Page 25 of The Retreat

I don’t like being called dear. It may be a habit of Cora’s, but it sounds faintly condescending the way she says it. I get the feeling she’s toying with me, that she’s humoring me by loaning me her precious books, but is hoping I don’t probe too deep.

“No. I’ll read these and let you know if I have questions.”

“Please do,” she murmurs, already turning away, but not before I glimpse genuine fear.

Chapter18

Cora

THEN

I’m cradlingmy baby daughter in one of the foyer’s many nooks when Spencer approaches. My spine stiffens, as it inevitably does when we interact these days. It’s been nine months since I married Harlan in an intimate ceremony in the orchard, a mere month after he proposed, with only his parents, Spencer, and Daphne in attendance. I fake smiled through the entire thing, reciting empty vows and pretending to stare at my husband in adoration.

His parents had been tight-lipped, and I still don’t know what Harlan said to them to get them to approve of the marriage. I assumed he’d told them I was pregnant, and they didn’t want an illegitimate child in the family.

I’d slept with Harlan the same day I accepted his outlandish proposal, ensuring that when my pregnancy was confirmed there was no question it was his.

Spencer asked me about the paternity once, the day after Harlan announced our engagement to everyone, but I reassured him Harlan was the baby’s father and thankfully, my beautiful Ava had arrived two weeks late, so the timelines blurred.

I hate how I’ve hurt this man, because the moment I told Spencer I was marrying Harlan I saw the spark in his eyes die. But with Ava two months old now, I’m glad I made the decision I did. Being Harlan’s wife gives me kudos and respect when I’ve never commanded either in my life. I’m besotted with Ava, as are her grandparents, and while I may not love my husband, I’m grateful for the stability our marriage provides.

When Spencer nears, I see he’s ashen and dread settles like a rock in the pit of my stomach.

“What’s happened? Is it Harlan?”

Spencer shakes his head. “There’s been a boating accident. Magnus and Helga were the only ones onboard.” His breath hitches and he blinks rapidly. “They’re dead.”

Shock makes me tighten my grip and Ava gives a soft mewl before settling again. “How did it happen?”

“There was an explosion…” He shakes his head. “Harlan’s dealing with the police. He’s taking care of everything.”

Of course he is. For someone only a few years older than me, he’s twenty-three going on forty. I’ve never met anyone so responsible.

“How is he?”

“Coping surprisingly well, though he broke down on the dock.” Spencer grimaces. “Apparently he saw it happen.”

A hint of foreboding tiptoes across the back of my neck. Harlan had told me he’d be spending the morning overseeing grafting in the orchard. What was he doing on the dock?

But I don’t want to question Spencer and rouse his suspicions. Mine are bad enough. “How terrible for him.”

“You know what this means, don’t you?”

“What?”

“You and Harlan are now the new owners of Arcania.” His gaze sweeps the foyer before settling on me again. “Congratulations.”

I don’t respond because I hate the tenuous connections my mind is making. Ever since we married, Harlan has been outlining plans for when he takes over Arcania. I’ve caught him poring over spreadsheets many times and found sketches of how he’d renovate and expand.

I’d made the mistake of teasing him once about his parents living another four decades, and he’d lost it. It’s the only time he’s ever raised his voice to me and he’d been instantly contrite, but that one glimpse at my husband’s darker side showed the depth of his obsession with this place.

It makes me wonder; how far would he go to gain control of it?

“I’m still in my teens,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Why would I care about running Arcania?”

Spencer hesitates, as if weighing up the wisdom of his next words. “Do you care about Harlan?”

I lower my gaze, a dead giveaway I can’t look him in the eye and lie. “He’s my husband. I have to care.”

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