Tudor Reunion Tour by Jamie Salisbury Read Free Book Online Page B

sure she rubs everything she can in my face.”
    “That’s what I’m asking you to do. I’m
not telling you, Zara. You’ll do what’s right, you always do. Amadeus and I
both agree you’re better off not being in the middle of it all.”
    “Well, don’t expect me to be quiet. I’ll
push back at her any time she’s in my face. I refuse to cow down to her. It
could get ugly.” I was half joking with him, but I was serious. Julia was not
going to think she had the upper hand. If I didn’t she might suspect something
was up.
    “ Noooo , I’d
never expect that of you, Zara.” He winked at me, a smirk on his face. “I’ll
make sure you’re kept apprised of everything that happens or that we discover.”
     
    ****
     
    Peter’s children, with their own
families in tow, began to arrive the following day. The two families blended
together well, which was incredible. Grace barely spoke to me, and Julia was
all over making sure she got to know Peter’s two daughters. Linda, Peter’s
eldest, and I had been friends long before he and Grace became an item. Julia
couldn’t stand to see the two of us chatting, talking about girl stuff and
kids.
    The afternoon before we were to leave
our holiday paradise, Grace and Julia came to visit me. Amadeus was off with
the men, so the two of them knew I would be alone with the baby. I was trying
to organize things to pack later. Amadeus wanted to be back for the New Years
Eve festivities in Edinburgh. He wanted to ring in the New Year Scottish style.
    “Zara,” I heard Grace beckon me. “Could
we have a word with you?”
    “Certainly.” I motioned for them to sit
out on the porch. I didn’t want the baby disturbed if this ended up getting
loud. I had no idea what to expect. “What’s up?”
    “Okay, I won’t beat around the bush,
Zara. I’m quite concerned about you. We all are. Julia and I’ve been talking
and we came up with an idea.”
    “What sort of idea?” I asked as I
cautiously watched the two of them.
    “I thought while Amadeus is out on this
tour, at least for part of it, Elizabeth could come stay with me while you go
and take some time for yourself at a spa or resort. I think you need it, Zara,
and this would be a perfect time.” Both women were eyeing me, Julia with that
smug look on her face.
    I chose my words carefully. I had half
expected something like this, just not here. “I appreciate your concern. Truly
I do. Amadeus and I are discussing some options for me during the time he is
away. So as much as I appreciate the offer, Grace, I’m going to have to
decline. At least right now.”
    “I’ve already made arrangements, Zara,” Grace
replied. I could tell she was hedging, stumbling over her words almost, almost
as though this spa deal wasn’t her idea at all.
    “Well, I’m sorry. You’ll have to cancel
them because once we leave here, we’re returning to Scotland. From there we’ll
return to Seattle for the rehearsals. By then I should know what I’ll be doing,
and if your spa idea sounds like something I want to do, I’ll let you know then,
Grace.”
    “You’re accompanying Amadeus to Seattle?”
Julia blurted out. By the look on her face, this was something that she hadn’t
prepared herself for. Good, chalk one up for team Zara.
    “Of course I am. Just as I plan for
Elizabeth and me to meet up with him at various times along the tour.”
    “You can’t just show up, Zara.”
    “Why not, Julia? I’m his wife, and it’s
going to be hard enough on him not to be around for some of the milestones in
Elizabeth’s life he may miss. So, yes, we’ll be meeting up with him from time
to time.”
    “Zara, this is foolishness. You need to
think about your daughter…” Grace began. I put up my hand to stop her.
    “I am thinking about my daughter and my
husband. Now if that’s all, ladies, I need to finish what I was working on. I’ll
join you later.”
    As soon as they were out of sight, I
texted Peter on my phone. Peter knew of