Page 28 of The Lady Glass
Rolland nodded his appreciation. If he could find the vase to satisfy Theresia, find the spy to save lives and satisfy the Regent,and marry Miss Shields to satisfy his parents, then he could finally carve out some peace in his turbulent life. He’d been living for England for too long and had sacrificed home, comfort, and his own blood. Soon he could start living for himself again. If peace be at sea or at home, it did not really matter to him. But, God willing, his future would be his to lead.
Chapter 14
An entire week passed, andTheresia was on the verge of madness. Johan and his troupe had traveled north for a few more performances, leaving her behind with Mrs. Bedrich. It had bought her a bit more time in Westmorland, but the days before they would be for London were all but expired. Johan was meant to retun that evening, and they would pack up their camp come morning. How could a week have passed without a single word of assurance from Ashbury Court? She had to go back to the house and search for the vase again herself. She had trusted Rolland Reese, and he had failed her.
As if Mrs. Bedrich sensed her intentions, she sat Theresia down on a stool outside the tent, Poutník circling her, and handed Theresia a koláce. Theresia took a large bite, hoping to satisfy her emotions along with her stomach, and fed the dog a piece too. But before she could eat any more, a footman with His Grace’s livery rode up.
“Stay here.” Mrs. Bedrich’s voice held no nonsense. She tied her pink scarf over her hair and approached the rider. She returned a moment later with a missive.
“It’s for you, my zlato.”
Finally! Theresia jumped to her feet and set her half-eaten roll down on the stool for Poutník. “My vase! He must’ve found it!” She dusted her trembling hands off on her dress and accepted the parchment. Somehow she managed to unfold it. After scanning the contents, she swallowed.
Mrs. Bedrich took a step closer. “What is it? Good news or bad?”
Theresia glanced up at Mrs. Bedrich. “My vase hasn’t been found, but the captain would like to discuss his ideas on the matter. He requests I meet him at one o’clock this afternoon at Rose Cottage, the small house before Ashbury Court. He saidyou may accompany me for propriety’s sake.”
“Meet him? Then, he will finally confess?” Mrs. Bedrich clapped her hands together. “I knew he had love in his gaze when he looked at you. The fortune-teller saw it too.”
Theresia gave a short laugh. “It’s not like that between us. We are only friends who are thrown together over and over again in the worst possible circumstances.”
“Love has to start somewhere, no?”
Theresia shook her head vigorously. “No. Not here. I am returning to our homeland, remember? It is there I will find my match.” The captain might be a good man, but he barely tolerated her. Just like Mrs. Stone. Just like her stepmother. That was not what she wanted for the rest of her life.
Mrs. Bedrich covered Theresia’s hands with her own. “No one spends a week talking about a man she does not care for.”
“Really, Mrs. Bedrich. I only mentioned him a time or two.” Hadn’t she?
“A time or two every hour of every day.” Mrs. Bedrich put her hand to her heart and attempted to mimic Theresia’s voice. “‘How can a man be so strong? Is he always so serious, do you think? I bet he dances like an ox. Would you think his eyes more hazel or brown? Do you think he would be more handsome if he smiled?’”
Theresia grimaced, but her cheeks warmed without her permission. “So he caught my attention. What am I to do? I am camping with the Roma and am far beneath him. Just look at me. I am in need of a good bath and a few less koláce rolls.”
Mrs. Bedrich shrugged. “Johan returns tomorrow. I cannot leave you alone here, and I doubt you would leave without your vase. This might be your only hope. Besides, you are too fine for this sort of life. You were born for more.”
Moisture gathered at the corners of Theresia’s eyes. “Differences aside, I will meet him to discuss the particulars. Formy vase, of course.”
“But you must show him you are interested in him. Do not waste any time being subtle with your feelings.”
“Feelings?” Theresia sputtered. “Mrs. Bedrich!”
The woman waved a short, thick finger at Theresia. “At times like these, a man is more important than a vase.”
The captain probably had a dozen women fawning over him, and whomever he chose would be most fortunate. But Theresia had thought and dreamed of only one thing all these years—to retrieve her vase and return home. Rolland might be impossibly handsome with an unexplainable penchant for protecting her, but at the end of the day, he owed her no promise. No matter how smoldering his gaze was, she couldn’t rely on any Englishman to secure her future.
Despite what Mrs. Bedrich said, Theresia’s vase was her only security for her future.
***
Rose Cottage was everything a country cottage should be, with a quaint white fence lining the perimeter, a neat garden, and large willows framing the back. Rolland had never been inside the cottage before, but when he entered, he felt at ease. The tidy sitting room was small but elegant. Beautiful landscaped paintings hung from every wall, and evidence of the owners’ needlework were everywhere: the blanket draped over the sewing basket, the lace on the mantel, and the embroidered pillows. The only thing needing to be remedied was the window. He pushed it ajar, and the room filled with fresh air. Now he was content to wait on the sofa in solitude.
Except he couldn’t relax. He sat back in the chair by the fireplace and shifted again and again. What was this nervous anticipation he was experiencing? It certainly wasn’t because he was to see Theresia again. Not that window-climbing, vase-obsessed woman that the fortune-teller had predicted he’d have a dozen children with.
He scowled and forced himself to think of Marcus. This cottage belonged to the duke and his wife’s family. Everyone referred to the residents of Rose Cottage as the ducal aunts, and Rolland felt like he should know them since they were so often talked of. Unfortunately, they had traveled to the seaside, and he would have to make their acquaintance another time, but Marcus had generously opened up their house for Rolland to use for a meeting place with Theresia. If anyone discovered them, it would be quite the scandal.
Then maybe those twelve children would come to fruition when he was forced to marry her to save her reputation. He could think of worse things, oddly enough, but that certainly wouldn’t happen. Marcus had directed Rolland to hide his horse some distance away, so who would guess he was here?
It was a risky, crazed idea of his, for certain, but he had to trust that his proposed ruse would save lives. Every day that brought them closer to the Congress of Vienna brought a sense of urgency with it. Some risks had to be taken.
