Talek’s steady gaze settled on her too, holding her firmly with invisible hands. ‘It appears your mood is contagious, Amelia. Grace looks as if she has maudlin thoughts of her own.’
She was already beginning to question her promise to Amelia, but now, under Talek’s thoughtful gaze, she felt she could not breathe.
‘I could take you to the coast.’ Talek’s suggestion was just what Amelia needed. It was time to leave them as a day trip between brother and sister had no place for her. She had almost passed him when he added, ‘You too, Grace.’
Talek smiled at her, halting her in her step. There was no hint of sarcasm or lack of warmth, and it was directed only to her.
‘I . . . I have things to do.’
She knew that her lacklustre excuse didn’t fool him, but it was Amelia who pressed her further.
‘Yes, do come with us. I’m sure a day out will lift my spirits. Wouldn’t it, Talek?’
Talek ignored his sister. ‘You look unsure, Grace. Is the thought of spending the day in my company so unpalatable?’
He waited for an answer, his intense gaze searching deep inside her as if he was trying to read her thoughts. Thoughts that wanted to reassure him that it was not his company she wanted to escape from, but the promise she had just made to his sister. Instead she forced a smile.
‘I would love to go. I will fetch a shawl for Amelia.’ Grace felt the weight of Talek’s watchful gaze as she left the room, aware she had failed to convince him by her enthusiastic reply.
* * *
Porthpean Beach was the chosen destination for Amelia’s outing. Secluded and quiet, with a temperate climate and calm waters, it also had easy access from the little village on the cliff to the sandy bay down below. This meant that the carriage they were travelling in brought Amelia to within carrying distance of the grainy sand and although the bay was secluded, it was near to civilisation should help be required.
Grace watched Talek shrug off his jacket and lift his sister from the carriage. Despite his muscles flexing taut beneath his shirt, he carried Amelia as if she weighed no more than a child. It reminded Grace of the first day she had seen him and the comparison highlighted how much her feelings had changed towards him. Yet the web of secrets she now found herself entangled in, robbed her of any pleasure in his company. She wished, for the umpteenth time that day, she had declined the invitation.
Grace carried Amelia’s blankets and cushions and followed them silently down the slipway. Amelia squealed with delight as the bay came into view. Three small boats peppered the sea, waiting to take visitors for a leisurely row. Amelia begged to be taken out in one. Initially Talek was reluctant to leave Grace on the beach alone so soon after their arrival, but after her reassurance, he had little choice but to indulge his sister.
‘You should join us too,’ he said as she wrapped a blanket about Amelia’s shoulders.
‘The boat is only big enough for two. A third will only topple it over. I’ll stay here and make a comfortable place for us to sit.’
The comment held a deeper meaning than she intended, which wasn’t lost on Amelia. Her silent ‘thank you’, directed at her over her brother’s shoulder as he carried her to a boat, was almost too much to bear. Grace attempted a smile back, then turned away and set off in search of a suitable spot. She found it by a rock that had, over the centuries, been sanded smooth by the English Channel’s blustery winds. The spot was sheltered, but still had a fine view of the bay, perfect for Amelia. She carefully laid the two cushions she had with her against a rock and stretched out a blanket over the soft sand.
Grace settled herself down and shielded her eyes from the midday sun. Amelia was already sitting in a boat near the water’s edge and Talek was paying the boatman for its use. Her brother was barefoot, with his trousers rolled up to mid-calf, such a far cry from his usual suited attire. After a brief conversation, both men pushed the boat out into the deeper water and Talek climbed aboard. Amelia’s carefree laughter carried across the beach on the breeze and Grace found herself smiling. It felt good to watch them having fun, as Talek’s muscled shoulders strained against his shirt with each drag of the oar. The sight stirred something inside her, a mixture of longing and sadness for something that was not hers. He was so gentle and kind to his sister, yet in Grace’s company he often behaved stilted and troubled. For the first time, she felt she was seeing the true man beneath the hard exterior and wished she knew this side of him better. She began to imagine what it would be like to have those strong arms around her, because despite how she appeared to others, she felt quite alone, like a boat out at sea with no land in sight.
The boat trip was soon over and Talek returned carrying Amelia in his arms. His hair was tousled by the incoming breeze, whilst Amelia’s smile was bright and carefree as she carried his socks and shoes in the crook of her lap.
‘You should take Grace out in the boat,’ said Amelia as they approached. ‘We must look after Grace as she does for me. Go pay the boatman to take her out too, Talek.’
Grace felt heat rise up to her face. She efficiently puffed up the cushion and positioned it behind Amelia’s back as Talek placed her carefully on the blanket.
‘I don’t think Grace wants to. She does not look amused at your suggestion,’ observed Talek, dryly.
Grace realised they were both looking at her and expecting a reply — Amelia smiling, Talek less so. Did he really want to take her out in the boat? She couldn’t tell.
‘I would prefer to take a walk along the beach. Do you mind if I take a stroll, Amelia?’
Amelia waved her hand. ‘Yes, go. Talek will look after me.’
Grace finished tucking a blanket around Amelia’s legs, aware Talek’s gaze had not left her. She wanted to escape from his watchful eyes. Running away, she realised, was a habit she was finding hard to break.
Grace watched the boatman drag the last of his boats high up on the shore. By the time she had reached the marks made by their small, wooden hulls, he was gone. She looked about her and realised that the beach was empty, but for Amelia and Talek in the far distance. Grace turned to the sea, toying with the idea of leaving too. She could escape from her troubles by taking a boat and finding an island where no one would know her. Somewhere where Amelia and Talek would never learn the truth about her past and Alfred could not find her. Where she could forget she had ever learnt about Henry’s deceit and was keeping it from Talek. How inviting the smooth waters looked. How tempting the notion was.
‘You look miles away.’ Talek’s voice startled her. ‘You’ve been standing here for ten minutes or more. I thought I would come over to keep you company.’
Grace looked behind him to Amelia, who remained where they had left her.
‘Amelia is asleep. I think the sea air has exhausted her. She will come to no harm.’
‘She is stronger than she looks.’
Talek followed her gaze. They both saw her lift her hand to her face before it fell away in a carefree slumber.
‘If only that was true. However, she is within sight so we will know if she needs us.’
Grace frowned. ‘You talk as if she is unwell.’
‘She is well at the moment. Shall we walk?’ He took a step along the water’s edge, but Grace did not follow him. He turned back to face her.
‘What do you mean? If there is a problem with Amelia’s health, I should know of it. Perhaps I could help . . . be more vigilant.’
Talek retraced his steps and looked down at her, his eyes reflecting the struggle inside him. ‘Perhaps, as her companion, you should be aware. Her doctor believes she will not live beyond her thirtieth year. Her immobility makes her susceptible to pneumonia and complications from the stagnation of her blood. Both of which could kill her.’
Grace gasped. ‘Oh, Talek, I had no idea. She did not say.’
‘She doesn’t know and I would prefer it to stay that way. Despite you believing me an ogre—’
‘Not an ogre.’
