Court of Flowers (Sutherland Book 1)

XLVI | Sinclair

NOVEMBER 1810

Sasha smiled at Iyana sitting across from her in the carriage. "You must be excited."

Iyana's eyes widened. "Beyond excited, my lady! Gail is too! She cannot wait to join us at our new home." She leaned forward and in a pinched voice said, "We have never been to Strait."

Sasha stole the window a glance. They had just left Belcourt for their new home.

"How does it feel, my lady?" Iyana asked.

She looked at Iyana with a frown. "What?"

"To be a hero!" Iyana exclaimed. "Who would have thought! I knew I should not have trusted him—" Her maid stopped, covering her mouth with her hands.

Sasha felt the pang in her chest again, a silent hum that reminded him of the things she gave up and the emptiness that came. "It is fine, Iyana."

"He should have been sent to the island."

Sasha turned to the window again, staring at the passing plantation. "Belcourt will give him the justice he deserves in due time."

"Well, at the very least he never hurt you." Her maid groaned. "Oh, I should not have trusted him! He seemed genuinely sincere—"

"He was, Iyana," she interjected. "He was sincere when it came to my safety. We just found a different purpose, that is all."

Iyana nodded, clearing her throat. And with a forced cheerful voice, the maid said, "Lady Aliya is in Strait, is she not?"

"Yes, she is."

"Then perhaps you can reunite with her! The two best Belles of Belcourt in one city! You have proven yourself, my lady! I am utterly proud!"

Sasha smiled. She would love to have Aliya around.

The plantation had ended, replaced by a field of wildflowers. Again, she felt the pain and longing.

Their journey was long, but it was never silent as Iyana filled her with stories and gossips. After a night at an inn, and more hours of travel, they finally reached Strait.

Like Iyana and Briana, it was her first time in the city.

She gazed at the exceptionally less busy streets and she realized that her feelings were far from the first one she experienced in Coulway. The dread was absent. She did not feel like she was being swallowed whole.

It felt like a new beginning.

"Your gentleman will be arriving on the morrow, my lady," she heard Iyana say and she could only care less.

Her eyes were being filled with a new sense of wonder because Strait was nothing like Coulway.

It was beautiful and picturesque. She wondered if she would have another neighbor like Mrs. Compton. And how was the old lady? Perhaps she should send her a letter soon.

"My lady?" Iyana asked.

"I heard you, Iyana. He will come by the morrow."

"Yes and we must prepare."

She turned to smile at her maid. "Yes, we must."

Her eyes veered back to the cobbled streets, at the quiet way people moved about, at the gentle sounds of hooves and carriage wheels.

Her eyes watered. She would have loved to be here with him. Sasha took a lungful of air to ease the humming pain in her chest.

If only they were not who they were.

"We must be careful with this new gentleman, of course. He could be as notorious and manipulating as the last one," Iyana was saying.

Sasha gently straightened in her seat.