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‘I thought she’d come to the capital for the wedding.’ Benedikt glanced her way. ‘You said she was unwell and so I didn’t expect someone so spry.’
Annalena hesitated, about to prevaricate. But they’d agreed to be truthful with each other and there’d be other times when Oma’s incapacity would become obvious.
‘Not all disability is visible.’ She turned to look at the windscreen, trying to work out where they were, but the forest wasn’t familiar.
‘Oma is strong in many ways but the trauma of my parents’ death took a toll. She refused to enter the rest of Prinzenberg again, but when I was little I travelled with her regularly all through Edelforst. Then, gradually, I realised she wasn’t travelling as far as before. Her physical boundaries have narrowed, even though her interests and her mind haven’t. Nowadays she barely goes beyond our valley. People come to her instead.’
Warmth closed around her fisted hand. Warmth from Benedikt’s long fingers, gently squeezing. ‘Agoraphobia?’
Annalena nodded. ‘I know she wanted to be at my wedding.’ She’d wanted it too.
‘I’m sorry she couldn’t be. It was tough for you not having family there.’ He lifted his hand to the wheel as they took a bend and Annalena was surprised how much she missed his touch. ‘We’ll just have to visit her often.’
Annalena’s head swung around. In the dim light he looked serious, and he’d saidwenotyou. ‘You’d do that?’
‘She’s important to you and you to her. Why would I get in the way of that? My father was deplorable but other members of my family saved me from the worst of him. And from myself. If you have good people in your life you need to cherish them.’
That surprised her. Talk of cherishing seemed at odds with the tough negotiator who’d put their wishes behind the country’s future. He seemed genuinely taken with her grandmother but to decide they should both visit her, as if he wanted to build a relationship with the old lady, was something she’d never considered.
Because you’ve spent so long thinking of him as your enemy. You know there’s more to him than that.
Then there was his candour about his family. How had they saved him and from what? Did he mean his mother? But why not say so? Annalena was ashamed she had no idea what other family he had. None were at the wedding.
She was about to ask when Benedikt said, ‘We’re here.’
The car swung out of the forest, the road curving up to a wide-eaved chalet overlooking a meadow. Lights shone at the windows and along a deep balcony with a carved wooden balustrade where scarlet flowers spilled. High beyond the chalet sat the dark bulk of a mountain.
Annalena blinked. If Benedikt had said they were flying to New York or a private Caribbean island she wouldn’t have been surprised. A private mountain chalet, for this was no bustling resort hotel, was the last place she’d have imagined him taking her.
That was reinforced when they neared the building and she saw part of the floodlit white stucco decorated with a large painting. Such paintings were a local tradition. This one represented the Almabtrieb, the autumn procession down the mountains as dairy herds, wearing bells and flowers, left their Alpine pastures for the valley. It was charming but a far cry from the glitz and elegant sophistication she’d thought he’d favour.
But how well do you know him?
Last night she’d begun to believe she knew Benedikt in ways no one else did. Nonsense, of course. He must have had lots of lovers. Hadn’t she warned herself not to bring emotion into a purely physical connection?
‘We can be private here. The security team will be in accommodation on the edge of the clearing.’ He switched off the engine and she felt his eyes on her. ‘You like it?’
Annalena turned. The chalet lights illuminated his strong, familiar features. But his expression wasn’t familiar. He looked expectant and concerned, as if unsure of her reaction.
No. As if itmatteredwhat she thought.
The thought snatched the air from her lungs. Was this an olive branch? Like visiting Oma straight after their wedding?
He looked like a man who wanted to please her.
‘Annalena?’
She moistened her dry mouth and was unprepared for the shaft of searing fire that shot through her as his frowning eyes narrowed on the movement, lingering on her lips before lifting to meet hers.
‘It’s wonderful. In fact…’
‘In fact?’
Did he lean closer? She swallowed, finding it hard to speak because she wanted to move closer and kiss him. Abruptly she sat back.
‘It’s the sort of place I’d have chosen.’ Belatedly she tugged her gaze free and looked over the dark meadow, fringing forest and outline of craggy mountains. ‘It’s so peaceful.’
‘I’m glad.’ His hand captured hers and she felt that deep unfurling sensation, as if vital parts of her body softened and melted. ‘I thought you’d had enough of cities and schedules for a while.’