The next day I woke to the sound of horses. I blinked at the sunlight that shone through the thick curtains and looked down at Lucan who was looking at the window with the same curiosity. I pushed back the covers and grabbed the green silk robe that was beside the bed and walked to the window. I pushed back the drapes and the pink sky was the first thing I noticed. It was pink and orange and yellow and blue all mixed into one with the rising sun. The sound of a horses cry made me look down and I saw three men struggling with a beautiful white horse. I watched as they wrestled it to the ground. I got a sinking feeling as I watched them tying her down. The oldest man yelled something to the boy and pointed to the small barn close to the bridge. The boy stared at the horse and that's when I knew. I raced from my room down the stairs and through the house. I pushed past servants who bowed to me and curtsied and gave me baffled looks. I pushed through the large doors that led to the gardens and raced past the king as he ate his breakfast with another gentleman in a blue jacket. I jumped over rose bushes and cut through shrubs and in the end I made it to the group as the boy came back with the shotgun.

"No!" I screamed and flung myself on the horse.

"Miss, excuse us." The man said.

"No you can not kill this horse." I said holding tightly to the horse's neck. It had quieted at my touch and lay breathing heavily.

"Get out of the way Miss." The man snapped through clenched teeth. I looked up at him and glared at him.

"No."

"Her leg is injured Miss." Another man spoke quietly as he bent down beside the horse. He gently ran his hand through her golden hair and gave her a sad smile.

"It can be fixed." I said not knowing if it were true or not.

"What's going on here?" The King's voice appeared behind me and the men instantly straightened up. I didn't move, afraid that if I did they would get their chance to kill the horse.

"Pardon us Your Grace, but Miss Simon will not let us put the beast out of its misery." The old man said.

"She is only in misery because she knows your going to kill her for a scratch. Something that you probably caused." I spat without looking at them. Everyone was quiet for a second and then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Susanna?" He knelt down beside me and patted the horse's soft hair. "She's very beautiful."

"You can't let them kill her. We can fix it. I know we can." I said and tears filled my eyes. He studied my expression for a second and then looked at the horse. He sighed and shook his head.

"How bad is it Tad?" Adam asked and the kind man knelt on the other side of us. He lifted the mare's front leg and I saw the huge gash just above her thigh. A slow trickle of blood poured from the wound and the muscle underneath pulsed with her movements.

"It's bad sir."

"Is it treatable?"

"It will cost a lot of money and time. Someone will have to monitor the horse at all times."

"But it can be fixed?" I asked and the man called Tad sighed and nodded. I smiled and wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"You are in full charge of this horse. Make sure she gets all the treatment she needs and that she is treated well." Tad nodded but he didn't look too pleased about it. "Any updates or problems you report to Miss Simon here." I looked up at the sound of my name and the King nodded at me. "Congratulations Susanna, you are the proud owner of this horse. May she see many more long rides through the countryside. Now I must beg that you stand and go back inside and change." He said holding out his hands. At that moment I realized I was still in my dressing clothes and the robe. The men smirked around me and the man in the blue jacket stroked a pale mustache as he looked at me with squinting eyes. I took a deep breath, held my head high and curtsied before I left. I know I was going to the talk of the town for a while so as I passed through the gate to the garden I gave a high-pitched whistle and Lucan came running to my side. I smirked as I heard the men break into laughter.

As I pinned back the last loose strand of hair there was a knock on my door. I pinched my cheeks and then went to answer it. Alexander stood on the other side and smiled brightly as I opened the door.

"Hello!" I said smiling brightly.

"I am here to escort you to lunch." He said sticking out his arm. I smiled at him and took it. The woman who had been assigned to dress me lingered behind in the room.

"Are you coming too Mary?" I asked her and she blinked at me.

"Susanna, it's a special lunch." Alex said shaking his head with a smile. "Special invitations only." I frowned and looked back at Mary, who was probably about Debbie's age.

