Daughters of the Sea by HR Mason

Author:HR Mason [Mason, HR]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tangled Tree Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

As Runa lay in bed, the early morning light filtered through the heavy drapes of the bedroom. Rolling from her side to her back, she winced in pain as she bent her knees. She could feel the bruises from her fall the night before.

She hadn’t told Chase what happened with his mother, and she didn’t intend to. They’d both been completely exhausted from the wedding and had fallen asleep right away. Hiding it had been easier than she’d anticipated.

Glancing beside her, the shape of Chase’s head was still imprinted in the fluffy pillow. Other than that, his side of the bed looked barely slept in. She’d known he had to leave early for work, but the reality of waking up alone in a strange room the morning after her wedding hit Runa a bit harder than she’d expected. She bit back tears.

They had talked about it, of course. Chase had work obligations, in place far longer than he’d even known Runa. He couldn’t get out of the appointments, scheduled months in advance. Chase was a busy man, and his work was demanding and time-consuming.

Besides, Runa didn’t want to leave her shop. The idea of closing her boutique to go on a honeymoon seemed irresponsible. It hadn’t been open long enough to warrant a closure, and she couldn’t risk losing customers who had just begun to frequent her establishment.

Chase and Runa agreed their work must take precedence. They had responsibilities and commitments to keep. They had discussed it at length, deciding to put their honeymoon on hold indefinitely. The important thing, they’d both agreed, was that they get married and begin their lives together right away. The honeymoon could come later. She’d been perfectly fine with that decision, yet the reality of waking up alone in Everwine Manor felt empty and depressing.

“Snap out of it, Runa. You’re Mrs. Everwine. That’s what you wanted,” she chided herself. “And now you need to get ready for work.”

Rolling out of the giant canopy bed, she stretched her body, trying to ease some of the residual tension from the day before. She walked across the room and opened the drapes, letting the morning sun creep into the dark room. Glancing outside, she saw large waves undulating on the surface of the ocean. She couldn’t believe the view from her window. Of course, there didn’t seem to be a poor view from anywhere inside Everwine Manor.

Turning from the window, Runa was surprised to see a silver tray on the table across the room. She lifted the lid on the large platter, and steam rolled off the eggs and bacon. She touched the carafe and realized the coffee was still hot.

It must have been brought in while she was sleeping. The thought of someone in her room while she slept sent a shiver down her spine. Even though it was more than likely placed there by a servant, whose job it was to do so, it still made her uncomfortable. It felt like an invasion of privacy.

A light knock on the door caused her to jump.

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