I must do a poor job at concealing my exasperation because he says, “Don’t make that face at me, young lady.”
I sit up and turn to him. “None of that matters to Wraye, and you know it. She’s marrying you because she loves you. That’s why you’re marrying her, too. Love. I don’t believe it matters to you that she’s from a First Family. You love her.”
“Of course, I love her, but she’s also a lady from a First Family. I expect a man from a First Family for you, too.”
I push my fingers through my hair and sigh. “I thought she was softening you up, but you’re as stiff and as snobby as ever.”
“This is not about snobbery. This is about preserving the traditions of Paravel that were very nearly lost forever under the People’s Republic. Now, answer this. Has anything happened between you and that young man?”
“What young man?” I ask him, because he should at least say Cassian’s name if he’s going to try and forbid me from seeing him.
“That Lungren man,” he growls.
“He’s not a Lungren, he’s a Bellerose, and I’m not talking about this with you while you’re being so hostile.”
We stare each other down for several minutes, both of us too angry to look away first. I definitely get my stubbornness from my father.
Finally, Daddy takes a deep breath and says, with exaggerated patience, “I’m not going to force you to get married or choose your suitors for you, but I am going to remind you that it’s your duty to continue the bloodlines of the First Families. There are many young men in the Royal Guard that would make excellent husbands.”
Yes, all trained to answer to my father. No, thank you.
I remember Cassian’s arms around me and him telling me that he’d let anyone stop me from coming to the stables over his dead body. A warm feeling fills me from head to toe. Cassian cares about my happiness. “What if I find my own husband? Maybe there’s someone from among my acquaintances I know.”
Daddy’s eyes narrow. “If there’s no one you feel is suitable from among the First Families, we can find a young man from another good family. I have connections within the British and Swedish royal families and their circles, and the principle families of Spain and Monaco. There’s no need for you to feel restricted.”
All he’s doing is restricting me.
“Now more than ever, we need to do the right thing for Paravel.”
“Now more than ever, we have the chance to be happy,” I retort, shooting to my feet.
Disappointment washes over me as I head inside. Daddy found love and defied his traditions and his daughter to make Wraye his. I thought he’d understand why I need to put my happiness first, too.
If we’re not happy, I don’t see the point of this new Paravel.I train hard for the dressage competition every day, Cinnamon and I working through our trots and piaffes. I should think about advancing a grade soon and getting a new coach. Perhaps with the status of dressage being lifted in Paravel, we’ll attract some foreign coaches who’ll want to set up businesses here. I’ll have to let my old riding school know that there are opportunities here with new students.
At home, I avoid Daddy, but make an effort to talk to Wraye. I don’t want there to be any tension between us, just because her husband-to-be makes it impossible for me to have a civil conversation with him.
One afternoon, I find her alone in the kitchen and say to her, “Will you please mention that I’m sponsored by Bellerose Stables in one of your press releases about the competition? I’m trying to help Cassian lift the profile of his business.”
Wraye smiles. “Yes, of course. How are things for him at the stables?”
“Fine, thank you,” I say quickly, and she looks doubtful. I suppose there’s no reason for her not to know. “Actually, not great. Pretty terrible, in fact. Cassian asked me about the sponsorship deal, and he’s such a proud man that I know it must be getting dire. He’s not paying me, of course. He hasn’t got any money, but I’m just happy I can help.”
“I’m glad the two of you are able to support each other like that,” she replies, her eyes flicking curiously over my face. I can tell she’s dying to ask me more about how I feel about him. It’s too painful to discuss it, knowing that any feelings I have for Cassian are hopeless.
The one good thing about Cassian’s stables having no customers is we can do whatever we want in the empty stalls. And we do, several times a week. We’re being what people would call careless, but it’s more like I’m trying to change my fate. If I had Cassian’s baby, then Daddy couldn’t pressure me into marrying someone else. I could stay here with Cassian and train horses. Compete. Have more children. How wonderful a simple, beautiful life sounds.