Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You are not hearing a word I am saying, are you?”
I smirked, shaking my head before offering her my arm. But she just kept frowning at me. I sighed, placing her hand on my arm anyway. “Do not worry, I shall not do anything inappropriate with her…I merely wish to test her convictions a little. And see her apologize.”
“Why, so you can reject it?”
I did not answer, leading her forward.
“So childish…you are lucky you are handsome.”
“And royal…don’t forget that.” Because that always changed everything, though as we walked, I could not help but fight the urge to turn back. To catch a glimpse of this Hathor once more. I felt myself anxiously awaiting our next meeting and what expression or retort she would make then.
Present
She fainted.
From the moment my aunt told me I was to attend this week’s festivities at the Du Bell family castle, I wondered hundreds of times what Lady Hathor would do when we were finally introduced…only for her to faint. No, not even truly faint. I watched her eyes stare back at me in panic and dismay, unbelieving that I, of all people, was whom she must have been expecting. She clearly forced herself to faint as a way to save face and run from me. I had not expected that. Not with such a large gathering present.
I would have laughed had I not been in public.
Either way, it did not matter, I would wait for her to return, and see how she would resolve this matter, for as I told her, I’d be here all week and she would not be able to avoid me.
“How are you, Your Highness? Still dazzling the courtiers of England?”
I glanced away from the doors, where they had escorted Lady Hathor out, to my old friend in all things ungentlemanly, Lord Lukas Howard, the Earl of Covington, with his mother and two younger sisters—one a doe-eyed, petite dark-haired girl and the other a rather white-faced young woman. Just as Lady Hathor could not avoid me, I could not avoid the mamas.
“I am well, Lukas, and you? Still boxing in places you ought not?” I grinned.
He adjusted his cuffs. “I have not a clue of what you speak.”
“Is that so?” I laughed and so did he as he took my hand to shake. Before he could reply, there was a gentle cough from the ladies waiting behind him. He gave me a look and I merely nodded for him to get it over with.
“Your Highness, please allow me to introduce my mother, Lady Edith Howard, the Dowager Countess of Covington, and my younger sisters, Lady Mary and Lady Emma,” he said, stepping to the side so I could see them more clearly.
“Your Highness, we are so pleased you could join us here,” the dowager said as she, along with her daughters, curtsied…very low.
“Thank you, I am looking forward to the week,” I replied as they all rose.
“When Lukas told us he had become good friends with you during his grand tour, we did not believe it.” Lady Mary spoke up first, side by side with her mother. “He rarely speaks of his time in Europe, but he said you both had the greatest fun visiting ancient ruins.”
I glanced to Lukas, who sheepishly drank his wine, for the places we had gone were not ancient at all. “Yes, they were magnificent. Your brother was by far the most knowledgeable about all the sites we visited.”
He coughed into his cup and shot me a look, but I ignored it as I smiled at his sister.
“How jealous I am. You gentlemen are able to experience such wonders. I hope to travel one day.”
“I am sure it shall be possible, though it is not always a great comfort, my lady.”
“Has the queen arrived along with you?” her mother questioned.
“Her Majesty has been delayed, but sent me ahead first. I do believe she shall arrive later in the week,” I answered. The queen would not dare spend a whole week amongst society; she preferred the comforts of her palace, and would come only to make sure I had done what she demanded.
“Well, then I must take it upon myself to make sure you are—”
“Dowager Lady Covington, I was not aware your family was so well-connected.” Another older woman appeared out of thin air, her daughter alongside her, and I saw many other mamas slowly pressing forward with their daughters, like pack wolves ready to devour.
And none of them were Lady Hathor.
I looked to Lukas, all but demanding he find a way to save me from this. Understanding, he nodded and looked beyond to another darker-skinned man speaking to a group of gentlemen.
“Damon, did you not say there were cards to be played? I wish to win back my hand from last time,” Lukas called out to him.