by Grady, D. R.
Lila Saltaire broke the silence with another question. “McNeal is your name? Any relation to Jared and Annie?”
Julia smiled. “Jared is my brother.”
“Of course. I should have seen the resemblance. That dark hair and gray eyes, yes, you certainly look like siblings.”
Pausing with her fork between her plate and mouth, she nodded. “We hear that frequently.”
“I’m certain you do. Are you really a Miss? I thought I’d heard along the way that you have a Ph.D. in some sort of science.”
“I do. I prefer to go by Julia, although I certainly don’t mind Miss McNeal.” She took a delicate sip of the coffee. As she figured, its rich and creamy taste proved very satisfying.
Mallen’s mother sighed and shook her head. “Nonsense, you worked hard for the Dr. McNeal title, so you shall have it. We believe hard work should be rewarded here in Sandovia.”
“Were you born here?”
Lila Saltaire laughed. “Oh my, no,” she exclaimed. “I was born and raised in the States, and Mallen was born there, too.” A far-away look crept into her eyes as she took an absent sip from her own cup.
“So that’s why his English is so perfect.” Julia said after she swallowed a mouthful of delicious, buttery pastry.
“Yes. Giselle was born here in Sandovia. I was six months pregnant with her when I met Hugo Saltaire.”
Julia leaned forward. “You were pregnant when you met him?”
“Yes. Mallen was three at the time, nearly four and as I’ve said, Giselle was on the way. My cousin, Rosalee, was engaged to Hugo Saltaire. But when he sent a man for her, she didn’t know about Hugo and wasn’t particularly interested either. Her father had arranged the engagement without her knowledge. Rosalee was young and beautiful and completely in love with another man.” Lila paused and a delicate color washed her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m probably boring you to tears.”
“Oh no, I’m fascinated,” she protested, hoping Lila would continue.
“Then I shall proceed,” at Lila’s questioning glance, Julia nodded eagerly. “Hugo’s man came to bring Rosalee to Sandovia. My worthless husband had just left for the last time and managed to kill himself in the process. That’s why Rosalee and I were sharing a rather cramped apartment. I came home early that day because I was supposed to see the doctor.” Lila Saltaire shook her head.
“I ran home long enough to change my shoes, and then thought I’d pick up Mallen from the neighbor and go along to my appointment. Hugo’s man had Rosalee’s address and orders to bring the woman who lived there. He didn’t notice my pregnancy, or care, because rather than abducting my cousin, he grabbed me.” Lila smiled and that look appeared in her eyes again. The one that indicated she was in another time and place.
“He had me bound and gagged and stuffed on a plane before I could think straight. I’d been having some pain with my pregnancy and I was terrified the trauma would harm Giselle. My captor never took notice to my belly until we reached Sandovia.
“He thought he’d picked up the cleaning lady. By this time, I was furious. Who would handle a woman like that, especially one with child? He scared me, tied me, kept me from my child. All I could think of was how worried and upset Mallen would be and I had no idea where I was.”
“What did you do?” Julia took another sip of coffee and realized she was enjoying herself.
“Turned on Hugo Saltaire, King of Sandovia and yelled, threatened, cursed, and stormed at him in both English and French. I taught French at the local high school and had spent a year in Paris during college, so I had a good grasp of the language. At least I knew all the words I needed.” Mischief flashed at first in her amber-green eyes before sadness replaced it.
“He later told me after that passionate display, there was no way he would marry anyone else. Plus the fact that I spoke fluent French, and Rosalee couldn’t be bothered put another clincher into my fate, if you will.” She smiled – a secret, feminine smile. Her voice held a triumphant air.
“Hugo realized I was pregnant and had another child his man hadn’t brought through my rants. He immediately sent someone else back to the states for Mallen. Then, I was placed in a silken prison. The rascal had every intention of keeping me until I agreed to marry him. And he used my own son against me.” Lila shook her head as she sipped more coffee and finished off her breakfast.
