Unfolding the Rose by R.L. Tornero

Author:R.L. Tornero [Tornero, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-07T05:00:00+00:00

48

I miss you, Jak. I will never send this letter out to you because I have forbidden it in my heart. The prince of Sleoh is cruel. I am terrified of my life with him. If I had it my way, I would run home to you. If King Essedale calls off this ridiculous betrothal, then I will run the entire way home without stopping.

-Rose

49

"Can you tell me where the baroness went?" I asked a farmer nearby after finding that no one was at the Lorence property. The windows were bolted shut and the horses were gone. It appeared the baroness didn't plan on returning for some time. At least that had taken care of itself.

The farmer removed his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Yes, Sir Joplin, lady Lorence left weeks ago for her sister's estate. After her son had ever so disgraced her, she must have found dwelling here an embarrassment."

"Weeks ago, you say?"

"Yes sir."

"Very fine. Thank you." I hurried on my way wondering what in the heavens was wrong with Mary. If it wasn't the baroness visiting her...who was it?

I discovered her in the gardens, flashbacks of our history hitting me. I had probably met her here a hundred times, always surrounded by a certain scent...roses. That always added to the guilt of everything. Over the years, Mary changed. She grew decently beautiful. But because of our sin, I only saw her ugliness. The attachments. The begging. The desperation. As our time together tapered off, she became nervous and fragile. Asking me the same question over and over again until I could no longer bear it. "Do you love me?"

I shook the memory from my head, viewing her now as she reached for a rose and held a knife to its stem. I was about to call her name when she stumbled backward, holding up the knife as if to defend herself.

"Go away! I did nothing!"

Who was she talking to? She was facing the hedges.

"Mary," I said firmly. She turned, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. The girl was crazy. All this time she had been imaging the baroness. Guilty conscience. It was a mere wonder I hadn't gone mad myself. One day when Rose and I were long together, perhaps all the memories would fade out of mind. I never wanted to think of Mary again after I married Rose.

"Jak?" She lowered the knife. "T-The baroness was just here. I-I don't understand."

"Mary, the baroness left weeks ago after Henry was sentenced. You've been imagining her."

"What?" Her lips stuttered. She glanced back at the hedge. "No. That’s not true.”

I sighed, gesturing toward the hedge. "Then where did she go?"

She shook her head. "I just don't understand."

I wished Mary would leave Haling for a while. It would do her good and since I was being forced to dwell here, it would do me good. My parents were giving me enough trouble as it was. Having Mary there was a constant reminder of our sin. And it made me sick to know she was plotting.

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