The carriage wheels crunched softly over the fallen leaves and dry twigs as it crested the hill. The air here was fresher than in the estate below, carrying the clean scent of grass and the nearby lake.
The driver pulled the reins. "We have arrived, Your Grace."
Marissa took a deep breath. She smoothed the skirt of her royal purple dress, the silk feeling cool under her palms. She adjusted the necklace at her throat, making sure it sat perfectly. Her heart was beating a fast, happy rhythm against her ribs.
She opened the carriage door before the footman could reach it. She stepped down, her shoes sinking slightly into the soft grass.
The old oak tree stood in the distance, its massive branches spreading out like a protective canopy against the blue sky. It was majestic. The sun filtered through the leaves, creating a dappled pattern on the ground.
Marissa walked toward it, a bright, expectant smile on her face.
