One Look

Chapter 43

Breakfast passed by in a blur. Ruth, Charlottes, Isabella, and their ladies in waiting were also there. The atmosphere with the debutantes felt different than before. It was like we all knew the stakes now, that the competition was much smaller but our chances much larger. Nathaniel had his own reason for choosing each of us and none of us could be certain of our fate. I forced myself through laughter, fake smiles and idle conversations. I was pleased when breakfast was over, as it meant that I could relax. As we began to stand up, one of the queen's ladies came rushing over to us. She dropped into a curtsy, and we all looked at her expectantly.

"Her majesty has asked me to tell Lady Eloise, Lady Isabella, Lady Ruth, and Lady Charlotte, that you all have the rest of the day to settle in and that tomorrow your schedules will arrive", the lady declared. We nodded our heads and thanked her before she hurried back to the queen's side.

"Schedules", Charlotte sighed. "We better not have chores".

"Well personally I believe it will be lessons", Isabella declared. "To ensure one of us will make a good queen".

I glanced over at Margaretta and Elaine, but they were currently in conversation with Ruth and her ladies in waiting. Before they could notice, I quickly left the breakfast hall and made my way outside. The weather was beautiful again, the sky a cloudless one with the sun beaming down on me. From the short walk from the palace to the stables, I could already feel a sweat break out on my back. When I reached the stables, Nathaniel was waiting for me. When he saw me, he smiled, and extended a bow.

"Did you enjoy breakfast?" he asked casually, and I grimaced.

"It was... umm... interesting to say the least". I laughed lightly and he smiled in response. "Why did you go all the way to my side of the palace last night just to deliver me a note?" It amused me to see a tinge of pink colour his tanned cheeks. The sun did wonders to his light skin, unlike how it enjoyed burning mine and giving me freckles.

"One of the horses gave birth yesterday evening, and I assumed you would like to see the new foal", he announced, and my eyes widened in excitement.

"Oh, do show me", I said in one breath, forcing myself to stand still. He grinned at me and held out his arm which I grabbed on to.

"Now remember to keep quiet and not startle the poor mother and baby", he whispered in my ear as we approached the back of the stable. I nodded quickly, my heart hammering in my chest as we stopped outside a stall. Nathaniel slowly opened the door and my eyes adjusted to the lighting. There in the stall was a little foal who was standing on long wobbly legs. Nathaniel entered the stall and patted the horse on the nose, and she happily nuzzled into his hand.

"Is she protective of her baby?" I asked gently, so as not to disturb the horse.

"Nattie is a brilliant mother, but she is also very trusting of me", he explained, his eyes on the little brown foal with a white snowflake like marking on its forehead.

"Will she be okay with me?" I asked tentatively.

"She usually trusts whoever I allow in here", he said calmly, and beckoned me to approach. I carefully left the safety of the doorway and made my way over to Nathaniel. The horse eyed me suspiciously and let out a puff of air through its nostrils, which caused me to take a step back.

"Nate, I am unsure about whether she wants me here", I said quickly, my eyes darting between him and the horse.

"Come here", he chuckled and held out his hand for me. I glanced unsurely at his hand, and internally laughed at myself for thinking of it inappropriate when I had already kissed him. Twice. I stepped closer again and attempted to place my hand in Nathaniel's only for the horse to step closer and snap her teeth at me. I hurried back to the doorway and shook my head quickly as Nathaniel's laughter grew.