“Hey, guys,” Danielle said, sheepishly. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Not at all,” Kale said. “Miss Victoria was just telling me about her horse Misty over here.” He pointed to the next stall.
“I was thinking about riding, but I’ve changed my mind,” Danielle said, again with the fake smile. “I’ll leave you to your conversation.”
CHAPTER 35
“What do you think that was about?” I asked Kale after Danielle had left.
“Probably trying to get more gossip,” Kale said.
“We are terrible at being careful,” I said, shaking my head and biting my lip. “She’s going to say she saw something. I know it.”
“All the more reason to come with me. Whatever connection you think you have with the Prince, the competition is going to get ugly. You know that.”
“I know,” I said, starting to sound like a broken record.
“You seem to know everything, but you’ve yet to make a decision,” Kale said, his stern face returning.
“I’m coming,” I said after a long pause.
He almost seemed surprised but didn’t say so. “Then I’ll come get you tonight. I’ll probably end up waking you, but be ready to go.”
“I’ll be ready,” I said. I took a few steps and stopped at Misty’s stall. “Can we take her?”
“No,” he said. “We won’t be traveling by horse and won’t be able to transport her. I’m sorry, but she’ll have to stay.”
“Would you like to help me saddle her?”
“Of course, m’lady,” Kale said, opening the gate with a loud creak, and strolling over to Misty’s stall.
I hadn’t planned on riding her now and wasn’t dressed for it, but was going to do it all the same. I could have gone back to my room to change and come back, but I had the urge to go now. If I waited, I might not come back.
If I hadn’t been wearing flats, I would have gone barefoot. I wedged a foot in the stirrup and kicked my other leg over, my skirt and petticoat fluttering with the movement and riding up on my thighs. I wasn’t even about to ask for a helmet.
I took the reins and looked down at Kale, who had a queer expression on his face. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said, a grin creeping into his expression.
Kale opened the gate and I led Misty out of the back door of the stable and into the open meadow. Once out in the sunlight and cool breeze, I kicked Misty into a gallop. It was so freeing to have the wind whipping through my hair. I took her all the way to the edge of the property, which extended for a good mile, and looped around with the same vigor with which we’d left.
By our third lap, I noticed someone standing by the fence, near the stables. From afar, I thought it was Kale watching me. But as Misty trotted closer, I realized it was Prince Byron, forearms resting on the fence, hands clasped, eyes fixed on me.
“Nice day for a ride,” he said.
I had Misty walk up and stop beside him. “The best,” I said.
“I recall you not riding with me on the first day we met because—what had you said—oh, that’s right, that it wouldn’t be proper due to what you were wearing.”
“And I still stand by that,” I said, smiling at his enthusiastic animation. “As you said, we had only just met.”
“And now?”
“Now we are better acquainted and such formalities are less… necessary.”
“I see,” the Prince said. “You can finally let your hair down.”
“As you can see, I am,” I said, running a few fingers through my windswept hair.
Prince Byron reached past the fence and touched my calf with the tops of his fingers, moving slowly down toward my ankle. When he reached it, he opened his hand and brushed his fingers back up toward the back of my knee. His eyes moved with his hand, drinking in my bare skin. Then his expression darkened.
“What’s this?” he asked and gently lifted the hem of my skirt and petticoat.
I looked down and saw he was fixated on the underside of my thigh; though the red welts had greatly faded, pink lines still crossed my skin.
“Oh, that’s nothing,” I said and readjusted the skirt, pulling it down as far as it would go.
“No, really.”
He tried pushing my hand away, but I commanded Misty to take a few more steps away from the fence, out of his reach. Instead of taking the hint and respecting my privacy, he effortlessly hopped the fence and tried to approach.
“I said it’s nothing,” I repeated. “Please, just leave it be.”
“Who did this to you?”
“I really should be going. I’m sorry,” I said and maneuvered the reins to lead Misty away; we trotted into the stable.
Kale was still there and helped me down from my horse. He took the reins and guided Misty into her stall.
“Good ride?” he asked.
Just then, Prince Byron came running around the corner.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—” He stopped running and talking when he saw Kale.
I hadn’t wanted to talk to him about this beforehand, but certainly not in front of Kale.
“Can we talk?” Prince Byron asked, glancing at Kale as he spoke.
“I really don’t want to talk about this,” I said. And I didn’t want to move away from Kale. I knew other girls had opened up more about their past lives, and I’d talked to him about life in the 24th Ward, but not about my punishments from Master Ramsey. I couldn’t talk to him about it, or anyone else.
“I’m only trying to help. I’m concerned.” Prince Byron’s eyes couldn’t stay off Kale. “Was it him? Is that why you’re afraid to leave with me right now?”
“What—no,” I said. “Kale’s been nothing but kind to me. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Kale was now looking at me, seemingly concerned, but didn’t speak up. As a servant, it wasn’t his place.
“I thought your name was Jimmy,” Prince Byron said, now addressing Kale directly.
Now I knew where his concern was coming from. I wasn’t thinking and had slipped up.