"Well I promise we'll eat breakfast together tomorrow then." I said with a smile and she nodded her head, but there was no hope in her eyes. I called for Lucan and we started off down the hallway.

"You make friends with the wrong people." Alex said.

"How so?"

"You might want to impress those with higher class, than those who clean out your bed pan."

"Poor or rich people are all the same and everyone deserves the same courtesy." I said and Alex chuckled.

"You are one of a kind." He shook his head again. "So what excuse do you give for your wonderful performance this morning?" I blushed.

"They were going to kill her."

"The cow you're about to eat for lunch was killed as well, are you going to run to the butcher and demand him to give you all of his cows?"

"No but, they were killing her for no reason."

"She's injured. It is going to cost the king a fortune to care for her and he's trying to win a war." Alex said with an irritated voice. I stopped at the top of the steps and looked down at him.

"Are you mad at me for trying to save an innocent creatures life?"

"I'm trying to make you see that sometimes you have to think about things before you act. That horse could offer many great things with his death. Meat to feed the mouths of your new friends babes." He said looking back down the hallway. "Leather for riding shoes for the men going off to war."

"You know as well as I do that the men are never offered new shoes in battle."

"Perhaps a pair of wonderful leather shoes for you." He said with a smirk and I cringed.

"Please don't make me vomit before lunch." I said linking my arm through his again.

"Just remember Susanna. You have been brought here for a reason."

"And what reason is that?" I said smirking.

"To be taught the ways of court and to create an impression."

"Why must I be taught the ways of co-"

"There you are." Adam said standing by the dinning room doors. He nodded at Alex, who offered my arm to him and disappeared into the darkness.

"I need to introduce you to my dear friend Lord Michael Meducci and his wife Lady Regan." He said pointing into the dinning room. Lord Michael stood and I noticed that it was the same man from the garden. I smiled slightly and nodded to him. He was a tall man with white hair and a white mustache. His eyes were blue and cold when they looked at you and there was no joy to his face. He stood erect and placed one hand behind his back while the other touched his mustache. Uncomfortable by his stare I smiled at his wife. She was an older woman with long black hair. She took was tall and thin and looked as if she hadn't smiled since she was a baby. Her dark brown eyes studied the pale blue dress that I chose to wear today and with a nod she turned away from me.

"It's nice to meet you." I said politely bowing my head to them and they copied my action.

"Lord Michael is my councilor and closest friend." He said with a bright smile and the old man stretched his face to attempt a smile.

"I am honoured, Your Grace." He wheezed.

"Please, let us eat now before I get a headache." Adam said placing his hand lightly on my back and steering me to my place. I sat to his right and Lord Michael sat on his left, with his wife beside him. They stared at something to my left and I became aware of Lucan's hot breath on my bare arm.

"Go lie down." I ordered with a snap of my fingers. He snorted in disappointment but did as he was told and laid by the door.

"He is well trained." Lady Regan said.

"Only when Susanna commands him." Adam smiled as he placing a starch white napkin on his lap.

"I rescued him when he was a tiny pup and since then he is attached at my hip." I said trying to ignore the blush on my face.

"He's quite the animal." Lord Michael said studying him.

"Yes, very ugly. But he protects our Susanna. So we let him stay." Adam said smiling brightly at me. I didn't know if I should be offended that he called my dog ugly or flattered that he cared. I smiled slightly and studied the bowl of green leaves that sat on a plate in front of me. It had sunflower seeds, strawberries and light oil dressing on it.

"What's the matter dear?" Lady Regan asked, leaning close to me.

"I…I have never eaten this before." At that they all burst out laughing, Lady Regan's laugh was the loudest.

"Never eaten a common salad? Where did you find this girl? On the streets?" She mocked and I blanked.

"No," Adam smiled but his cheeks were slightly red. "What she meant is that she has never had this particular salad before, right Susanna?" His eyes begged me and I nodded.