Julia grinned. “How did he do that?”
“Mallen wasn’t Hugo’s son biologically, but in every other way he was. The two of them met and Mallen started calling him Dad from there on out. He’d never called his... biological supplier... Dad, but Hugo Saltaire became his father the minute they met. Hugo had the exact same reaction. He turned to me and thanked me for bringing his son home. Hugo had tears in his eyes. It was eerie.
“I later found out he had been told he couldn’t have children because of a childhood illness. Now, upon obtaining me, he wed his ideal wife, got a son, all with the promise of another child in three months time.”
Julia blinked. “Mallen called him Dad from the start?”
“From the first moment. As far as they were concerned, the matter was settled. That very night, when I put him to bed, Mallen thanked me for finally bringing him home. From his perspective, we’d been living in limbo. Now it was no questions, no discussions, let’s just get on with life.”
“How soon after that did you marry his ‘Dad’?”
“Three days later. Hugo didn’t give me time to think. He bulldozed me until he had the ring on my finger. Then he promptly made me the most loved, most treasured, most pampered wife in the world.” Mallen’s mother wiped at the tears creasing her face.
“How long before you fell in love with him?”
“I think I loved him from the beginning, even while I yelled at him. To see Hugo, look at Mallen. They’re eerily alike. Both huge, overly protective, and goofy, with identical mannerisms. I wasn’t afraid of Hugo. I stood there and yelled at the King of Sandovia upon my first meeting with him after all.” Mischief warred with the sadness again.
“And he loved every minute of your tirade.” Julia wondered what that type of relationship was like. Hers had certainly not even come close. She slanted a thoughtful look at Lila. That lady had mentioned her first marriage hadn’t been a happy one though, so that gave Julia some hope.
“Indeed. He said what happened that day was almost frightening. I stood there yelling at him in two languages and awareness overcame him so that he understood he was staring at his fate. At the one woman someone generous had felt kindly enough to offer him. He told me he made a vow that I’d not leave the palace until I belonged to him.” Lila Saltaire sighed. “We had thirty-one wonderful years together. He was so special – the most wonderful man in the world. Besides my son, of course, who is so much like his father I shiver sometimes.”
“They really looked so much alike?” Julia, finishing the last of her coffee, poured another cup.
“Hugo’s hair was a lighter brown and his eyes blue, but otherwise, they had the same build, carried themselves the same way, shared identical mannerisms and thought processes. And Mallen has had those since he was a baby. They looked each other in the eye, they were that close in height. Had similar birthmarks in the same place. Their weight hovered within a few pounds of each other. Mallen grows more like him every day. It’s uncanny.”
“What happened to your husband?”
“His plane went down. Hugo, as well as the pilot, and also Sandovia’s top researcher, all were lost at sea. How I miss him.” Lila shook her head, as tears streaked her face. She used her linen napkin to blot the tears in a delicate, feminine gesture.
“How long has he been gone?”
“Over a year now. Nearly a year and a half. Soon after we lost Hugo, we lost Celeste.”
“Celeste?” Here was a new name.
“Our youngest daughter. Hugo was her biological father. We weren’t supposed to get pregnant, but I did. With Celeste. She was three years younger th
an Giselle and so like Mallen and Hugo it was amazing.” Lila’s face went reminiscent again.
“But she died?”
“Yes. Your sister-in-law, Annie?” At Julia’s nod, she continued. “Her sister’s killer, Simon Malcolm, also killed our Celeste.”
“Of course. I knew that.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek.
“Annie was partially responsible for my finally stepping down from being queen.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. When she and Jared visited not so long ago, I admitted to her that I really despised being queen with all those responsibilities. Annie simply pointed out that if Hugo truly acted like Mallen was his son, didn’t that mean Mallen was in fact the royal heir?”
