Chapter 238: Envy (2)
"Somehow, I feel like this is your doing, grandmother. I just know it is," Annalise said, looking around to check if her grandmother was near.
There weren’t many who believed in her grandmother’s talents, but she did.
"If you really are watching over me, you mustn’t tell father about what you saw. He will kill Rafael and then tie a rope to our hands so he can keep an eye on me," Annalise said, already feeling the rope tight around her hand.
Annalise touched her lips where there was still the lingering feeling of Rafael kissing her. The man was skilled in many ways. The women in town were missing out, but this was a secret she would keep for now so she didn’t have to deal with more women trying to court him to check if he was a good kisser.
Annalise smiled as a couple walked by her. She wondered if they stared at her because they were trying to place who she was or if her appearance needed to be fixed. She could only imagine what was going through their minds to see Rafael and her alone when the ball was just starting.
Annalise did not want to go back inside yet so she wouldn’t have to see Rafael and Siena together so soon. She also did not want it to look like he had disappeared to get her.
She knew not to stay in the garden where the knights were not present and there were spots with not enough light and places for someone to hide while they stalked her. Annalise walked back up the steps that would lead her into the ballroom. She would stay outside for a moment and then go in to look for Beatrice or stand in a corner by herself.
Annalise hoped to not be approached by curious young men or men old enough to be her father looking for a young wife. Rafael Callahan was the only man she could be bothered by at this point. Anyone else would test her patience.
Annalise stopped when she reached the top of the stairs and found Siena looking out at the garden. She thought of turning around to find somewhere else to hide for most of the ball, but then she didn’t feel like running.