The Promise (Darkest Lies Trilogy Book 2) by Bethany-Kris (fiction book recommendations .txt) 📕

Until now.

She was learning.

“Thank you,” Karine replied, blushing into the sugar Claire handed over for her to add to the coffee in front of her.

Masha brought over a plate of scrambled eggs with mushroom and spinach, sliding it in front of Karine as she smiled and said, “Just how you like it.”

“The way you make them,” Karine corrected the woman. “I just like the way you make them, Masha.”

For a split second, the two women couldn’t break their stare. Claire remained silent across the table, not drawing an eye to her, but Karine felt her curious stare all the same.

“I know,” Masha eventually said, her voice still soft. “Just the same, Karine. Eat up.”

As fast as Masha was to leave the table, Karine didn’t have time to consider the exchange for long before Roman’s mother said, “Yes, eat—you’ll need the energy.”

Well, that had all of her attention.

“Why?”

Claire winked, and pointed a manicured nail Karine’s way. “I was thinking we could do something together today. I spoke to Roman about it, and he agreed it might be a good idea. Maybe we could go to the local farmer’s market in the village.”

Karine couldn’t believe what she had heard.

Back in Chicago, her father would never have suggested something like that—so public. He never encouraged her interest in the world outside of the one he curated for her, and a part of her maybe understood why. Not that she liked it. Someone else had always shopped for her, or he had personal shoppers visit the mansion so Karine could choose what she wanted on the rare event she was allowed to for a special occasion.

As curious and hopeful as she felt, the buzz brought on by Claire’s own excitement at having a day away from the lodge, Karine was still hesitant.

“I’ve never been to a farmer’s market before,” she admitted.

“Oh, you’ll love it,” Claire said with a wave of her hand before sipping on her coffee. Setting it back down to the table, she added, “You’ll find something different at every vendor’s table. Lots of handmade treasures—art, certainly. Lots of lovely things to sample and buy, and interesting people to talk to. But only if you want. We could make a day of it, if you’re interested, of course.”

Was she?

Too much.

Karine bit down on her lip, another problem poking at the back of her mind. “Masha doesn’t enjoy places like that.”

Masha had returned to the stove, cooking more eggs and still had her back turned to them. Not that her lack of attention mattered. She didn’t need to see her expression for Karine to sense she didn’t approve.

“It’ll just be the two of us for today,” Claire said. “And a bull. Maybe Masha can take the morning off, I’m sure she could use some time to herself.”

“I don’t need any time to myself,” Masha protested.

Not once turning away from the stove.

So she was listening.

Karine’s heart raced.

This was a small thing, sure. Just a short trip for the day with Claire—it really wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme. Except to Karine, it would be a brand new experience. A taste of freedom. A look into what her future might be like.

She hadn’t ever known that feeling, never mind that kind of life, with the constant disapproving shadow of her father looming over her. A cloud that was now out of reach. She couldn’t help that Masha was uncomfortable.

It was something else Karine learned.

Growth hurt.

“I love it—let’s do it,” Karine said suddenly.

Masha did turn away from the stove, then, her cheeks ruddy with frustration. They were never separated, especially not when Karine went out anywhere. It was clear her caretaker didn’t trust her, even though she was slowly starting to do that for herself.

Claire caught her looking in Masha’s direction.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine, Karine. I’ll be right there with you, if you need anything. No matter what.”

Karine wet her lips. “Or who?”

Because that was a possibility, too. With Karine, the who was sometimes more concerning than the what.

That made Claire smile.

Just a bit.

“Or who,” the woman agreed. “And like I said, Roman did think you’d really enjoy it.”

Well ...

“I already said yes, but if Roman thinks I should, then I really can’t say no,” Karine said. “When are we leaving?”

• • •

Despite Claire stating a bull would go with them to the market, he drove in his own vehicle, but still followed their every movement once they arrived. Karine was starkly aware of his presence close by, even though he wasn’t always visible to them. It made her feel safer when she realized how many people were there.

Thrilled at the sight of the primitive, homemade sign for the farmer’s market, Karine ignored the unease that snaked inside her belly. The village was rural with a small population, and it seemed like the whole community had set up stalls to sell one thing or another.

Claire had been right.

There was ... everything.

Crafts, homemade food and baked goods. Handcrafted clothes and accessories, jewelry, old books, trinkets and more. Every vendor they passed had something new, and unique, to look at.

Shiny.

Pretty.

Old.

Or interesting.

Karine was overwhelmed by it all, and if it hadn’t been for Claire who didn’t leave her side every time she became distracted by yet another thing, she might have gotten lost in the maze of tables and tents. It was harder than she expected to contain her excitement and the nervousness that constantly bubbled through her between the things, the people, and everything else.

Each time she felt claustrophobic, she turned to Claire who gave her a reassuring smile. At the very least, it reminded her that she wasn’t alone.

They slowly made their way around the stalls, even though they took care not to speak to anyone unless absolutely necessary. The idea of conversations with strangers was enough to make Karine want to run the trip back to the lodge. Claire was as careful as Roman would have wanted her to be—never inviting questions from