“Both, actually,” Kale said, without skipping a beat. “Kale’s my middle name. I told it to Miss Victoria and she seems to fancy calling me that over Jimmy. I mean no offense.”
“I see…” Prince Byron said. “Can you leave us? I’d like to talk with Victoria alone.”
Kale glanced at me before responding. “Of course, Your Majesty.” He exited Misty’s stall and was about to leave.
“That won’t be necessary,” I said, placing a hand on Kale’s shoulder. “You may finish your work. We’ll take this outside.”
Prince Byron was severely assessing the both of us, but I did my best to stay calm. All I had to do was make it until that night, and then I’d be gone.
“Very well,” Prince Byron said and joined me outside. “What was that in there? He’s the guy everyone’s been talking about.”
“Nothing was going on,” I said. “I had been riding and he was working in the stable. That’s all. You are cornering me to talk about private things. That is the tension you felt—and perhaps, still feel. I’ve tried to open up to you, but there are some things I’m not ready to talk about yet.”
“I know it’s hard and we’ve only known each other a short while,” the Prince said, his tone soft. He reached for my hand. “I don’t want to push you past what you’re comfortable with, but we don’t have much time. This isn’t your typical courting process. We need to take advantage of every moment and not hold back. Myself included.”
“I’m really trying,” I said. “Some skeletons are hard to unbury.”
“May I see?”
“Please stop asking,” I said. “Because if you do, I’ll end up showing you and I really don’t want to.”
Prince Byron sighed and looked down at my hand in his. “I trusted you enough to stay and deal with what the Queen has done. Please trust me in return.”
“Please be patient with me,” I said. “I know there isn’t much t
ime, but there is some. You can ask me almost anything, but this is something for which I need more time.”
“I’m a patient man, but our hourglass has only so much sand left and it’s draining steadily.” Prince Byron brushed my cheek with his thumb, looking me directly in the eyes. “I don’t want to lose you.”
I tried not to let my guilt show. He already had and it was through no fault of his own—it was this terrible situation we’d all been placed into. What else was I supposed to say to him?
Maybe I should just have given him what he wanted. If it was so easy, I would have done. Showing a man I cared about—a man for whom I was developing true feelings—what another man had done to me, rendered me far too vulnerable. And I didn’t yet know how to get past that feeling.
“It looks like we have company,” Prince Byron said with a groan.
I thought maybe Kale had come out from the stable, but when the Prince gestured to the far side of the garden, I saw Eleanor approaching.
Perfect. She’d make for a fine distraction.
“Don’t leave me alone with her,” he said, sounding worried.
I had to laugh at his plea. “Perhaps you need more time to get to know her better.”
“I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Victoria,” Eleanor called to me. “Piper said you were out here. You’re wanted inside.”
So, this was about me. “What is it?”
“Your family’s here.”
“My family?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember their names, but they’re looking for you,” Eleanor said, almost to us now.
“I’ll come with you,” the Prince said quietly to me.
“My Prince, is this a good time?” Eleanor asked.
“Looks like you’re being summoned as well,” I said with a chuckle and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek.
I was about to leave at a time when I thought I might not see him again, giving me the clarity to know how much I didn’t want to say goodbye. I felt we had that spark Piper said she was missing, and I didn’t want to look at this as winning a competition but simply winning his heart. What I’d just seen in his eyes made me believe he felt the same about me.
I couldn’t leave him with just a kiss on the cheek. I wanted him to know how I truly felt, even though this was ending without him knowing. Despite having Eleanor standing right there, waiting for me to leave, I kissed the Prince with the passion and possibility of never seeing him again.
CHAPTER 36
P rince Byron wasn’t happy about me leaving him alone with Eleanor, but she wasn’t about to let him get away now she’d sunk her needy claws into him.
Now, I was concerned with who I was about to find inside and could guess the reason for the unannounced visit; I could do nothing to help them.
I was greeted by one of the staff members as soon as I entered the palace; the Ramseys’ arrival was announced and I was led to a formal sitting room—really a waiting room—off the foyer.
I found Master and Lady Ramsey sitting on a couch, with refreshments set on the coffee table before them. Lady Ramsey was sitting back, sipping a cup of tea, while Master Ramsey leaned forward, arms on his knees, his hands in an outward steeple.
“There she is,” Master Ramsey said. His tone suggested anything other than happiness to see me.
And the feeling was mutual.
Lady Ramsey gave a weak smile, which I returned with the same wariness. Under better circumstances, I’d have been glad to see her.
“You may leave us with our daughter,” Master Ramsey said to the servant.
“No. I insist you stay,” I said, placing a hand on the young lady’s shoulder. Her terrified eyes wavered between the two conflicting demands, but she didn’t move.
“Back home, I would have you punished for your insolence,” Master Ramsey threatened.
“Good thing we’re not at your estate. Here, you are not permitted to lay a finger on her,” I said. My hands were shaking. My healing wounds tingled but I wasn’t about to back down.
“Indeed, we’re not,” Master Ramsey said. His eyes were ice.
“We’ve come to ask you about Mina,” Lady Ramsey said, trying to cut through the tension.