"Yes." I laughed. "Who thought to put Strawberries into a salad?" I asked as I dug my salad fork into the leaves and tasted the dull plainness of it. The strawberries were the best part but I suffered through it. And through the next dish which was a clam chowder soup with salted bread and fried mushrooms. And the next dish of stuffed chicken with baked potatoes, carrots and onions. And I could barely finish my dessert of chocolate pudding and a small glass of sherry.

When lunch was finished, the dishes were cleared and the table was bare Adam rose. His stomach was still as flat as if he hadn't eaten a thing. But when I rose I felt like I was months with child.

"Ladies, we must be excused. There is so much to talk about when a war is taking place." He said with a merry smile. He nodded to Lady Regan and kissed my hand. "See you at dinner?" He said and I smiled as I tried not to vomit at the thought of more food.

"Susanna, shall we take a walk? I'm afraid our King really out did himself and I am feeling extremely stuffed." Lady Regan said once the men were gone. She held out her arm for me and I hesitated for a second. All I wanted to do was go and have a nap. But I smiled bravely and took her arm and we strode out to the garden.

The garden was a maze of colours. The tall hedges outlined the walls so you couldn't see past to the lochs or fields around the castle. As you walked along the cobble pathway the colours exploded. The amount of flowers and plants in this garden took your breath away and instantly put you at peace. Lady Regan rambled on about her garden back in York and talked about how her sons used to play knights and dragons in the tall hedges.

"Do you have children dear?" She asked as she gently smelt a red rose.

"No." I thought of Andrew and the lie I had told. If it were true my son would be almost born. "My husband died a few months ago and a child was never produced."

"Oh a widow." She nodded and then gave me a sad look. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." I said and moved away down to cement bench that was surrounded by tall yellow flowers.

"Where did you live?" She asked and when I looked at her puzzled she smiled. "When you were married I mean?"

"Oh we lived in Worcester." I said with a smile. "It's a lovely house, or it was a lovely house. It caught fire recently and I haven't had the heart to repair it."

"So where are you living now?" She asked me appalled.

"With my father and brothers." I answered hesitantly. Lucan started to growl as he sensed my uncomfort and this caused Lady Regan to jump.

"I did not mean to offend dear." She was talking to me but staring hesitantly at the dog. "I was just curious."

"Lucan, enough." I said and he gave one last growl before he walked to my side and sat down resting his head on my knees.

"Quite the animal." Lady Regan said. There was a loud trumpeting sound from far off in the distance and we all froze. A trumpet that was rushed was never a good sound.

"What do you think has happened?" I asked as I stood suddenly.

"It must be some news of the war." Lady Regan said.

"Shall we go and find out?"

"I imagine his highness will come to us directly." She said but never looked away from the house.

"Well…let's walk back to the house for a refreshment then." I said and walked ahead of her with Lucan trailing behind me. The sinking feeling in my heart made me feel like I weighed an extra ten pounds. Something was wrong, I just knew it.

As we strode into the house the servants were in a panic. They were standing around chatting with each other and gossiping. Some women were crying while the young men talked of getting their forces together and heading off to fight.

"What is it?" I asked a group of kitchen scullions but they gave me one look and fell silent. I sighed with frustration and moved on. I spotted Tad, the horse tamer and grabbed his arm gently.

"Tad. Please. What's happened?" He blinked at me and shook his head.

"The men are fleeing France. The war seems to be over."

"Over already?" I said and looked down the hallway at all the people. I thought of Jesse and smiled. "But that's good isn't it?"

"Half of the King's men were taken prisoner and it is because of them that there is a retreat."

"Oh…" My heart dropped.

"There's more. There is talk of the French coming to invade England." He said and with that everything faded away and all I could think about was my family. I had heard of what war does to a country. It causes poverty, and sickness. It brings evil and death.

