Afterthought by M J Marlow (red white royal blue .txt) 📖

her father and grandmother following so she was not afraid to go. Silvano’s men had dismounted and were holding their mounts. One of them had a second horse with him, a gray Arabian with a jet black mane and tail. Silvano led her to it and placed the reins in her hand. Then he stepped back and watched as Eva and the mare introduced themselves to each other. He was quite impressed. The child was not in the least bit hesitant around the mare. “Her name is Zephyr,” Silvano told her. He saw the shocked look on her face. “You may change the name if it does not please you.” “No,” Eva shook her head as she stroked the mare’s neck. “I am certain it suits her. It’s just that Sebastian commented that Shalimar, the Arabian at our stables in France, should have been named Zephyr.” She looked at the horse. “I am certain you are just as swift, aren’t you, beautiful one?” She looked at her father and grandmother. “Do I have time to ride before the party, Grandmother?” “Your child knows the way of things, Stefano,” Morgana laughed. She looked at her watch. “You have two hours before you should get ready, darling. Ride your pretty mare. Silvano will bring you back when it is time.” “Of course, Mama,” Silvano smiled and picked his mother up off the ground to kiss her on each cheek. He mounted his stallion and watched Eva mount her mare with a grace that astounded him. She was definitely a horsewoman. “Come, we will show you around the estate, little princess.” They rode off with cries of joy and the dust rose with them. When it had settled, the group was already some distance from the estate. Stefano was not certain his daughter should be exposed to Silvano without a guard present. His younger brother was as boisterous as Stefano was reserved. Silvano was still young enough to get into trouble for not thinking things out. If anything happened to his daughter because of Silvano’s recklessness, he would hurt his brother. He felt a hand on his arm and looked into his mother’s knowing expression. “He will guard her with his life, Stefano,” Morgana said to him. “You worry too much. From all you have told me your darling child is more than capable of looking out for herself. If she feels he is leading her astray, I am certain she will say something to him about it.” “She may look like her mother,” Stefano nodded; “but she is definitely more Roza than Sterling.” “So come back to the garden, my son,” Morgana urged as she linked her arm through his. “Tell me more about these nightmares that plague our pretty Evangeline.” Eva rode with her uncle and his band of men across the countryside for several miles before they came to the village. They reined their horses and took seats at the restaurant. Silvano grabbed a waitress around the waist and hauled her into his lap as the pretty woman giggled and hit his shoulder. He kissed her on the cheek and set her on her feet before ordering a round of wine for him and his men and lemonade for Eva. “You’re not used to lively men, niece?” Silvano asked bluntly as he saw the girl watching him in a mixture of shock and wariness. “No,” Eva answered truthfully. She saw the waitress looking at her coldly. “Your friend doesn’t seem to like me, Uncle.” “Rosa?” Silvano saw who she was looking at and shrugged. “That one doesn’t like many people. I torment her just so I can see her smile.” He raised his glass. “A toast!” he boomed out and got to his feet. His men joined him. “To the most beautiful female on this planet; my niece Evangeline.” He bowed to her as he rose to his feet along with his men and they cheered. “To the Princess!” Eva was blushing as he and his men sat back down. He was stunned. “You have not had men compliment you on your beauty? Are they blind in England and France?” “They are not quite so – vocal,” Eva replied. She smiled at him then. “I think I’m going to like being around you, Uncle.” “And that is as it should be,” Silvano nodded, his eyes twinkling with pleasure. “No Roza should be unable to accept the truth about themselves. “We have heard you are quite ferocious, little princess,” one of the other men, Remy Primus said. “Is it true you took on three gunmen who were intent on your abduction and gave them the slip?” “Not without injury,” Eva replied. She told them what had happened and saw the anger and pride in her uncle’s eyes. “I was far more concerned about Emilio than myself. He was shot.” “That one!” Silvano laughed. “The man has a head like a boulder, Eva. Nothing short of a bomb could slow him down.” “I don’t know about that, Silvano,” one of the men in back laughed. “You forget about the time Emilio was driving your brother’s car and…” “We will not go into such stories,” Silvano broke in as he saw that Evangeline was far too interested. “No!” He turned to Rosa and raised his empty glass. “Today we celebrate the fact that my beautiful niece is home with us where she belongs!” He finished his second glass and pulled Eva to her feet. “Remain here, my friends. I take my niece shopping.” “But I…” “No arguments,” Silvano told her as he guided her across the square. “I insist you allow me to give you a present. I was in Iraq until recently and missed out on your Welcome Home party.” He looked so downcast that Evangeline didn’t remind him that he had already given her two Arabian mares. He held a door open for her and they stepped into a shop