Chapter 8: Conflicting maps

Ashley’s POV

"So, are you and your sister, Ashley close?" Annabel asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. I paused, turning to look at her.

“The last time I saw her was at the wedding,” she continued, blissfully unaware that the person was asking about was much closer than she knew.

"We have our moments," I replied cautiously, trying to sound like the confident, outspoken Ashton I was supposed to be. "Siblings, you know. We fight, we make up."

Annabel nodded thoughtfully. "I know exactly what you mean. My siblings don't see eye to eye at all, as you saw at dinner. I'm glad Andreas married someone as charming as you."

A warm blush crept up my cheeks, even though the compliment wasn't for me. "Thank you," I replied, trying to sound casual “I'm glad I have a sister-in-law as charming as you.”

Annabel laughed, a bright, infectious sound that filled the quiet of the hallway. "Don't let Amarinth hear you say that," she whispered. "Andreas is the only one who doesn't give me a hard time, but he's not exactly Mr. Talkative."

Well, Amarinth had already made it clear last night that she couldn't stand Ashton’s guts and I was about to ask her more, to delve deeper into their complex family dynamics, but we had reached the garden, and our attention shifted to the scene before us.

Every member of the family was already outside, with Alfred and Margaret sitting under a large canopy, Sansa and Amarinth on either side of them, while other people, who I assumed were the staff by their uniforms hurried to and fro.

A man, impeccably dressed in a suit, stepped forward, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Good morning, everyone. It is an honor to coordinate this year's hunt. As you know, safety is paramount. The safe zones have been marked on the maps that will be distributed to the gentlemen shortly."

A murmur of anticipation rippled through the small crowd of people, townsfolk that were in attendance and seated under another canopy. The whole setup was ancient, like I was watching a scene out of a historical drama. I exchanged a glance with Annabel, who rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's such bullshit that women are not allowed to participate and that we have to stay behind and 'prepare' for the dinner when there's an entire staff to do that for us," she muttered under her breath.

That was when I realized what I'd missed. The men, besides Alfred, were nowhere to be found. As I scanned the clearing again, my gaze landed on Andreas. He stood beside his horse, his long legs clad in riding pants, his hands gently massaging the animal's neck. There was a softness to his expression that I hadn't seen the night before, a vulnerability that made him seem almost human. It seemed his softness was reserved for certain people then and from his attitude since he arrived, Ashton wasn't one of them.

Adam, too, was engrossed in preparing his horse, his movements sharp and decisive. And then there was Thomas, Amarinth's husband. Our eyes met, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Something was unsettling about the intensity of his gaze.

The steward's voice cut through my thoughts. "Ladies, please gather around the map stand and collect the maps for your husbands."

Annabel nudged me forward, an excited glint in her eye. As I approached the stand, I noticed the maps were arranged neatly, each with a name tag. I quickly scanned the maps, comparing them. There was a distinct difference between the maps for Thomas and Adam, and Andreas'. A detail, a slight variation in the outline of the landscape. I couldn't pinpoint it, but something was amiss.

Before I could examine them further, Amarinth and Sansa joined me at the stand. Amarinth gave me a pointed look, her lips curved into a smirk. Sansa, on the other hand, offered a shy smile. I ignored Amarinth and picked up Andreas's map.

Arriving at where he stood with his horse, I ignored the way my heart skipped as his eyes fell on me, shoving the map into his hands.

“Why, hello, my dear wife,” He announced, his voice sweet and fake. For someone who Annabel said was unsociable, he sure knew how to put up an act.

I rolled my eyes and leaned in to whisper to him, "There's something off about these maps. Yours in particular.”

He took the map, his eyes scanning it quickly. "I'll be fine, we enter these woods every year," he replied, his voice low.

"But what if I'm right? What if something happens?" I pressed, my voice trembling slightly.

Pausing, he scanned my face, his brows raised in surprise and then he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Then you'll be the happiest widow in the world, won't you? You did say those words to me on our wedding night."