Chapter 4

I had no interest in any of it and kept my head down.

Julian picked up on my mood right away.

He pulled me over and brushed his thumb along the corner of my eye. "You should have been the one out there today, but the gown didn't fit.

"That's the only reason Sabrina helped. I know how much you were looking forward to wearing it."

When the gown was first commissioned, I'd spent three months at home choosing the designer.

But when the meeting was set, Sabrina said it wasn't safe to meet a stranger and went in my place, and every conversation after that went through her.

The finished gown kept the color I'd wanted.

The design was the exact opposite of everything I'd asked for.

Julian kissed my forehead. "It's all right.

"You'll be my Donna in the end. I'm marrying you. It doesn't matter who stood at an engagement party."

None of it mattered anymore. He was right about that much.

I pushed him off, done listening to any more of it. "I'm fine."

I was leaving. There was nothing left worth being angry about.

Seeing that I was fine, Julian seemed to relax, and he smiled.

Soon all of this would be over.

"Come out to the estate with me tomorrow. We'll get the vows signed."

I didn't want to go, but if I refused they'd only decide I was sulking again, and that would make more trouble on my way out.

The next day I went to Vescari Estate as agreed.

It was my first time there. Sabrina had always come in my place. Only then did I notice that the garden looked almost exactly like the one she'd built at home.

As I crossed it, I heard a familiar voice.

It was Sabrina. She gave a little cry and said, playfully cross, "She's shedding again."

Julian said, "It's fine. I'll have someone clean it up."

Sabrina was here, and I'd had no idea. I stood at the edge and watched the two of them brush the dog.

The dog caught my scent, sprang off the table, and came at me barking. The hair went up on my arms and a thin sweat broke across my back.

Before I could react, it had my pant leg in its teeth.

I was too frightened to make a sound.

Sabrina hurried over, scooped it up, and scolded it softly, "No biting."

Julian helped me up. "Are you all right? Sabrina has been keeping a dog for you. We know you're afraid of dogs, so she picked out a gentle one ahead of time.

"Her name's Mia. She's usually very good.

"Once you move in, you won't have to go pick out a new one."

I stood there frozen, my hands stiff at my sides. I've been afraid of dogs my whole life and never once wanted one.

Why had Sabrina picked one for me? Why had she raised it for me?

It struck me as absurd, and a small sound of contempt escaped me.

Sabrina said, "She's very affectionate. She turned four this year."

Only then did I learn that she'd been raising a dog for me at this estate for four years.

I didn't argue. I pressed my heartbeat down and sat carefully. My leg had escaped, but there were several holes torn in my pants.

Sabrina handed the dog to a housekeeper and gave the order in the tone of the woman of the house. "Give her a bath, get her cleaned up, and feed her."

Julian said, "You're feeding her again? Look how fat she's getting."

"Eating well is healthy."

The two of them went back and forth like a married couple raising a child.

A few minutes later it was Father Rinaldi who reminded them why we were there.

He took out the vow book, and before it reached my hands Sabrina took it first.

Father Rinaldi said, "Look it over carefully and sign your own names. You'll recite these at the wedding next month."

My hand hung awkwardly in the air. I gave a dry laugh and pulled it back.

Julian smiled at me. "Let her check it over for you. She's your sister. She still worries. Let her look."

It hadn't mattered to me to begin with.

But as Sabrina read, she picked up a pen. "I'll sign for you. It's safer. You're the family heir, so even your handwriting should stay private."

I frowned and started to speak.

Julian talked me down. "Sabrina always thinks further ahead."

I looked up at her again. She'd already signed and was turning the book toward me. My eyes landed on the handwriting.

My face went stiff.

The name written on the line for the one making the vow wasn't mine.