One Look

Chapter 24

At dinner that evening I was sat by Amelia and my ladies in waiting. The conversation streamed across the table, endless chatter about Nathaniel having to choose four ladies, one of which will become his wife. Thank god no-one seemed to remember my awful speech.

I looked over at Oscar who was seated at the other side of the dining hall. We hadn't spoken since our last encounter and in all honesty, I didn't really want to speak with him.

"Who do you think the Prince will choose?" Amelia asked me and I shook my head.

"I don't know". I glanced over at Nathaniel who was seated beside both Ruth Morgan and Ethel Lee. Ruth kept twisting her dark hair into ringlets around her finger and laughing at everything Nathaniel said. She was the daughter of one of the most prestigious earls in the south, Francis Morgan.

"I never seen Ruth so keen on getting your Princes attention", Amelia commented, and I glared at her. Why did she keep insisting he was my prince? I glanced over at Nathaniel again and seen him whispering in Ruth's ear. Whatever he said caused her cheeks to redden and a playful smile to appear on her face. I looked away quickly and ate another bite of my food.

"I guess we will see a lot more girls scramble for his attention now that he announced he will be choosing four to live at the palace with him".

"They are not all as privileged as you", she said quietly. I rolled my eyes at her as I tried to fight back my grin. "Don't think I haven't noticed how you are always here, and never appear to arrive or leave in a carriage".

"I wasn't keeping it a secret, I just don't want everyone to know", I whispered. She gave me a knowing smile and went back to being more interested in her food.

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I entered the stables to find Charles already waiting for me. He gave me a comforting smile when I entered but my face did not change from the frown that it seemed to acquire whenever Charles was around.

"I'm really happy you agreed to meet me", he said softly.

"I just about escaped my ladies in waiting so this better be worth it".

Charles winced at my sharp words. The awkward silence filled the air as the stable hand finished getting our horses ready.

"You don't mind riding down to the lake?" Charles asked when we had climbed onto our horses. I scratched my pony, Sunrise behind her ear.

"It's fine", I shrugged. Before he could try to start another conversation, I kicked my horse into a trot. I was in no rush to get to my destination, but I also didn't want to listen to Charles trying to force a conversation with me.

The journey took longer than it should have and instead of climbing to the top of the hill like I had the time of the picnic, we brought the ponies to rest beside a shaded tree. I slid of Sunrise and secured her in place as I sat down at the edge of the lake. I could feel the dampness already seeping in through my many layers, but I ignored it as I watched Charles pace along the edge of the lake. He was obviously struggling with how to bring up the topic of conning me.

"Well are you going to explain yourself or are you just going to keep pacing the ground hoping the lake will just suddenly swallow you whole?"

"I just don't know where to begin", he sighed and ran his hand through his light brown hair.

"How about from the beginning", I laughed, but the there was no humour in my voice. He sank into the damp grown beside me and even though I could see him shudder he made no comment on the dampness.

"Well I suppose I'll start with the night of the ball. The opening ball. The one you arrived in that stunning blue gown and I just couldn't keep my eyes off you. You are honestly the most beautiful woman I have ever met.