, and delicate make-up all worked together to make Rose look like, well, a rose. She chuckled inwardly. This past week had been such an unusual one for her.
Typically, Rose was lucky to pick up Luanna’s leftovers. But ever since he’d announced her engagement to Nicholas, her uncle had gone to great lengths to make itlook like Rose had been treated like a princess her whole life. This past week, she’d received more attention from the Robson family and servants than she had in all the years she’d lived with them. Dresses, jewels, massages, and more were all hers at the snap of her fingers. It was manipulative behavior, but Rose wanted to enjoy the benefits instead of troubling herself. She’d soon be out of her uncle’s reach. Thank the gods.
Looking in the mirror, Rose decided the reflection was alluring and to allow herself to believe, at least for the moment, that this marriage would bring her more happiness than her life with the Robsons. She certainly looked the part of a noble lady. It wasn’t a future that made her giddy with joy, but it was undoubtedly better than her current situation.
Rose thought she’d be reasonably happy managing a castle and raising a few children for the foreseeable future. She didn’t dare hope that Nicholas would fall in love with her, but she was confident they’d build a relationship of trust and respect for each other if she could convince him to see her as a partner and not the pawn her uncle always saw. This marriage was a better hand than Rose had ever expected life to deal her. She was determined to make the most of it.
Rose sat before the vanity and held a hand over her makeup brushes, falling deeper into her thoughts.
Would she and Nicholas be physically compatible enough to do more than produce a few heirs, or even romantically compatible enough that neither partner would take on other lovers? Rose was a romantic at heart, and she always enjoyed curling up with a good love story, especially the ones aboutknights saving their loves from a dragon’s claws. But she’d never dared to hope that her own marriage would be anything more than practical and convenient for the families involved, if she ever married at all.
