Chapter 32

Kenna read the letter, a courier brought her a few minutes ago, for the umpteenth time, crumpled it up and threw it angrily towards the door, just as Lola entered the chamber.

She picked the paper ball up from the floor and unfolded it. "What is that?" she asked curiously.

But instead of a reasonable response, she had to listen to Kenna's ranting.

"I hate her!" Kenna shouted exasperated. "She is only doing that, because she wants to keep Bash away from me!"

Lola read the letter and then lowered it. "They continue their journey to Scotland?" she repeated the content of the letter.

"Isn't it awesome?" Kenna said sarcastically. She crossed her arms over her chest. „It was not enough that they stayed an entire month in England to discuss the political and military situation with Elizabeth. Now they are going to make holidays in Scotland!"

"It's her birthplace." Lola said, shrugging her shoulders. „And she is still Queen of Scotland, too."

„I know that. But that gives her no right to leave everything behind. She also has affairs to solve in France!"

"You're just upset because you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous!" Kenna stomped her foot on the ground. "I believe Bash, when he says that it's over between him and Mary. But I don't trust her."

"She's your friend. She would do nothing to hurt you." Lola stepped to her friend and put a hand on her arm, reassuringly. "Bash doesn't know why you want him to come home."

"And I won't tell him. That's for sure." Kenna put a hand on her still flat stomach. "How could I be so foolish and sleep with him, when I was fully aware of the consequences!" she scolded herself.

„Just calm down!" Lola squeezed slightly Kenna's hand. "They will probably only stay a few more days until they come back."

"This gives me only little satisfaction." Kenna rolled her eyes. „As long as Mary has such a strong influence on him, we can't be happy together."

"What do you mean by that?" Lola asked frowning.

"As soon as both are back, I will ask Bash to move out."

"He is her deputy." Lola pointed out. "And he has been devoted to her over three years. That's the reason why she takes him with her to public negotiations. She needs an ally on her side she can trust. Bash has proven to be very loyal. She won't give up on that."

"He will have to decide." Kenna raised her chin stubbornly. "Either Mary or me!"

"You don't really mean that." Lola looked at her shocked. "You cannot give him an ultimatum!"

"Why not? Three years ago, no one asked me if I wanted to go." A horrible thought crossed her mind. "It was Mary, who had arranged everything that I could leave the country. Bash had made it clear that he didn't want to accept the child as his and that he was not interested in a relationship with me. Good for Mary. This way, she could get rid of me."

"No, Kenna, you're jumping to the wrong conclusions!" Lola cut in. "You had put yourself in that precarious situation. Mary just wanted to help you."

But Kenna would not listen. "And then she had bent him to her will."

"She was the one who brought you and Bash back together!"

"Only to impress him. In fact, she pursues her own plans."

Lola breathed a sigh. "You actually believe, that Mary is plotting against you?" She shook her head. "You have known her for ages. You cannot really believe what you're saying."

"I wished I'm wrong, but the evidence is overwhelming." Kenna took the letter from Lola. "There is only one way to find out whether I'm right..."

"And what would that be?" Lola asked curiously.

"Very simple. I travel to Scotland!"

"Are you out of your mind? You cannot travel to Scotland. Not in your condition!" Lola said exasperated.

"When I was pregnant with Daniel, I travelled to Sweden." Kenna countered. „Could you watch out for him a few days? Bernadette is here, too. You can share the responsibiliy with her. Apart from that, he is at the stables most of the time anyway."

"That's crazy!" Lola shook her head. "You will really spy on them?"

"Call it what you want. The only thing I know is, that I can't wait another month."

Lola sighed in frustration. "You're stubborn as a mule! Well, I'll look after Daniel. But how will you get to Scotland?"

"I'm taking the carriage. It is more comfortable than riding, and I won't risk my baby's well-being." She put her hand on her belly. "I'm going to say goodbye to Daniel and then pack my things."

Lola nodded reluctantly. With ambivalent feelings, she looked after Kenna, when she left for the stables.