Page 22 of Haunted Hearts

“Of course,” said Blaze, not wanting to be rude. “Rosie, is it?” he asked, trying to remember her name as well as make small talk just to be polite.

“Posy,” spat the woman, quickly releasing his arm once her feet touched the ground. “I’m here as handmaid to the Ladies Bonnel.”

“I see.” He really didn’t expect this. Actually, he didn’t think Lillith would be bringing her sister along either, and wondered why the girl was even here. Lord Bonnel didn’t mention this in his missive. Blaze couldn’t quite understand it. “Lillith, I didn’t expect such a large traveling party.”

“I thought my uncle sent you a missive announcing our arrival this morning,” Lillith answered.

“He did. However, he must have forgotten to tell me I’d be entertaining so many.”

“It is just temporary,” she explained.

“It’s kind of you to come, but I have servants here, Posy,” Blake told the handmaid. “You can return to your castle because you’re really not needed.” Blaze saw his mother wandering over, hoping to hell she wasn’t going to start trouble. Emery approached with her.

“Oh, I assure you, Lord Payne, my presence here is more than necessary,” said Posy with her nose in the air.

“My lord, may I present the final wedding contract from Lord Bonnel in duplicate?” One of the guards who accompanied the women handed him the parchments. “You need to sign both copies to make the terms valid.” The pageboy stood next to him with a feather pen and a bottle of ink.

“Of course, but I thought I already signed it,” said Blaze. “Why more?”

“It’s just a formality,” said the guard. “For the records. Lord Bonnel already has signed them as well.”

“My, he’s anxious,” said Blaze, taking the parchments, and unrolling one. “But not as anxious as me.”

“Lord Bonnel likes to be quick and efficient,” said the guard. “Just sign both at the bottom please.”

Blaze already knew what the contract said since he’d read it earlier when he’d agreed to the proposal. He grabbed the feather pen and dipped it into the bottle of ink.

“Wait, Blaze. Before you sign those, we need to talk,” said Lillith.

“I plan on talking for hours with you, Lilly, but just need to finalize the details first.”

“Please, Blaze. Don’t sign them.”

“Now is not a good time for getting cold feet, Lilly.” He signed them and handed one back to the guard. Then he rolled up the second parchment and handed it to Emery.

“Where would you like us to put the dowry, my lord?” asked the guard.

“Dowry.” Blaze had almost forgotten about this. Of course, he would have married Lillith with no dowry involved, it didn’t matter. All that was important to him was that she was about to become his wife. “In my solar will be fine. Here comes my steward now,” he said, nodding as the man approached. “He will show you the way.”

Lillith didn’t like deceiving Blaze, and needed to let him know what was going on before things went any further. She had no idea what was in those contracts he just signed, but she didn’t trust her uncle. That is why she had tried to stop him. Too late now. He wouldn’t listen. Mayhap she just should have blurted out her information after all.

Blaze was going to be devastated when he found out the truth. Lillith saw the way he’d smiled at her. He didn’t truly know who he’d agreed to marry. She could tell he still had feelings for her. If that was the case, this deception could bring about a battle between him and her uncle. That was the last thing she wanted to see.

“Sister, do you think he knows?” whispered Serena. “I mean . . . he didn’t say anything about it.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t, but I’m going to tell him,” said Lillith, planning on getting this over with as fast as possible. She didn’t want to hurt Blaze, but someone had to tell him the truth.

“Tell me, what?” Blaze walked up behind her. His mother followed.

“Blaze, you scared me,” said Lillith, spinning around and letting out a deep breath. Her hand went to her heart. He frowned.

“I’ve never scared you before, Lilly. What’s going on with you?”

“Like I said, there is something I need to talk to you about.”

“Why don’t we all go inside to the great hall. It’ll be more comfortable and a little more private there.” He held out his arm for Lillith. Lillith’s eyes darted over to her sister and they exchanged worried glances. “Lillith, if you’re going to be my bride, it is customary to let me escort you. Why are you acting so odd? And by the way, why is your sister and handmaid here with you? It’s really not necessary.”

“Oh, it really is,” she said, trying to gently lead into the information she was about to reveal to him.