Page 18 of Forbidden Noble
Rossie always loved making the world beautiful. She’d worked in weddings and now she was making her own mark with this blue room. The rest of the house must also be in a state of transition as Rossie was likely to change things around.
Maybe Clara would ask Rossie for her help in making her own home stylish. She said quietly, “Astorre said it’s haunted.”
Rossie laughed like Clara had just told her a joke. “Now I really want to go.”
Clara sucked in her bottom lip and met her friend’s gaze. This wasn’t meant to be a joke, but she'd made the same mistake. “He said his father killed his mother there.”
Rossie froze like she’d been caught off guard. “Oh. Well, being as it's been the scene of a crime dampers my enthusiasm. But if any wife can understand parents' deaths, you’re perfect for him.”
Clara hugged her sides so Rossie didn’t see how her hands had clenched at her light-hearted remark. “My parents died when I was an infant. My adoptive parents died in a car crash. It’s not the same thing as murder.”
Rossie rested her finger against her cheek in thought. “No, it’s not, but it’s still loss…"
It was true that Clara understood Astorre, and he did her, too. She couldn't stay upset with Rossie, who hadn't meant any harm.
"I see that you’re actually happy.”
Time to tell the truth. There was part of Clara that wasn’t the same, and she owed that to Astorre. “I’m… I’ve been kissed.”
Rossie snapped her fingers like she’d just heard the best news ever. “You’ve been more than kissed. I just hope he keeps you this happy.”
The door behind them squeaked as Astorre said, “That’s my intention.”
“I didn’t know you were back.” Clara hoped that her body wouldn't give her away and start to tremble.
Both men walked into the room. Astorre said, “We finished our talk. Stephano made sure the palace received notification so anyone who might challenge our marriage will be stopped.”
Rossie gave her husband a pointed gaze as Clara asked, “Challenged? Seriously?”
Rossie turned toward her and explained, “You both took off. Stephano’s friend, Matteo, married Sheena--and her ex showed up, so apparently the marriage can be challenged.”
That didn’t apply for her. “Well, I don’t have an ex.”
Astorre squeezed her shoulder from his stance behind her. “I made no promises to any other woman. I was intent on dropping my claim to my inheritance, and banishment.”
No one was goingto challenge Astorre or her so this was a non-issue. Rossie arrived at the same conclusion when she said, “So yours shouldn’t be a problem. Where did you go after Sheena’s wedding? You’ve been gone for two weeks.”
“Astorre decided to take me on a European tour since you were busy. We went to Paris, Venice, Florence, Barcelona and then we married in Gibraltar,” Clara said.
Thatalmostsounded romantic.
Stephano patted her husband’s arm and said, “Astorre, I’m supposed to show you the balcony.”
Interesting. Rossie clearly wanted them to be alone and had already figured out how to communicate without a word to her husband.
Once the men left, Rossie sat back. “So why didn’t you answer for weeks, not just a day?”
Heat rose inside her and she wasn’t sure how to explain. She relaxed into her chair and stared at the afternoon sunshine outside the window. “I…for once in my life, I was enjoying myself and not worrying about anything. I didn’t want to be reminded this was all short-term. Now it’s not, and never will I be Clara the unfortunate again.”
Rossie had a gleam in her eyes as she asked, “Because you’re in love now?”
Flutters grew in her stomach and her skin broke into a sweat. She swallowed and shook her head as she wasn’t sure how to answer. “I… let’s not talk about that. I'm going to assess Astorre's home and then figure out what I want to tackle first. I might need your help in the house. His sister lives there so I need to ensure I don’t step on any toes while we're adjusting.”
“I’ll always help you.” Rossie leaned closer and asked, “So he doesn’t know how you feel?”
Rossie wasn’t going to give up. Clara’s heart raced but she said, “I’m not even sure what I feel so, no.”
"Hmm." Rossie tapped her cheek. There was a knock at the door and Stephano popped his head in. “Are you ladies ready for lunch?”