that catered to artists. “I am told you are an artist, little one. Anything you wish, it is yours.” He smiled at the old man behind the counter. “Giorgio,” he bowed his head to the man slightly. “My niece, Evangeline Roza.” “Princess,” the little man bowed to her. “You honor my shop with your presence.” He got on his feet and put a crutch under his arm to come to her side. “Is there anything specific you wish to see?” “I have been learning oils,” Eva told him, “but I have always preferred pencil sketches.” “An artist should learn about other mediums before deciding on the one that displays their talent to its full effect,” Giorgio said sagely. “We have some fine paints and canvases here.” He looked at Silvano who was over by the chalks. “Your uncle Silvano prefers chalks.” “You are an artist, Uncle?” Eva looked at the man in delight. “You must show me your work. Perhaps teach me about using chalks?” “Perhaps,” Silvano replied. He scowled at the little man and Giorgio met his dark look without fear. He walked over to a beautifully carved wooden box and opened it. “This is a fine set of pencils and paints, Eva,” he said as he drew her attention away from him and back to her. “There are brushes, and all the tools, as well.” Eva realized that her uncle did not like talking about himself. She would have to find ways to make him unbend, she thought as she examined the collection. She nodded. It would do quite well for her work. She found a sketchbook and some canvas and frames and a staple gun and looked at Silvano. “It is too much, isn’t it?” she asked him worriedly. She still was not used to being allowed anything she wanted. “Darling child,” Silvano laughed at her and ruffled her hair. “We would buy out the store for you if that is what you wanted.” He cupped her chin in his hand and looked at her seriously. “You need to stop thinking you have no right to be pampered, little one. You deserve all of it and much more besides.” He turned to Giorgio. “Can you have it delivered to the estate, Giorgio? We rode here.” “I shall bring it myself when I come for the party,” Giorgio beamed. He turned to Eva. “You will get much use from that collection, Princess. If you require more pencils or paints, you have but to send word and it shall be brought to you.” “Thank you, Giorgio.” Silvano saw the little man turn bright red with pleasure and he knew his little niece had the Roza charm. She was beautiful, she was intelligent, she was talented, she was fearless, and she was as innocent as an angel. Despite the horrors she had already been exposed to, she was not tainted. He was quite pleased to see this. Silvano had been afraid he would find his niece like her jaded mother. Evangeline was nothing like that selfish female. “Come, niece,” Silvano held out his hand to her. “We must get back to the estate to ready ourselves for the party.” They arrived to find the maid assigned to Evangeline wringing her hands. Evangeline took a shower and saw the pretty dress that had been laid out for her. It was white lace over a vivid emerald under dress. The sleeves were elbow-length and lacy underskirts made it stand out. The maid was tying an emerald sash at he waist into a bow at the back when Stefano came into the room. He smiled as he saw her. “You look lovely, child,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead. He held out a box that held a spray of white roses and baby’s breath on a gold filigree headband. He put this on her and nodded. “Quite lovely.” He held his arm out to her and she went with him. They entered the courtyard, and it had been ringed around with tables. Flowered garlands were hanging everywhere, scenting the area with their fragrance. Musicians were set up to one side under the banner that proclaimed welcome to her. Eva could feel the tears misting in her eyes and she smiled up at her father. This was all for her! There were cheers as she went to her place at the head table next to her Grandmother on her father’s arm. The wine flowed, the music played, and the evening swept on. She watched as the entertainments were put on and was thoroughly delighted by everything. But as the party wound down she suddenly froze. “Eva?” Silvano, who was dancing with her when this happened, saw the look in her eyes. “Something is wrong?” “It’s all fire and blood and pain, Uncle,” Eva whimpered as the impressions came. “Something very bad is going to happen.” She was shaking as fear hit her. “I shouldn’t have come here. It’s followed me.” Silvano got her back to her seat and handed her a glass of wine. He found Stefano and beckoned him over. He told him what Eva had said and left his brother to deal with what was happening. Stefano took her hands in his and made her look him in the eyes. Eva saw his eyes willing her to face what was occurring without fear. When she had calmed down, he nodded and let her go. She told him how she got these ‘feelings’ from time to time that usually meant something bad was going to happen. She had quit trying to make them go away, but it was still hard to experience them. “I want to run away afterwards,” she told him honestly. “That’s what Mother did, isn’t it?” He nodded and she knew he did not want to say anything more. He wanted her to think kindly of her mother. “You want to run to protect people,” he said simply. “Your mother ran because she could not see beyond the fear.” He held her to his chest and did not