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)
“Quickly, move. Now,” my mother said, forcing me to go.
I glanced over at Wilhelm and saw the water that dripped from his face and his brown hair, his clothes so drenched that they stuck to his body. I wanted to say thank you; only a few minutes into our ride, I was sure I would not have been able to return in that storm on my own. But there were so many people now surrounding us, and I, for some reason, could not find my voice. It was odd, for I always found my voice.
“We need to get you warmed up,” my mother said as she hugged me and led me to the stairs. “And you must tell me everything that occurred.”
“Nothing occurred beyond what he said.” Other than the fact that Bernice had not been with us.
“And the reason you are wearing his coat and holding his bag?”
I glanced at my shoulders and then remembered what was in this bag…his art. Which would ruin me, should anyone see. “I must return it—”
“Later, my dear…later. I’m sure this has caused a big enough scene for the morning.”
My eyes widened as I looked at her. “How big a scene do you suppose it shall be?”
She did not answer, which only made me wary. How? How had things gotten here? Why had I even gone out this morning?
I wished to curse my own foolishness, but there was no time for that. The queen was here. By the time we entered my room, Ingrid was already there with several other maids, pulling out dresses and seeing to getting me bathed, dry, and dressed for a proper audience.
“Drink this. It shall warm you up,” my mother said, as she gave me a bowl of soup. I took it, standing by the fire as I drank. “And where is Bernice? Why did she not return with you?”
I did not answer. Ingrid did.
“She just returned to the stables now, your ladyship. Apparently, she followed Lady Hathor but lost sight of her and went in the wrong direction. Then the storm came.”
“Why were you going so fast your chaperone lost sight of you?”
I licked my lips. “I did not notice…”
“Hathor!”
I jumped at her groan.
“Forgive me, Mama, but I promise nothing occurred that ought not to have. We spoke, we waited for the rain to end, and we returned.”
She crossed her arms and shook her head at me. “Very well, but should anyone ask, insist Bernice was keeping watch. Ingrid, Bernice must say the same. The queen has already questioned Prince Wilhelm and he laid cover, so I believe the matter to be finished. Even still, I wish there to be no gossip. Warn the stablemen.”
“Yes, your ladyship.” Ingrid nodded, taking the bowl from my hands and moving to make way for my mother to stand before me.
“Hathor, tell me honestly: Do you wish to marry Prince Wilhelm?”
I froze, somehow shocked by the question. Marry him? No, of course not, I thought, but for some strange reason, our time at the pavilion came to mind. Talking to him like that, it was bizarre…no, I was bizarre. One moment, my body felt very hot, and the next I felt like I was struggling to breathe as he leaned closer to me. Maybe it was the smell of him that distorted my senses…but he did not smell bad. On the contrary, he smelled rather nice. And though he teased me, he often spoke kindly, too. I found myself looking at his lips a lot. But that was not liking someone. I did not like him. We were merely forced to make conversation due to the weather. Yes, that was it. And the weather was gloomy, therefore our conversation was a bit forlorn—but I did not feel sad after it. I actually felt…a bit better. But why? He had not solved anything.
“Hathor…Hathor!”
“Hmm?” My eyes snapped back to her. “Yes, Mama?”
“My girl, where is your mind? Or am I supposed to take your silence as an answer? Do you wish to marry Prince Wilhelm?”
I paused a moment, gathering my wits. “No, Mama, of course not.”
“Hathor, that did not sound very certain. Have you come to like him?”
“Of course not! I told you before, he is not truly a gentleman. I mean, he was a gentleman to me, at no point was he improper, I—I— He loathes marriage, and his family is…well. I could not marry into such a family.”
“You spoke of his family?”
“Yes—but only casually. Nothing of consequence,” I lied. She eyed me with a heavy frown, like she knew I was lying. “Mama, all we do is argue when we are near each other.”
“If you say so, then act so, Hathor. Do not be seen alone in his company again. It will cause misunderstandings such as today. And we cannot have misunderstandings, especially not with the queen now here.”