Tudor Reunion Tour by Jamie Salisbury Read Free Book Online

Peter’s
children began to arrive the day after Christmas, but a nice family dinner.
Gift exchanging was being put off a day as well, except for the children of
course. Damien and Anne’s children. Can’t fool kids as to when Santa comes to
make his annual visit.
    I picked at my meal; my appetite had
been lost the evening before, and I felt like the odd person out. The
conversation around the table was low key, focusing on Peter and how his family
had celebrated Christmas in years past. As I picked up the crystal wine goblet
in front of me to take a sip, I noted Julia staring at me from across the
table. She had a smug look on her face. I locked eyes with her momentarily,
staring her down. If she thought she could intimidate me, she had another think
coming. I would not back down to her or anyone else.
    During a lull in the conversation,
however, she had to stick one in. Even though Grace and Amadeus had assured me
that the tour and any conversation surrounding it would be off limits during
this dinner, Julia just had to defy the norm and try to rile me up.
    “So, Zara, have you decided what you’re
going to do with all the free time you’ll have with Amadeus in rehearsals and
on the road touring?”
    Slowly I picked up my wine glass and
swirled the dark red liquid, pacing myself before I spoke. I refused to play
her game or be drawn into her web. “Julia, you really don’t need to concern
yourself with how I occupy my time. Elizabeth and I will be just fine. Why, she
should be walking before too much longer, then we’ll have her first birthday,
so she’ll have me hopping.”
    “Then you’re staying in Scotland?”
    I took a sip and placed my glass back
down on the table, ignoring her.
    “Zara, Julia asked you a question,”
Grace responded. “Are you planning to stay in Scotland while Amadeus is touring?”
    “Amadeus and I haven’t decided, and
whatever the decision is, it will be between the two of us and what we think is
best for our family. It does not concern you, Julia.”
    “Zara…” I heard Amadeus beside me.
    “What? I’m sorry, but I thought this was
to be a civil dinner and any talk of this farce of a tour was off limits for at
least a little while. But no, Queen Julia can do whatever she wants. Well,
sorry, I would like to enjoy my Christmas Eve in peace. It’s Elizabeth’s first
Christmas, and I refuse to let this bitch ruin it for me.” I stood up, threw my
napkin down on the table and turned to leave. I noted both Peter and Grace
watching my actions. Grace looked away when our eyes met…
    I went to the bedroom where Elizabeth
lay sleeping. Quietly, I picked her bag up, then reached down and scooped her
up in my arms. Turning around to leave, I saw Amadeus’s lanky figure looming in
the doorway. “Where are you going?”
    “I’m taking Elizabeth and going back to
our cottage. Like I said in there, I refuse to let her ruin Christmas for me.
You can come or you can stay, but I refuse to stay.”
    “But they haven’t done the Christmas
stuff with the kids yet, and I wanted Elizabeth included.”
    “Well, as you can see, she’s sound
asleep, so it won’t make much difference. I’m sorry, A—if you want to stay,
fine, but please don’t make me stay and be miserable.”
    “I won’t make you stay, but I’m going to
at least stay through the kids putting the milk and cookies out for Santa.” He
stepped so close I could feel his breath on my face. “I love you. Don’t ever
doubt that.”
    “It never crossed my mind, and I love
you, too. I’ll see you in a little while.” We shared a brief kiss before I
walked back to the main salon. Everyone was gathering and I made my way across
the room and out the door as quick as I could, saying nothing. Damn family
holidays!
    By the time I walked down the path and
reached our cottage, Elizabeth had begun to stir. Silently I prayed she’d fall
back into a deeper sleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for her, and I wanted her
to enjoy it to