THE OCEAN CROWN

ache that she could now manage without wincing. Ruth proved to be a patient teacher, guiding Ariel through the basics of human li

and, more importantly, the noble families in attendance. He returned each evening with reports

Sebastian explained over dinner one evening. "There's to be a grand ball

piqued. According to her mother's instruc

ngdom's most eligible bachelor. Every noble family with a daughter of m

her's advice that true love, not just noble b

people speak well of him. Unlike his father, he takes an interest in the common folk. Sto

stian said, exchanging a m

uth added pragmatically. "The royal family is well guarded, esp

y a knock at the door. Ruth frowne

s hour?" she wondered alo

uld be carried in Oceania. Ariel held her breath as Ruth opened the

ich and resonant. "I apologize for the late call, but I

d, her tone polite but rese

ng forward without waiting for an invita

esence seemed to fill the small cottage, his expensive clothing and

n fixing on Ariel with sudden, intense interest. She felt oddly exposed und

d unnecessarily. "I don't be

uests, Sebastian and his sister Ariel. They were shipwrec

matic." He stepped forward, extending a hand to

it to his lips in a gesture she recognized from Ruth's le

ss Ariel. Tru

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Blackwood," she re

t longer than necessary before releasing it. "And what brings you to

mere Festival. My sister has been unwell since the accident some mem

Ariel with renewed interest. "How fascin

ced response. "Very little of my past, I'm

I find that rather poetic." He turned to Ruth. "Actually, Widow Marlo

I've told you before, Mr. Blac

into his coat and produced an envelope. "I've increased my off

s cottage with his own hands. Our daughter was born

pe on the table anyway. "Consider it, at least. My Tidemere Bay development will transform this coastline. You co

. Ruth had been nothing but kind to them; she

position clear," Ariel said, sur

speak as though you understand our local affairs, Mis

ely. "My sister has always had a strong sen

demere. More visitors, more commerce." He gestured toward the window. "This stretch of coastline has the potential to

eplied, thinking of the diverse marine life she knew lived in these w

ve! Most young ladies I encounter are only interested in discussing the latest fashions or court gossi

nd here," she ans

widened. "Where did you say

interjected. "And as her

new experiences to stimulate her recovery." He turned to her directly. "I'm hosting a small gathering at my estate tomorrow aftern

most imperceptible nod. This could be their first opp

d of you," she

e." He reached into his pocket and produced a small card. "My carriage will come for you at midday. The gather

rd with obvious reluctance. "We

ring more of Miss Ariel's perspectives on progress versus preservation. It

ly. "Until tomorrow, I hope

a concerned expression. "Be careful of that one. Benjamin Blackwood has a reputation for co

rth?" Sebastian a

d. Benjamin has expanded those holdings aggressively, buying up coastal properties and developing the

served, still unsettled by t

for his development. He's been trying to buy it for over a year." She picked up the

y specifically?"

ffs, you can see the entire bay. Benjamin wants to build what he calls the 'crown

th of moonlight on water, the curve of the bay, the distant lights of Tidemere.

d his gathering

ur social skills before attempting to meet the prince. And Benjami

the talk of the kingdom. There's a good chance some of the

ed. "But I have nothing suitab

y daughter left behind some lovely gowns from her days at court. She was a

prehension. Tomorrow would be her first real test in human society a gathering of the very people she needed t

the chest, "our mission. We're here to find you a noble h

ondering about the coastline Benjamin so eagerly wished to transform. What would such development mean for t

to find out and perhaps make her first connections to th