“But how did you know about my birthday?”
He shifted uncomfortably. This Celine apparently doesn’t want to leave while you’re still in danger. Your sister was pleased that delaying the trip meant Celine would still be there for Lily’s birthday ball the following night. Tonight. She was angry…” He coughed. “…with me. That you couldn’t be there.
My tears welled again at the thought of Lily and my shared grief. But I also felt a tiny pang as I thought about the sorts of things Lily had probably said about Dominic. Still…if he hadn’t been spying on my sister, he wouldn’t have heard horrible things about himself. How else would she be likely to feel?
I realized that it was your birthday today, and that you would be sad without your sister and your family. So, I spent the night setting this up. I thought forgoing sleep was the least I could do after all the rest you lost for my sake during my illness. He frowned. There wasn’t enough time to set up a ball, but I wanted to mark the day for you. And we can still have a belated birthday ball on another occasion.
I felt such a swirl of emotion that I didn’t know what to say. Grief to be parted from Lily and denied the celebration I always expected to have. Pleasure at this beautiful room. Anger that Dominic had seen my sister only yesterday while I was not permitted to see her myself. Embarrassment that I had been upset when he canceled our meal the night before. Astonishment that he had gone to such lengths. I kept trying to remember when I had ever seen him show such understanding and consideration toward another’s feelings. Weeks had passed now, and yet he kept surprising me.
I swallowed and looked down at the table. “How about we have a slice of cake? If it’s anything like the pastry chef’s other creations, I’m sure it will be more than delicious.”
Dominic looked almost as torn as me, and I suspected he felt relieved I wasn’t angrier but also disappointed I wasn’t more whole-heartedly happy at his gesture. But he only nodded his agreement.
So, we sat down together, a Beast and a foreign princess, in a flower-filled library and discussed the smallest and most inconsequential of things while we ate the most incredible cake I had ever tasted. For all Lily and my wild ideas, I could never have imagined such a birthday.
Chapter 21
I spent the rest of the day in the library, determined to enjoy it as much as possible before the roses wilted. Dominic kept me company, more accommodating than I had ever seen him before. He showed me a whole section of fairy tales and even, for the first time ever, read to me instead of the other way around. His deep growly voice turned out to be surprisingly perfect for the task.
After a delicious lunch which the servants set up on the table that had held the cake, I even dozed off in a large padded armchair. I woke disoriented and experienced the wonder of the room all over again. I had intended to ask Dominic if I might see Lily in the mirror as a birthday present—I desperately wanted at least a glimpse of her birthday ball—but he was gone when I awoke.
Tara waited for me instead. What do you think, Princess Sophie? She sounded as if she were bursting with excitement. Is it not the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? And the most romantic. She giggled.
I smiled uncomfortably. There was no question of romance between Dominic and me despite our betrothal. The prince was hardly the thoughtful, romantic type. Or, at least, he had never been before. And surely everyone knew I wasn’t here by choice or with any dreams of love. I was still determined to break the engagement and return to Lily. The only change was that now I knew Dominic needed rescuing along with his kingdom.
Tara didn’t seem to notice my discomfort, continuing to chatter away. I was so worried that Lottie would give it all away last night. She’s terrible at keeping secrets. Did you notice how awkward she seemed?
Oh. I didn’t want to tell Tara that I had noticed but attributed it to a different cause. “Where is Dominic now?”
He’s down at the stables. He left me here to ask if you would join him. He wants to take you on a sunset ride. I could tell from the way she said the final two words that she considered this more evidence of romance.
I grimaced slightly. But I had to admit it was another unexpectedly thoughtful gesture. Some fresh air and time with Chestnut would be an ideal accompaniment to my day spent indoors.
Dominic already awaited me in front of the castle, walking Spitfire and Chestnut up and down. The ride was beautiful, the oranges, reds and purples reflecting off the clouds to color the snow beneath.
By the time we returned to the castle, the evening meal had been laid out in the dining hall. It was the most magnificent meal we had yet eaten, with a full ten courses followed by an even more extravagant cake than the one we had eaten in the library. I insisted that all the servants I knew join us for the cake, including Tara, Lottie and Gordon, and they all sang for me so enthusiastically I blushed. Dominic didn’t seem comfortable with their presence or the casual way I made them share the cake, but he restrained himself admirably.
When they all finally left, he walked me to the door of the dining hall, and my heart sank as I anticipated the inevitable question. But when he stopped in the doorway and looked down into my eyes, he merely whispered, “Happy Birthday Sophie”.
I had meant to take the opportunity to ask to see Lily as a birthday gift, but Tara’s earlier comment about romance flashed through my mind. I couldn’t ask to visit Dominic’s bedchamber after dark. I just couldn’t.
That night I lay awake for a long time reflecting on a great many things. I had already had more adventures in my eighteen years than many people had in a lifetime. And I wished, as I had many times, that Lily and I had never left Arcadia. Only, this time, when the thought ran through my mind, I couldn’t quite decide if I meant it.
I could no longer imagine a life where I had never left home. Who would I be? Who would Lily be?
Mornings walking in the rose gardens, afternoons reading in the library and sunset rides became part of our daily life. Dominic still ordered me around thoughtlessly at times and occasionally growled or roared at someone who attempted to cross him, but I could see he was making an effort. And a month after my birthday he even laughed when Matthew remonstrated with him, which I took as a sign of progress. It wasn’t only toward me that he had softened.