Page 35 of A Touch of Charm
“Nobody else sees it that way.”
“Perhaps not, but it’s your life. At least until you marry, and your husband dictates what you may do.” She sighed.
“What is it that yours won’t let you do?”
Anna looked out the window and blinked profusely. Was she trying not to cry in front of a princess, or was there another reason for the emotions she seemed to try to hide?
“I was rather hoping to search for someone,” Anna murmured, each word heavy with melancholy.
“Who is it?” The thought of being trapped in a loveless marriage had been terrifying enough, but now, considering losing one’s flame and then being trapped was unbearably cruel. “A flame from your past?” Thea pressed on as the feeling of commonalities with Anna grew into warm friendship in Thea’s heart.
“No, my brother. We lost him, but perhaps he’s not dead. How could I ever stop trying to find him?”
“Of course you cannot.” Thea couldn’t fathom the thought of losing one of her brothers, she’d undoubtedly try anything in her power to find them.
“My husband won’t entertain the thought. He said it’s not his responsibility to search, and I… I loathe him for this, Thea.” Anna covered her mouth with one hand. “I’ve never spoken the words aloud, but it’s true.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and she wiped it with the hand already on her face.
A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the distant chirping of birds outside and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze that made the light flicker in the room.
Thea wished she could help Anna and suggest ways to put out the word about a missing person.
“I will speak to my brother and ask if he can aid your search,” Thea said.
“No, if he’s injured, let him heal. This is something I can’t share with… Hohenzollern, you said?” Anna cast Thea a questioning look, and Thea nodded.
“You are connected to Prince Ralph?”
Thea tasted acid. “He’s the one I’m running away from.”
Anna tilted her head back and her chin up.
Surely, Thea had misspoken now, and she already regretted trusting Anna. It was just that her eyes were so warm, and a certain familiarje ne sais quoiprevented Thea from putting her guard up.
After a few moments, Anna spoke again, her tone more serious. “I shall help you hide.”
Thea inhaled deeply, her chest filling with renewed hope that she’d found a new friend indeed.
“I know him, and he would make a worse husband than even mine. He’s his distant cousin, I’m afraid.
“You know, I must admit, I wasn’t expecting company today,” Anna said warmly. “The best connections often start in the most unexpected ways.”
The simple conversation and shared understanding brought a sense of belonging that Thea hadn’t realized she was missing.
As they continued to chat, the afternoon light shifted, casting long shadows across the room. Thea felt a contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of being exactly where she was meant to be.
“Would you like to stay for tea, after all?” Anna asked, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I promise it will be much more enjoyable with company.”
Thea smiled, her heart light. “I would love that, Anna. Thank you.”
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Thea and Anna sat together, sharing stories and companionship, forging a bond that Thea knew would carry them through the challenges ahead.
Chapter Fourteen
The next day,it seemed nothing was unfolding as Andre had anticipated. Sleep had evaded him the previous night, leaving him restless and awake before dawn. By seven o’clock, he had already visited the Patisserie de La Loire, a charming bakery nestled near his practice. He had collected a parcel of delicate madeleines, their sweet vanilla aroma a small comfort as he held the parcel in his lap during the carriage ride to Cloverdale House.
Upon arriving at his treatment room at the rehabilitation center, Mary’s delighted smile greeted him.
“This smells so good!” She beamed. “Did you hear that my parents sent word that I can stay as long as I like?”