"But they can't." I said, my eyes filling with tears. "They can't come here. Can they?" I looked for Tad, but he was gone. I looked around for someone to talk to; someone who would give me answers but everyone was in a frenzy. Oh I wish everyone would just go away. It was as if they all heard my thought, because everyone jumped and scurried from the hall. I was left standing by the study doors.

"Miss Simon." Lord Michael greeted as he and the King headed for the study. Adam gave me a sheepish look. His face was pale and his eyes were red. I reached out to touch him but Lord Michael took a step towards me and I retracted my hand. "His Grace has urgent matters that he must see to and shall do so in the privacy of his study." He snapped and stared me down until I moved out of the way. Adam studied my face as if I were going to disappear into thin air.

"Your Grace?" A man said from behind him. Adam looked at him and coughed. He nodded to me and went into the room, closing the door behind him and his councilors.

"Come now Miss." Mary said gently guiding me to the staircase. "Why don't you have a wee lie down." As she spoke I nodded but Adam's face had stuck in my mind. It was a look I had never expected to see on his face. It was a look of defeat.

A week passed before things started to feel normal again. People were still anxious to hear news about their loved ones or about the French invasion but they did it quietly. Riders came and went once every few hours and no one saw the King except for his councilors and his hand servants. To keep myself busy Alex would accompany me, when I walked Lucan, through the forest on the other side of the bridge. We would spend hours in the forest talking, while he was supposed to be tending to the King.

On those rare occasions that Alex was busy I would go to the barn. My horse was doing wonderfully for being a lost cause. Of course she laid around all day but when her muscles were healing, she needed to be off of them. And to keep her off her feet Tad would given her a sleeping draught, made from various plants. But when I came and visited her she would perk up and try to stand. I had taken to bringing things along with me, such as apples and sugar cubes as Tad told me she liked. Even Lucan liked her.

Lucan and I would sit in her stall, after I mucked it, and I would sing to her, or tell her stories as I would brush out her mane. She would be sleeping of course but there was something comforting in the feeling of the brush running through her think hair. Lucan would rest his head on hers and the two would fall asleep while I sat there for an hour and cared for her.

I thought of her name one day while I was changing the bandages on her leg. Tad was showing me how to do it and telling her that she was a brave girl every time that she whined. Her bravery made me think of Andrew, which then led me to think of Mother and her obsession with the Knights of the Round Table. I remembered her telling me about the bravest knight, Sir Pelleas. He was born of low birth but proved to be one of Arthur's bravest men.

One night while I was brushing out her hair and humming a tune Tad appeared at the stall.

"How is she tonight?" He asked bending down to pat Lucan's head. Tad was a tall man, extremely handsome with tanned skin and bright blonde hair both from being in the sunlight all day. He always smiled at me and never got angry. I liked to watch him with the animals because he was always calm and gentle and spoke to them in a language I could not understand.

"She is alright. She has been nipping at her bandage, but I suspect it is just the itch of new skin." I said as I patted her head. Tad poured the sleeping potion, which he carried in a wineskin at his side, into a bowl and held it to her mouth. She hesitated at first, knowing that it would bring a deep sleep but she drank every drop.

"What are we calling this beauty?" he asked as he stroked her braided hair.

"Pelleas." I said with a proud smile. "Or Lea for short."

"Lea. I like it." He said with a satisfied nod. "A pretty name for a pretty horse." Lea's tail flopped at the compliment and we laughed. We sat with her in silence until she fell asleep and then I draped a yellow blanket over her and we left the stall. It was dark out and tiny lightning bugs flickered in the air around us.

"Thank you for taking care of her." I said as we reached the path to the house. Tad lived stayed in the servant's quarters but he liked to go into town with the rest of the men for a drink.

"She's a great horse. It would be a shame to see her go." He said looking back into the barn. I nodded my head in agreement and we fell silent.

"Well good night." I said snapping my fingers to indicate to Lucan that he was to follow.

"Miss Simon?" Tad called and I turned around.

"You can call me Susanna." I said with a smile.

