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)
What kind of torment was this, and why the hell was I the only one suffering?
11
Hathor
I had been too shocked and angered by his insults to offer any sort of rebuttal yesterday, so all the words I had wanted to say swirled in my mind throughout the night. I tossed and turned, kicking my feet out in frustration. How dare he slight me so? Not just him, but Lord Covington as well. All that conversation we shared was nothing but a game he played on women? It made me wonder if what he said about Prince Wilhelm was true. Was that part of the ruse? Making ladies believe they are looking after our best interests?
Were we ladies nothing but fools to them? They shared lines amongst themselves to deploy on women without care, respect, or true emotion. And while I loathed Lord Covington for using me in such a manner, I despised that damned prince more. It felt as though he were laughing at me, mocking me for being foolish and not knowing men could be so dishonest. But in what world was it justified for those who were undeservingly fooled to be taunted? To make it worse, he did not even apologize. Instead, he insulted me on what was meant to be a jubilant evening, then proceeded to just drink and glare at me from afar. I could not even converse with the gentlemen before me, because I could feel his eyes upon me all evening, including at dinner.
When it was over, I was so incensed that all I wished to do was march to his door and give him a piece of my mind. Several pieces, in fact—the rude and pompous brute! But alas, I could not. However, I did learn from Bernice that he’d called for his horse to be prepared for him in the morning. So I resolved myself to wait.
I barely slept, nor did I care what I wore that morning. I had one singular mission, and that was to make him take back his words immediately. I marched to the stables, pulling on my gloves hard. I’d show him who was a foolish little lamb!
“My lady, you are walking so fast,” Bernice called from behind me.
“Yes, for murder must happen quickly!” I huffed, mostly to myself. When I reached the stables, I saw my horse being tended to by the stableman.
“Where is he?” I questioned immediately upon arriving.
“Who, my lady—”
“Prince Wilhelm, has he not come down for a ride yet?”
“He’s already gone ahead, my lady. He did not seem to wish to wait for anyone,” he replied, as he helped me onto my horse.
“I care not for what he wishes. Which direction did he go?” I asked, taking the reins.
“My lady, maybe it is best to speak to him later? When you have calmed down perhaps?” Bernice asked as the stableman brought out a horse for her as well.
“Oh, believe me, I have never been calmer,” I said, looking back to the man assisting her. “Which direction?”
“Southeast, my lady, he was going toward the pavilion.”
I did not need to hear anything else before I kicked off.
“My lady, wait for me!” Bernice called out, but I did not, pressing Sofonisba to go as fast as she could down the path. The trees became nothing but a blur of green before me, and the wind slapped across my face, whipping my hair. Just as I expected, I had to ride deep into the woods of our estate in order to catch up with him. When I did, I noticed his horse under a tree, grazing. Tossed beside it was his coat and in his hands…was a sketchbook. He was so lost in his work that he did not notice when I hopped down from my horse and came over to him. Only when I accidently blocked out the sunlight did he look up. His eyes widened, and he quickly shut his book.
“What on earth are you doing here?” he snapped, frowning at me.
“What were you drawing?”
“What I was doing is no concern of yours. So, you may continue on your way, Lady Hathor,” he replied, rising to his feet.
“Unfortunately, my way takes me directly to you this morning, and for good reason. I believe I deserve an apology from you.”
“I have none to offer.”
I clamped my teeth together and gripped Sofonisba’s reins tighter, not wishing to yell like a madwoman. He packed up his things and walked past me toward his horse, not giving me another glance. A familiar anger entered me. Before I could stop myself, I picked up an acorn from the ground and threw it at the back of his head. He froze, and so did I. Slowly, he turned back to me, eyes wide.
“Did you just throw an acorn at me?”
I hid my hands behind my back and shook my head. “Of course not! Why would a lady do such a thing to you of all people, Your Highness? It must have been a squirrel.”