“What about Mina?” I asked, trying my best to sound confused and honestly not know why they were here. “So, you’re not here to check up on me?”
“We couldn’t care less about you,” Master Ramsey growled. “Mina has gone missing since shortly after the masquerade ball. We have it on good authority she came back here—to see you.”
“She did,” I said. There was no need to lie about it, especially since it could be verified by multiple people at the palace. “She stayed for the evening and then I sent her home.”
“Did you send her with an escort? Something that can be tracked and verified?” Master Ramsey questioned.
“Why did she come here in the first place?” Lady Ramsey asked. If I mentioned why she had come, then my story of sending her home would fall apart.
“I did not send her with an escort,” I said. “She made it here with no problems so I didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t make it home on her own. She’s a responsible girl.”
“A responsible girl wouldn’t simply run away,” Master Ramsey said. “And a responsible older sister wouldn’t send a 12-year-old across the Kingdom without a chaperone. You had one if you remember, and you’re five years older.”
“May I go now?” the servant asked.
“Yes,” Master Ramsey replied.
“No!” I insisted.
She tried to take a step back, but I clamped onto her arm to keep her beside me.
“Everyone, please calm down,” Lady Ramsey said. “Victoria, this is not an interrogation. We’re just worried for our little Mina.”
“She didn’t send her home!” Master Ramsey snapped at his wife. “She’s hiding her. I’m willing to bet Mina’s still here.” He turned back to me. “You have no right! She is our daughter—our responsibility!”
“Then you shouldn’t be driving her away!” I shot back.
“What did you say?”
I knew I was getting into dangerous water. “She’s not here,” I said, trying to sidestep what I’d just said.
“Then where is she?”
“I told you. I instructed her to go home.”
“But she never made it home,” Lady Ramsey said.
“That’s all I know,” I said.
The servant beside me squirmed, and I realized how tightly I was gripping her arm.
“You’re lying,” Master Ramsey said, his deep voice nearly a whisper now—a sinister breath of cold air.
“What seems to be the problem here?” Prince Byron entered from the foyer, his confident stride owning the room. He came to stand beside me. “Duke and Duchess Ramsey, I presume. It is a pleasure.”
“Your Highness,” Lady Ramsey said. She stood and curtsied.
Master Ramsey’s only genuflection was a curt nod. “We’re looking for our youngest daughter.”
The young servant weaseled out of my grip and sped away. I didn’t care now I had the Prince by my side—come to my aid.
I quickly rehashed what had already been said.
“So she’s not here,” Prince Byron said. “I’m sorry we could not be of more help.”
“I would like to see her room,” Master Ramsey said, his eyes still trained on me.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you,” Prince Byron said. He didn’t wait for the Ramseys to follow but started heading for the curved staircase.
I kept his pace with the Ramseys in tow. The Prince placed a hand on the small of my back to keep me close to him as we made our way upstairs. His touch still sent shivers through me.
“I hope this is okay,” he whispered into my ear as we continued down the hallway, passing the colorful rooms of my competition, with our prize at my side.
“With you here, it is,” I answered. I glanced back and discovered two guards behind the Ramseys.
Upon reaching my door, Prince Byron swung it inward and stood just outside, gesturing for the suspicious Master Ramsey to enter first. Lady Ramsey followed with a submissive thank you.
The Prince and I entered last and let the anxious parents explore at their discretion.
Lady Ramsey appeared to be perusing the room more than looking for something or someone. Master Ramsey, on the other hand, meticulously checked every door, drawer, and obstructed space; it was obvious he knew he wouldn’t find Mina there, but he was looking for any clue to cast light on her whereabouts.
The two guards were now stationed just inside the room, blocking the doorway.
“Are you satisfied?” Prince Byron asked.
“I won’t be satisfied until I’ve found my daughter,” Master Ramsey said, walking out of the washroom.
“This is a very lovely room, Victoria,” Lady Ramsey said.
“I’ll tell the Queen you thought so,” I said, politely.
Master Ramsey picked up my borrowed copy of Northanger Abbey, examined the leather-bound cover, and tossed it aside like trash.
“I understand your frustration,” the Prince said. “But Victoria has told you what she knows. We have graciously complied with your request to search her room. Unless you have a social agenda for staying, I believe it’s time for you both to leave.”
“I demand to see the Queen,” Master Ramsey said marching up to the Prince until they were nearly nose to nose.
“Your demand is noted, but no,” Prince Byron said. “Demands are not how you are granted access to the Queen. You may put in a request with the Executive Assistant to the Sovereign.”
“With the job we’ve been given by order of the Queen for the past eighteen years, this is how you’re going to treat me? We raised this girl you’re so fond of.”
“And I thank you for your service. But protocol remains.”
Master Ramsey leaned in closer and I almost couldn’t hear him. “Don’t think I don’t know it was you,” he said. “The mask didn’t fool me one bit. If it wasn’t for your guards to protect you…” Master Ramsey let the unfinished thought linger before snapping his fingers at Lady Ramsey. “Come, Beatrice.”
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