"Susanna. Are you going to marry him?" I stared at him stunned.

"Marry who? The King?" I asked and he looked down at his hands and nodded.

"No. He is just a dear friend." I said. Tad looked up and smiled slightly/

"Well I hope to see more of you then." He said and nodded before he walked down the pathway towards the town. I watched him walk and thought back to what Alex had said. Maybe everyone was expecting us to marry because the King had no other women in his life? Maybe they all assumed that he loved me, but in reality we were just dear friends? Then again…

Lucan's bark startled me and I smiled at him as I headed towards the house.

The day Lea started to walk was the hottest day of the year. The barn was unbearably hot and it was no wonder that she suddenly found the strength to walk. Tad put a bridle on Lea, which she struggled with for 20 minutes, and then let me walk her down to the water. She still wore the bandage and her walk was slow and cautious but when we got to the water she was more than happy to get a drink and to be cooled down with a tin bucket of water.

"Look at her." Alex said appearing beside me

"I know. She's so energetic now." I said patted her wet hair. She shook her mane and sprayed water all over my dress. It was a good thing that I had started to wear the plainer clothing. Light dresses made of dark purple or green so that if mud got on it, it could be hidden or wouldn't stain.

"I feel like going for a swim." Alex said as he stared out over the lochs.

"I agree. The water looks so inviting." The water was calmer today, due to the fact that there was no wind in the air. It sparkled with the sunlight and gently drifted from one loch to the other.

"I can't swim because I have to ride into Edinburgh, but why wont you swim?"

"Because I have to many things to do." I lied.

"What? Your dog is already in the water." He said looking out at Lucan who was swimming at a duck that was floating on the water. We watched as he attempted to catch it but it flew away right at the last second. "And your horse is resting in the shade." He spoke looking over his shoulder at Lea who had limped away and laid down under a large tree. I smirked at her and she gave me a quick neigh before picking at her bandage.

"Swimming suits were not something the King thought to make for me." I said sticking my nose in the air trying to sound stuck up.

"That is what your skin is for." He said, smirking at my shock and kissed my cheek. He had planted the idea in my head and I couldn't get it out, no matter how many times I splashed water onto my face. I looked around to see if there was anyone close. Trees and bushes guarded the area so no one would see me. It took a large black fly that liked the taste of sweat on my neck to make the decision for me.

I quickly undid the large purple buttons at the front of the dress and slid it off like a jacket. Underneath I wore a white dressing gown that was see through from sweat and slipped off my black riding boots. I hung the dress on the branch by Lea's head and took out the clasps in my hair. It fell down my back to the top of my bottom and stuck there. I took a deep, nervous breath and raced into the water. Lucan barked happily as I splashed through the cold crystals. I drove under the water and felt my body instantly relax.

I had never noticed before how much I loved to swim. It was the most relaxing thing in the world. The way the world went silent around you as you dove under the water. The feeling of your hair spreading out behind you like a tail and the stream of bubbles that brushed against your cheek as you let out all the air in your lungs. It was the best feeling in the world.

I broke the surface and inhaled deeply. Lucan was at my side licking my face and eating at the water. I smiled and splashed him to which he barked at me and started back for shore. I laughed and stretched out on the water, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my body and the water surrounding me.

Lucan's bark made me jump and I sat up. A figure was coming towards the water and it wouldn't take long for them to figure out that I was naked. I sunk low in the water and tried to cover myself as best as I could. When I saw his blonde hair my heart dropped. He looked at the sleeping horse and the sopping dog and noticed my clothes hanging from the tree. He shaded his eyes from the sun and looked out over the water.

"Susanna?" Adam called and I died.

"Yes." I said after a moment of silence.

"What in heavens are you doing?" He asked, but I could tell he was amused.

"Swimming." I said, trying to sound like I wasn't completely mortified. "It's too hot out today and the water looked so refreshing, so I just…went in."

"Without your clothes I see." He said looking back at the dress.