Lila gave a hoot of laughter. “Of course, Mallen wasn’t too appreciative of her efforts, but my husband was very far seeing. He had already made up the documentation that Mallen would rule. Even though Celeste was his true biological heir, Hugo never felt she would come to the throne. Instead, he’d always envisioned Mallen as his heir. Mallen was indoctrinated the next day. Much to his disgust.” Lila’s eyes danced with that mischief Julia admired.
“He didn’t want to be king?”
“Oh no. He fought this notion while it was still Annie’s and my idea, but as soon as he found those papers, which is good Giselle was in the room watching over his shoulder or the process would have been drawn out as long as possible.”
“He wouldn’t have thrown them away?” She glanced up from the business of stirring more cream into her coffee.
Lila laughed, but shook her head as she drained the last of her orange juice. “Mallen couldn’t fight his father’s wish. He wouldn’t. They loved each other too much. I believe his father’s dictate meant a lot to Mallen. He’d always felt like Hugo’s son, but knowing that even in light of Celeste’s existence, his dad still made the decision that his oldest child would rule one day, I think clinched all of Mallen’s feelings. My husband died before Celeste, so he had always meant for Mallen to inherit the kingship. If something had happened to Mallen, then Giselle would reign. Celeste would have come into the title only in the event something happened to her older siblings. Mallen closeted himself in his rooms for a time after he found those papers.”
“They assured him of his father’s love and respect.”
“Yes. He had always known they were there, felt them, but this came as a shock. I don’t believe he ever thought he’d be the heir.”
“Perhaps he was a bit overwhelmed by trying to fill his father’s shoes, too.”
“You know, I hadn’t thought of that possibility, but you could be right. I’ll have to think more on your theory.” Lila’s eyes rested on her for a bit before the arrival of the others switched their conversation to other topics.
A couple of weeks passed and Julia spent the time healing. She discovered the palace gym and wiled away several hours there a day. She also spent time staring out the window, trying to comprehend the events and choices that had led to her abuse.
The Saltaires were friendly and supportive, but they made an effort not to intrude. When she needed to talk, any of the three set aside whatever they worked on and offered her their full attention.
One day, as rain ran in a stream down the window, she watched the pattern it made on the wall. As light streamed through the rain droplets, vibrant colors splashed across the surface. While watching the rainbow palate light up the impromptu canvas, she thought of hope.
As the healing process progressed, her thoughts drifted to her work. The Saltaires had arranged with Julia’s boss to transfer her paperwork to a USB jump drive, and they brought it with them. Soon she found herself immersed in work. As she worked, she realized she had plenty of data to verify her boss’s theories, and actually, could indeed begin work on writing the paper for publication. With anticipation, Julia realized she might even get a few papers from her data. That would complete her obligation to her current position. Why she wanted to complete her promise so soon, she wasn’t certain.
Mallen took some time to set her up in a wonderfully sunny room down the “office” corridor. She had a beautiful light wooden desk, new model computer, printer, and the cushiest office chair she’d ever sat in. There was a photocopier, scanner, and an available fax machine down the hall. A convenient matching wooden credenza located behind her offered more spread out room and Julia made full use of the space. There was even a small table and chairs in the corner. She aligned her data and began the painstaking compilation, jotting notes down on a legal pad as she went.
As she worked, she noticed Sebastian had followed her to her “office” and taken up most of the space in front of the largest glass window. That way, she figured he could soak up all the sun streaming happily through the panes. She hummed as she worked, wanting to finish this project, but also anticipating the way the paper would take shape.
By noon, she had a rough outline completed for the paper and was pleased with her progress. Mallen broke into her thoughts when he poked his head around the door and smiled.
“Lunch?” His eyes locked with hers. Her stomach performed that funny little sensation again.
Sebastian rolled onto his feet with enthusiasm. “Not you, beast, Julia.”
She laughed at the pair and rolled her shoulders. “Yes, I’m definitely ready for a break.”
