One Look

Chapter 28

"Are you sure the queen only requested you?" Elaine demanded for the second time that morning.

"She said she only wants the debutantes with her this morning as she wants to get to know us better... one of us is soon to become her daughter", I stated. Margaretta watched me from the corner of her eye, but whatever comment she was about to make she kept to herself.

"Are the men in the palace today?" Elaine asked, and I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. Who has she her eye on?

"No, they are off hunting", I sighed. "The season is almost over, and you know men and there need to take down every living creature". Margaretta grinned before composing herself, she was busy pinning my hair up while allowing loose tendrils to fall to frame my face.

"All done, too bad the prince won't see you when you look this beautiful", Margaretta said sadly. I tried not to take offence to her words and instead ensured I grabbed a hair pin of my dresser while she wasn't paying attention.

"Thank you, ladies, I'll find my own way to the Queen's library. I'll see you during luncheon", I said quickly and left the room before they could question me further. My heart was hammering in my chest, but I knew I had to do this, it was now or never. Another opportunity like this would probably not come up again. My note to the Queen had hopefully arrived by now. In the note I had stated that I was unwell and that I think I have come down with Oscars cold. The Queen and princess hopefully thought I was in bed sick, while my ladies in waiting thought I was with the queen. No one would be looking for me, I had to do this now.

I stopped near Oscars bedchamber and waited for my accomplice. I had sent a note off with Clara with the instructions to leave it with Oscar and only Oscar. I strained my neck around the corner and there he was. He looked very pale and he was currently having a sneezing fit. I let out a hiss when he turned the corner and he looked at me with alarm.

"Stop sneezing", I whispered. "We are meant to be quiet".

"Sorry Eloise", he muttered. "It's not my fault I have a terrible cold". He fixed me with a glare, so I softened the hard look in my eyes.

"Do you have any clue why I asked you to meet me?" He shook his head, so I continued, "As you know the duke of Kensington has caused me alarm since I began staying here. I need to find out what he is hiding because I know that it is something that includes me".

"What?" Oscar frowned. "What do you think he has done?"

"Well for starters he ordered Charles to court me". I had forgotten I had not gotten around to telling any of this to Oscar. "And I think that is reason enough to find out why".

"I guess but I still don't know what's going on". His confused expression nearly caused me to laugh, but I was too stressed.

"I will explain everything to you later but now we need to hurry. All the men are gone for a hunt, the ladies are all occupied so it's the perfect time for me to pull this off", I said slowly, I was trying to make myself believe that I could do this.

"Pull what off?" Oscar sighed, and placed his hand on his head. "You're causing my brain to hurt; I wasn't expecting to have to think so much today".

"I am going to brake into the duke of Kensington's room and look for information", I stated, and his eyes widened.

"Eloise you cannot do that", Oscar gasped, now I was a little shocked. Oscar was always up for anything, the riskier the better. I hadn't planned on talking him into this.

"Yes, I can, and you are going to keep watch for me".

"What if you get caught?"

"I won't because you are keeping watch".