Free Web NovelChapter 13: Hearts And Minds
SOPHIA
"Hune, give Miss Pagemoore the logistics."
We stood outside the restless crowd. The prey were already lining up at the entrance of the maze waiting for the signal bell.
"What logistics?" I asked.
Duke Stonehart smiled winsomely. Thud-thud-thud went my heart. Oh, my. This man was very dangerous to my health. To my emotions. To my body. To everything, quite frankly.
"When you enter the maze, Miss Pagemoore, go left," said Hune. "Follow the path until you reach the next decision point. Go right. Stay to the left. When you’re about mid-way down the path, you should be able to find a hiding space within the hedgerow. It can’t be seen by the casual observer, so you must look for it carefully."
"Stay in the hidey hole," said the duke. "I’ll come capture you. Then we can work together to get to the center of the maze."
"This feels like cheating," I said.
"I was only instructed to find you a place to hide, Miss Pagemoore. Even doing that was tricky. The Velles have guards and stewards at nearly every turn. Plus, many of the puzzles and barriers weren’t added until earlier today. Those who want to cheat will find it difficult to do so." freewёbnoνel.com
"We’ll win by our own abilities." The duke tapped my nose. "Together, we can conquer anything."
I believed him. "I’ll wait for you."
He nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Until we meet again, Miss Pagemoore."
I grinned, happiness making my heart feel light. "I will wait for you."
With a final wave, I turned and headed toward the maze. I joined the group of prey, wiggling into the second row of mostly women waiting to enter the maze.
"I do hope Donald finds me first," said a young woman next to me. "We’ve been circling each other for weeks now."
"Do you think he’ll propose?" asked her friend. "He’s been so wishy-washy about his pursuit."
"He’s not wishy-washy!"
"Then why is he over there flirting with someone else?"
We all turned to where the woman pointed, and there was a man, presumably Donald, leaning in to speak with a lady wearing a pink wig and a pinker dress.
"Cecily Brewbout. She flirts with everyone!" The woman who wanted Donald’s pursuit stamped her foot in frustration. "How dare he! It’s not like he’s my only suitor. I’m very popular!"
"There, there." Her friend soothed patting her shoulder. "Jonathon is here somewhere, and he seems very interested in pursuing you."
I found this conversation fascinating.
I had grown up with Jace as my only option.
Since my parents decided I didn’t need to debut in society, it had never occured to me I might have better choices.
My marriage to Jace was set. Why did I need to attend events for single men and women looking for marital partners? And wasn’t that what every event really was? A marriage market?
I still didn’t understand why Duke Stonehart was so interested in me. I don’t remember meeting him in my previous life, and I would’ve definitely remembered that man. Even if we’d only seen each other from across a room, I was sure he would’ve left an indelible impression.
He knew me. How?
Duke Stonehart had secrets. But didn’t I have a secret, too?
"Sophia."
Pulled from my thoughts, I looked up to see Jace. He gestured for me to come to him.
"The bell will ring any moment," I protested. "Can’t we speak after?"
"No," he said.
Reluctantly, I pushed my way out of the line-up. Jace took my hand and pulled me closer to the hedgerow. "You should find a place to hide and wait for me."
"What? Why?"
"So I can capture you, wife. We’ll win the prize together."
I laughed.
"What’s funny?"
"Your assumption that Penelope will allow you to choose anyone else."
"Penelope doesn’t have a say. She’s my savior. You’re my wife."
"Not for long. We’re getting divorced, remember?"
Jace grabbed my chin and put his face into mine. "Say that again."
His fingers dug into my skin, but I stared at him defiantly. "We’re. Getting. A. Divorce."
He moved as though he meant to kiss me, but I slammed my foot onto his. He flinched, letting go of me. "Ow!"
"Keep your hands off me," I hissed.
"You’re my wife," he gritted out. "I have every right to touch you."
"Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you can mistreat me."
"I’m not mistreating you!" Jace shook out the foot I’d crushed, then pressed it on the ground. Apparently, I hadn’t hurt him at all because he didn’t seem to have any lasting pain.
"Don’t look for me. I don’t want to be your partner. And the more you pay attention to me, the more Penelope will punish me. I don’t want to deal with her bullying."
He frowned. "What are you talking about? Penelope is one of the kindest people I know."
"She’s kind to you," I said. "She’s cruel to me. She has been since Day One. And living with her at Amaranth Manor is a nightmare all its own."
"Sophia, you’re being dramatic." He waved off my concerns, shaking his head at the same time. "Penelope already knows I won’t look for her this time. I’ve told her I intend to capture you."
"What? You told her that?" I groaned. "Now I definitely have to watch out for her. She’ll seek vengeance and that usually means I will suffer."
Like being stabbed and pushed off a bridge.
Furious, I poked Jace in the chest. "You go tell that mistress of yours that you are not choosing me." Poke. "You want her and only her." Poke. "Say you’re sorry for even mentioning me." Poke.
Shocked, Jace stumbled back. "Stop this at once!" he huffed, obviously annoyed. To settle himself, he pulled his jacket down and dusted off his sleeves. "I will do no such thing."
This very attitude is why I ended up dead in my first life. He constantly indulged Penelope, refusing to believe his savior was anything but sweet and obedient. He undermined my authority as matriarch, always believed Penelope’s version of events, and tossed my feelings aside.
He didn’t care about me.
If I had his attention in this moment, Penelope would soon find a way to snatch it from me. She was a professional green tea. And Jace was her devoted servant, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