“Good. Let’s go. I’m hungry.” Mallen’s face was alight with the same enthusiasm Sebastian’s had revealed moments ago.
She grinned. Males were so easily contented.
As he walked her to the next floor after lunch, she figured she better ask Mallen a question that weighed heavily on her mind.
“Have you heard anything about George?”
Mallen’s brow puckered. “Can you be more specific?”
“Is he still at large?”
“Your brothers haven’t reported anything recently about him, no.”
“What about the police?” She decided gaining information on her situation was like pulling a tree up by its roots with her bare hands. Her family hadn’t much to say on the subject, either.
“I know they are still looking, but haven’t located him yet. Why do you ask?”
“I’m just concerned.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re perfectly safe here. You understand this, yes?”
“Of course. I’m just thinking there should be something to report by now. It’s been two and a half weeks.”
“Yes, there should be something, but unfortunately, there isn’t. George seems to have gone into hiding.”
Julia raised an eyebrow. “Where does that leave me?”
“It leaves you safely in Sandovia, in the care of this palace and the people of Sandovia. George cannot touch you.” The confidence and power in his voice reassured her.
“I doubt he’s ever heard of Sandovia, and even if he has, he wouldn’t know to look for me here.”
“Correct.”
“So that means I remain.”
He darted a look at her which she caught. “Is that a problem?”
“Not at all.” She assured him quickly. “I’m enjoying this time very much. It’s just...”
“Just what?” Mallen asked, an intensity to his voice she hadn’t heard before.
“I hate to take advantage of your hospitality.”
“You are by no means taking advantage. Your presence in the palace has given all of us a much needed breath of fresh air.”
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” He bowed to her.
It was a stately, Old World gesture that caused a little flip in her stomach. She valiantly ignored the sensation. “I hope that old adage hasn’t begun to apply to me then?”
“What adage?”
“Fish and company begin to stink after three days.”
Chapter 7
Mallen had laughed at her statement and reassured her again of her welcome. Julia had no reason to doubt his sincerity. She
wasn’t restless, but simply wanted to determine that the Saltaire family hadn’t wearied of her presence.
Now that she had work to do, her days took on a more scheduled vein which helped to further settle her. She worked on her paper in the morning then lunched with Mallen and his family. In the afternoon she slept for a bit before returning to her data, in the late afternoon she used the gym. By the time the week passed, she had the first draft finished and three separate outlines prepared for three smaller publications. She e-mailed them to her boss before pushing away from the desk. She wondered what to do now?
Wandering into the corridor, she turned opposite the way she usually came. She had never explored this area before, and decided now was a great time to do so. Sebastian plodded casually beside her, yawning every once in a while.
“I’m sorry to break up your beauty sleep,” she told him dryly.
Sebastian ignored her.
They peeked into the office next to hers. There was a desk and credenza much like hers occupying the space. The next several doorways showed more of the same in the darkened rooms. One office however, was huge, with several bookcases lining the walls, elaborate, but tasteful paintings of hunting and sport, and a beautiful Persian carpet. Family pictures dotted the elegant surfaces.
From somewhere came the understanding of whose office this had been. She recognized the smiling faces of Lila, Mallen, and Giselle, and figured the other woman must be Celeste. This office, resting in quiet somberness, darkened from lack of use, lead Julia to the conclusion that the previous king had once occupied this space.
She could understand why Mallen would be reluctant to use the office. It spoke of another’s personality and tastes. His father had only been gone a year and a half, but Julia understood the family continued to mourn and heal. Having lost two precious family members within months of one another would have been devastating.
With a sigh, Julia backed away from the room and continued her search. She stumbled into the next find quite by accident. Her heel caught in the carpeting, and as she tugged her shoe free, she tripped. In throwing out a hand to save herself from falling, she grappled against a door, and the surface gave way. At the same time, Sebastian glided up to help steady her. But not before she caught sight of the room on the other side.
