Page 2 of The Last Knight

Chapter Two

“Namaste,” Aubrey Macguire bent at the waist and so did her students. Conversations about what the rest of the day held began as the ten ladies who’d attended rolled up their mats, expertly tying them into straps that could be slung over their shoulders.

One woman, a pretty redhead, waved goodbye to Aubrey before walking to where she’d left her bicycle.

The village where Aubrey lived was small enough that people who lived there could walk or bicycle everywhere. Except for those, like her, who lived on the outskirts.

Ashcraig Hall, the large estate that Aubrey called home, was about ten miles from the village, just far enough that she drove her 1992 red MG, a car she’d finally convinced her father to give to her.

Thankfully the weather was pleasant, sunny with a cool wind, so she could run errands without worry of rain. After storing her mat and Bluetooth speaker in the MG, Aubrey made her way to the first task on her list, the market. The cooler temperature and soft music filled the space as she pulled the door open and entered. There were only a few things on her list, but she meandered, perusing the shelves, in case something caught her interest. When she eased the shopping basket onto the counter, emptying the contents one by one, a bored looking clerk gave a lukewarm smile, taking to the task with slow movements as Aubrey placed each item into her tote.

Glancing at her watch, Aubrey hurried to meet her friend. Zina waved her over with more enthusiasm than their usual coffee date called for. She sat outside the village café, which was perfect since Aubrey had planned to ask that they enjoy the sunny weather.

“I can’t wait to share something with you!” Zina shrieked.

“Can we get coffee first?” Aubrey asked with a wide grin, her gaze sweeping over her friend. “I would ask how you are, but it seems you’re great.”

“Coffee, yes, great idea.” Zina hurried inside and Aubrey followed. Her friend went to the counter and leaned forward to study the menu. “We’ll take two lattes and two croissants.” She smiled at Aubrey. “My treat please.”

Aubrey narrowed her eyes. “Whatever your announcement is, you’re making me nervous. You only offer to pay on my birthday.”

They returned to the same table.

Zina met Aubrey’s gaze with intensity. “Guess what?”

“I have no idea.”

Zina bit her bottom lip, her lips curving into a grin. “Guess something.”

A long breath escaped. “All right, you got a promotion.”

“Oh,” Zina frowned. “I did. Totally forgot to tell you, I got a raise, but it was tiny. I’m sure I got the so-called promotion to quiet me since I found out Emma got a raise.” Zina worked at a solicitor’s office and had an ongoing feud with her coworker. She brightened again. “But that’s not what my announcement is.”

A young woman neared and placed the coffee and croissants on the table’s surface. Aubrey thanked her while Zina didn’t seem to notice.

“Jeffrey asked me to move in with him. He said we should start thinking about getting married.” Zina spoke so fast, Aubrey wasn’t sure she heard right.

“But you just started dating…” she began.

“No we haven’t, girl, it’s been almost a year,” Zina exclaimed. “Besides, we see each other almost daily.” They’d actually started dating closer to five months ago, but they had known each other much longer.

Aubrey’s stomach did funny things. Her appetite disappeared. Zina had met Jeffrey through her and her ex-boyfriend, Marcus, who was Jeffrey’s best friend. Just weeks after Zina and Jeffrey started dating, Marcus announced he wanted to see other people.

After dating for three years, the sudden breakup had taken a toll on Aubrey, sending her into a deep sadness that had lingered for months. Now Zina and Jeffrey were taking the next step in their relationship.

Since Aubrey’s cousin Erin had recently married a wonderful man who doted on her and now Zina taking another step with Jeffrey, her closest friends were pairing up. She was happy for them, but it would be trickier to do spontaneous things now.

“You will have to be my maid of honor, there is no question,” Zina continued oblivious to Aubrey’s silence. “Isn’t it exciting!”

Just looking at Zina’s face made Aubrey smile widely. She stood, rounded the table and hugged Zina. “I am super happy for you. I can’t wait to help you plan the wedding. What about an engagement before we start picking colors and such?”

“Oh, it’s coming,” Zina proclaimed holding up her ringless hand. “I feel it in my bones.” She gave Aubrey an endearing look. “You’re next. Your aura is ripe for the picking.”

“That’s the coffee speaking,” Aubrey replied, settling back down and sipping her latte. “When my day comes, I’m sure no one will be more surprised than me, the professional bridesmaid.”

An hour later, Aubrey pulled up the round drive that came to the front of her home, a stately estate called Ashcraig Hall, which she’d inherited, along with her cousin Erin. The mansion and surrounding acreage was much too big for them, but they’d grown up there and felt a kinship to the property. They could never sell it.

As she trudged up the steps to the front door, canvas tote in hand, a huge orange cat stood and stretched by the front door with an expression of superiority. Only Oscar, a former stray, with one cloudy eye, probably from an encounter with another cat, and a jagged ear could accomplish a stance of regal indignance and get away with it.