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“I came today because I wanted to tell you myself, before you heard rumors. I’m keeping the news under wraps, for the most part, until after Camellia Weekend. That’s when everything will become public.”
“You expect problems when it’s announced?” she asks before pulling her lips into a thin line.
“I always expect problems. But this will come as a huge surprise to everyone. That’s why I’m asking you to take the extra security without an argument, and not to come to the wedding.” I don’t know why I even waste my breath with the last part.
She sits back and folds her arms. “Put that idea right out of your head. My only son is marrying my best friend’s daughter, even under these circumstances, and you think I won’t be there?Pfft.”
I think you’ll be there, trying to help the bride escape before she gets anywhere near the altar.But that’s not my real concern.“It’s not safe for you.”
“I’m an adult, and I decide what’s safe for me. And what risks I’m willing to take. Not my son. Or any other man.”
She lifts her chin, and I swallow my plea. No sense arguing with her right now. I’ll co-op Edward and Samantha in helping me to convince her to stay home. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll ground every goddamn plane out of London for a week, if I have to.
“Tell me about Daniela. I haven’t seen or talked to her since shortly after her mother died.”
Why didn’t I know this?Why would you have known? Daniela was a little girl, not even a blip on your radar.I assumed they’d stayed in touch until my mother remarried and moved to London. “I’m surprised you didn’t stay in contact with her after Maria Rosa died.”
She sighs. “I kept in touch with Manuel—for years. He would visit when he was in London. But he only let me see Daniela once after her mother died. He believed that spending time with me made it more difficult for Daniela, because I reminded her of her mother. She had some kind of breakdown a few months after the funeral. He was worried she would commit suicide to be with her mother, so he sent her away to recover, and rest. I never saw her when she got back.”
“Where did he send her?”
“Somewhere up north, and then she stayed at the ocean for a while. They had a cottage there.”
“He didn’t go with her?”
“Manuel had a lot of responsibilities. He couldn’t leave everything behind. That’s how men are. He visited her.”
He sent his youngprincesaup north and then to the beach, right after her mother was murdered. Not a chance. He sent her away to protect her.
“Daniela seems afraid of Abel and Tomas. Do you know anything about that?”
She shrugs. “Nothing you don’t know. Manuel was worried because Maria Rosa and I were searching for Vera. Even though we suspected she’d been murdered—we had to try. Daniela might have overheard something between her parents.”
“Would they have killed Maria Rosa?” I’m not sure why I ask. Something doesn’t feel right to me. But I can’t put my finger on it.
She shakes her head. “No. They found the man who did it. Besides, Abel has always been too calculating to do something so brazen. If they were caught—it would have been war. Remember, your uncle was never as powerful as your father, and Manuel had lots of power. Killing Maria Rosa would have been the end of Abel and of Premier. Even your father couldn’t have protected him.”
“Why was she without a guard?” I ask, gauging her reaction to see if this feels as strange to her as it does to me.
“Why are you asking now?” she asks defensively.
“I’m about to marry her daughter. Humor me.”
She rolls the stem of her wineglass between her fingers. “Manuel did business in the city on Wednesdays. He always spent the night.” Her voice is soft, mired in sorrow, as she tells the story. “Maria Rosa and Daniela would picnic when he was gone. In the living room, when it was cold, and when the weather turned, there’s a meadow just off the property where wildflowers grow. It’s such a beautiful spot. Like a private oasis.”
“You’ve been there?”
“I went with them while I was staying at Quinta Rosa do Vale.”
“Did you ever tell Hugo about it?”
“Of course not.”
She says it like I’m crazy. But just because she didn’t tell him doesn’t mean he didn’t know. I’m sure he tracked her every move while they were separated.
“Why wasn’t Daniela with her that day?”
“She was sick.”
