In front of the second window, a form materialized. A woman with long black hair and a red dress, gazing out at the sea.
Luciana’s heart pounded in her ears. The woman was young, but then her mother had died young. “Mo—” She groaned when the woman turned to face her. She should have known who it was by the red dress.
Her sister glowered at her. “What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping to see my mother. You should have told me she was here.”
Tatiana scoffed. “Why would she want to meet you? You’re the one who killed her.”
“Don’t even try that,” Luciana warned her. “’Tis not true!”
“It is! My nanny told me Mama was fine after I was born. It was you who wore her out. But I could never talk about it because you were a big secret.”
Luciana snorted. No doubt the nanny had been trying to appease a frightened child by passing the blame on to someone else. Someone like her, who had been absent and unable to defend herself. “I’ll ask Mother about it.”
“You don’t need to talk to her!” Tatiana gave her a scathing look. “You came to see her like that? Your hands and gown are filthy.”
“I was working in the garden … with Christopher.”
With a gasp, Tatiana turned toward the window. “I don’t want to hear about it.”
“He misses you.” Luciana approached her sister. “You were the best of friends ten years ago.”
Tatiana shrugged. “I know better than to befriend a servant now.”
“I heard you used to help in the kitchens. Did you stop because of Christopher?”
Tatiana grimaced. “It was too awful. I saw the fire. I could hear him screaming.”
“He was your friend. He could still be your friend.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Tatiana’s eyes shimmered with tears. “It hurts too much to see him like that.”
“Mother sees him. And she’s kind to him.”
“Why are you pestering me? If I see him, he’ll know I’m dead. Then he’ll know you’re a fake. Do you want that?”
“Who is he going to tell?”
Tatiana stepped back, wringing her hands. Then she glanced to the side. “Mama!”
Luciana whirled around to see a beautiful black-haired woman, dressed in white, hovering in the doorway. The woman looked at both of them, her eyes widening in shock and then focusing on Tatiana with horror.
“Mama!” Tatiana dashed toward her and both of them vanished.
“Wait!” Luciana lunged toward the door, but they were gone. Her hand was touching nothing but air. “Mother?”
Her eyes filled with tears. Why had her mother run away? Was it the shock of realizing one of her daughters was dead?
A whimpering noise drew her attention, and she turned to see the dog, Pirate, approaching her slowly. She’d forgotten he was here, but she could swear he actually looked concerned for her.
“She’ll come back,” Luciana said softly as she wrapped her arms around herself. My mother will want to see me. Unless Tatiana was right and she was to blame for her mother’s death.
Nay, it can’t be true. She shook her head, then recalled Tatiana’s words about the man she was to marry. I heard he killed his nanny and his mother.
She might be the perfect match for the Beast after all.
Chapter Nine
“Are you sure I should wear this?” Luciana was sitting in her dressing room, gazing down at herself in dismay. The blue brocade gown was beautiful, but the neckline was much lower than she’d ever worn before. She was afraid if she so much as sneezed, her nipples would pop out.
Gabriella gave her a quizzical look. “You always loved this gown before.”
“I still do!” Luciana forced a smile. “I just came so close to dying that I fear any sort of illness now. I would hate to catch a cold.”
“Oh.” Gabriella’s expression turned sympathetic. “I’m sure you’ll be all right, my lady. The Great Hall is likely to be hot tonight with so many guests.” A knock at the door sent her rushing toward the bedchamber door. “I’ll get it!”
Luciana’s father was outside, dressed in dark-blue breeches and waistcoat. His white shirt had lace at the sleeves, and his head was topped with a blue velvet cap. Like Luciana, he was dressed in the blue and white colors of Vindalyn.
He smiled as she approached. “You look lovely, my dear.”
“Thank you.” There was no help for it, she’d have to go to the Great Hall with half her chest exposed.
Her bedchamber was one floor up on the west side of the square-shaped keep, while the Great Hall was one floor up on the south side. As they walked down the hallway, her father signaled the guards to follow at a distance.
The floor was paved with black and white tiles, set in a checkered pattern. On the left side, open archways allowed a view of the courtyard below. She could see some of her father’s vassals, all dressed in their finest and making their way to the Great Hall for the banquet.
As she and her father passed the staircase, she recalled how Captain Bougaire had assaulted her on the landing. Did her father know about Tatiana’s affair?
He cleared his throat. “When I received notice that the army was drawing near, I made arrangements for this banquet, thinking you would be meeting your betrothed for the first time. But I’m afraid he’s been delayed.”
“That’s all right.”