"Well I was afraid that I would ruin it. Or drown." I said and smiled when he started laughing.

"Well I send someone down with a towel for you. But I would like to eat dinner with you tonight, if you wouldn't mind." He said patting Lucan gently on the head as the dog smelled his pants.

"I would love to." I said still crouching low in the water.

"I'll send for you at six then." He said with a smile and a quick wave before he walked back up the hill. I groaned and flopped back into the water. That would've been awkward if he had come 10 minutes earlier. I splashed around in the water as I waited for the towel. Mary gave me a smirk as she held out the large, white soft towel for me.

"People will be talkin' 'bout this fer months." She said and chuckled.

"Why no one ever swims out here?" I said ringing out my hair. "The water is beautiful."

"No one swims out there alone." She said and helped me slid the stiff dressing gown over my head.

"Why? Are there scary mermaids?" I said with a laugh and Mary shook her head.

"No, well not that I know of." She held out the dress for me as I put my arms reluctantly into the sleeves. "It's called Lover's bay."

"What?"

"This area where you were just swimming. It's called Lover's Bay. It has been the result of many births over the years on this tiny island."

"Uh…well…I was out here by myself."

"Of course." She said with disbelief.

"It's true. Well of course my animals were here, but it was just me."

"Yet the King instructed me to bring you a towel." She raised her eyebrows and I burst out laughing.

"Oh my. That will be quite the seed for gossip." I said laughing I grabbed the reins and led Lea back up to the barn.

Mary pulled the last curler from my hair before the door knocked. "Come in." I said and Alexander stepped into the room.

"Will you always be the one to fetch me? I'm getting bored meeting the same people." I stuck my nose in the air and tried not to laugh as he appeared in the mirror behind me.

"Oh, my apologies your highness. But I just can't seem to stay away from you. It must be your beautiful face."

"Or her exceptional modesty." Mary teased and I smiled at them. I stood up and did a twirl.

"Well how do I look?" I said looking from one friend to the other.

They both stared at my outfit, which I had saved for a special day. This was the closest thing to a special occasion. It was a scarlet red dress that sat low on my shoulders. It had short puffy sleeves and a tight bodice. It had a small red bow at the bust and a large red sash that tied around the waist and formed a bow at the back. It swished when I walk and I accompanied it with the necklace the King had given me, which I still had never taken off. I wore my hair down with extra curls, due to Mary's excellent skill and I wore a headband that had red emeralds in it. The entire ensemble made my pale skin shine bright and my dark hair look richer. It was the only outfit I had been proud enough put together.

"I think you look beautiful." Mary said with a genuine smile.

"I think you simply exquisite. The King will not be able to look away." I smiled and nodded my thanks. "I think he will especially like Lucan's attire." He teased as he looked at the dog. I had made a red silk bowtie and tied it around the dog's neck and he was still trying to bite it off.

"If I had to get dressed up then so did he." I said with a smile.

"Something tells me that you enjoy getting dressed up more than he does." Alex said as he held out his hand for me. I curtsied and took it.

"So have you finally accepted that he loves you?" Alex asked as we walked down the long hallway. I thought about this for a second and sighed.

"Alright maybe he does. But he knows that I love Jesse. He knows of our plans to marry. So I don't believe that he is trying to steal me away as you would want me to think."

"I just know that a King always gets what he wants."

"Yes but not our King Alex. Come now. He has never been unkind to us. We shouldn't think badly of him." I said, patting his arm.

"I hope your right dearest one because it's always the pretty ones who get killed and I am way to beautiful to have see an early grave." Alex said and I laughed. We were still laughing as we reached the stairs.

"Your Prince Charming awaits." He said and I smacked him gently before I walked to the dinning room doors.

"Oh Miss Simon. The King has arranged for you to eat in the garden tonight." A manservant said. He led me towards the garden and along the path until we came to a small table set for two in the middle of the garden. My stomach dropped a bit as I spotted Adam sitting at the table. He was holding a piece of paper and staring at it as if his life depended on it.

