Page 33 of The Beautiful Pretender

“Very well, I shall not say it.” She chuckled. “Come. You wanted to go to the library.”

Avelina allowed Magdalen to take her hand away from her face, turn her around, and lead her toward the stairs.

They descended and turned away from the ballroom and wentdown a wide corridor. On either side were doors, some of them open, some closed. They moved past two before coming to the open door of the library. Cautiously they stepped inside.

The room was dark near the door, as the windows on the opposite side faced the west and it was still morning. But at the far side of the room, in the corner surrounded by windows, Lord Thornbeck sat at a desk. He was writing.

He looked up. “Who is there?”

Magdalen grabbed Avelina’s arm, her eyes wide at Lord Thornbeck’s gruff voice. Would he be angry that they were there?

“Forgive us, Lord Thornbeck. It is I, Ava—uhh, Lady Dorothea and Lady Magdalen. We did not mean to dis—”

“Come in.” He took hold of his cane and pushed himself to his feet.

Avelina’s stomach twisted into a knot. Almost calling herself Avelina, coupled with Magdalen’s words about the margrave’s interest in her, sent her heart racing.

He moved closer, his cane thumping as he walked.

“Forgive us for interrupting your work, Lord Thornbeck,” Lady Magdalen said, “but I saw Lady Dorothea reading this book and wanted to ask you if I could borrow it.” Magdalen smiled at him.

“Why did you not ask Lady Dorothea?” He wore his usual stern look.

“Oh, I . . .”

“I have finished it,” Avelina spoke up, “and before I returned it she wanted to ask if she might borrow it.”

“You may.”

“Thank you.”

There was silence, then Lord Thornbeck locked eyes with Avelina. “Would you like another book? Shall I make suggestions?”

“Oh yes, of course. Lady Magdalen and I both like to read. What do you suggest for us?”

“This Book of Hours belonged to my mother.”

He pulled a large book off the shelf and handed it to Avelina.

“And there is a Psalter here that the Duke of Pomerania gave to me. I have another Psalter that I read from. But perhaps you brought yours with you?” He peered down at her.

“I did not.”

He took the book and laid it in Avelina’s arms on top of the Book of Hours. “But if you prefer more books likeThe Song of Roland”—he searched the shelf and pulled out a smaller book—“you might like this one. It isThe Song of the Nibelungs.”

Avelina had read Dorothea’s copy of the Book of Hours as well as her Psalter, but she had long wanted to readThe Song of the Nibelungs. She bit her lip. Magdalen and Lord Thornbeck should be talking to each other. This was not at all the way she had planned this to go.

They were both looking at Avelina. She had to say something. “Magdalen and I will enjoy reading these.”

The margrave fixed first one, then the other, with an intense look. “Would you two like to go for a picnic? Winter will soon be upon us and we should enjoy the mild weather while we can.”

They both seemed to be waiting for Avelina to answer. “Of course, we would be pleased to accept your invitation.”

“I shall have some servants come along with us, to ensure safety and propriety. And you may also bring your own servants if you wish.”

A few moments later Avelina found herself carrying three books while walking back upstairs to change into sturdier clothing suitable for a picnic. Magdalen whispered, “Do you think he will invite the other ladies, or only we two?”

“I don’t know.” She hoped he would invite everyone, and if he didn’t, that Fronicka would not hear of it.