One Look

Chapter 26

I collapsed into bed that night, going through all the girls Nathaniel had spent time alone with today. I had been surprised that I had not been any of the five he had chosen. I now knew the girls that Nathaniel had no interest in choosing were Amelia, Ethel, Clementine, Eleanor and Bethany. The only conclusion I had come up with as to why I had not been on the lower end of Nathaniel's list was that I was completely off it.

Well, thank god, I wasn't to be spending time with Nathaniel on one of his so-called 'special meetings'. We spent enough time together, without having people watching and thinking we were romantically involved.

 

I fell asleep that night with a foreign feeling in my chest.

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The next morning, I ate breakfast with my ladies in waiting around our little round table, any foreign feeling that had hit me last night had not returned when I had awakened.

"I miss Jane", I sighed. I brought a slice of bread to my mouth but the thought of my younger cousin having to look after her ill mother and deal with her horrendous father made me lose my appetite. I threw the bread onto the table and instead brought my attention to sipping my tea, which proved successful.

"She was always so sweet, I am sure she is glad to spend some time with her mother", Margaretta replied. She was perched on a chair opposite me, her back completely straight as she daintily bit into a scone.

"I think we best dress you in one of your finest day gowns today, in the hope that prince Nathaniel will choose you as his date". Elaine was quick to change the subject away from my cousin. It was clear from these small conversations we had that she was not very fond of her.

I glanced at Elaine and forced myself not to make some bitter comment. I was already on thin ice lately with my lades in waiting, I didn't want to make things more awkward between us. It would be different if I didn't have to live with these girls, otherwise I would have spoken whatever words came to my mind.

The door flew open and we all turned to stare at the intruder. Clara's cheeks were flushed, and it looked as if she had run up twenty flights of stairs. She caught her breath before she entered my room and shut the door behind her.

"My lady, Prince Nathaniel has requested you to join him in what he called a 'special meeting'". The confused look on my maid's face caused a smile to spread across my own.

"Do not worry Clara it is a term he uses to spend time with each of us girls at a specific time and place to get to know us better". Even as I explained it to her, I couldn't help but feel a little strange at the thought of spending time with Nathaniel with such a title on our meeting.

"When does she have to be ready?" Margaretta gasped, already leaping to her feet.

"His highness stated that he will be taking her out during dinner time", Clara explained.

I glanced at my ladies in waiting who were staring at Clara with their mouths agape.

"He is taking her for a meal", Elaine whispered.

"Oh, it will be so romantic", Margaretta gushed. "He will probably have dinner with her in the gardens, overlooking the beautiful scenery".

I snorted at the term 'romantic' which caused all three ladies to glare at me. I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Nathaniel being in any way of a gentleman towards me.

"Oh, and also the queen has requested all the debutantes to meet with her in her library this morning", Clara continued. "Just the debutantes. You have an hour before the others shall arrive at the palace".