"Hello." I said, smiling despite the uncomfortable feeling growing in my stomach. Adam jumped and stuffed the letter into the pocket in his jacket. He stood up and stopped as he took in my dress. I smirked at his bare legs. He was wearing the kilt again only this time he wore a dress jacket with it. He studied my dress and hair and then blinked.

"You look…"

"Dashing, radiant, exquisite?" I teased.

"Beautiful." He breathed and I smiled as a blush rose from my chest to my face. "Uh, here. Have a seat." He said pulling out my chair for me. I smiled at him and gently sat down.

"This is nice." I said as my goblet was filled with red wine.

"I wanted it to be special." He said smiling at me. I blinked at him and was afraid to speak.

"Why?" I finally asked, but it came out no louder than a whisper. He studied my face and sighed.

"We'll save that for later. First lets enjoy a meal." He said and two waiters brought out two silver platters and placed them on the table in front of us. When the covers were lifted a pale grey blob was sitting on my plate on top of a bed of green leaves. I blinked at it and studied it. I felt Adam watching me and I was afraid to say anything. I smiled and picked up my fork and knife but I didn't know where to start.

"Um, just for curiosities sake, what is this dish called?" I asked in my sweetest voice. Adam smiled at me and cut into his dish.

"Its called Haggis."

"Oh I see." I said coping the way he cut through the tough meat.

"It's a Scottish delicacy." He said as he took a bite of the grey/brown meat.

"Oh I see." I bit into the food and the first thing I noticed was the salt. It was so salty that it made me thirsty. The next thing I noticed was the texture. I had the sudden urge to spit it out but I swallowed it and took another bite.

"Do you like it?" He asked and I nodded.

"It's wonderful." A lie.

"It's made of sheep. It's the sheep's puck, mixed with a variety of spices."

"What is sheep's puck?" I asked as I swallowed another horrible mouthful.

"The liver, heart and lungs." He said as I cut off another piece. I looked at the brown meat and a shiver went up my spine as I put it into my mouth. "It's mixed together with the spices and vegetables and stuffed into a sheep's stomach. Then boiled for three hours." Adam said and this time I could not keep the food in. I grabbed the napkin and spit it into the napkin.

"I'm sorry but that is horrible." I said and Adam burst out laughing.

"I agree. It is the worst food I have ever eaten." He said and motioned for the waiters to take it away. "But I thought it was worth the try." I shook my head as I washed my mouth out with the wine.

"So Susanna I have something that needs to be discussed before we go any further." And there it was. The thing that I had been avoiding, telling myself it wasn't true. He stared me in the eyes and gave me a small smile.

"Before you speak may I?" I asked and he nodded.

"I appreciate everything you have done for me. I really, truly do." I said and he sat back and folded his arms over his chest. "But I must admit that I am in love with Jesse. When his three months serving in the war is over he is coming home and we are to be married. But now that the war is ending we might get married sooner." I said drifting off into the possibility of the next few weeks.

"I don't think that is going to happen."

"I mean I appreciate everything you do for me and I do love you, just not in the same way." I said with a sad smile and he stared at me shocked. "Wait. What did you say?"

"I don't think your wedding is going to happen." He said sadly. He reached into my pocket as I exploded.

"You can't tell me who I can and cannot marry. Everyone told me this was going to happen but I never believed them. I stuck up for you and told them that you would never stop anyone from marrying someone they love, especially your best friend. Yet here you are- why are you giving me a piece of paper!" I snapped as he handed me the sheet he had been studying.

"Read it." He said and his eyes were suddenly tired. Or maybe they had always been tired and red and I was just noticing now. I carefully took the paper and pushed open the broken seal. My eyes skimmed the letter. Two sentences stuck out and were forever burned into my mind.

Commander DeSilva is missing. We must assume that he had been taken prisoner and is now dead.