The Solstice Daughters

chapter 13

TRIAL 1

        Day 8

AS it turned out, Lord Marianial's son did not show up for dinner. The Lord reassured them that something important must have come up but the unimpressed look on his face said otherwise. As Willa expected, Lady Marianial sat silently the entire evening, only speaking when spoken to by her husband. Willa chipped in every now and then when the Lord or Huntington spoke to her directly, sometimes on her own which earned her a few sharp glares from her fake husband. When they had finally departed to their chambers, Willa dressed into her nightgown again and went to take a rest in the bathtub that was her bed.

"Wake up." Willa jumped in shock at the sound of the bathroom door being slammed over and whacked the back of her head against the cold tub. Huntington stood under the door frame with his arms crossed and a bored expression displayed. "I have things to do." He said, shortly. "Call your ladies in waiting to dress you and then you may do what you want. Just don't blow your cover or I'll wring your neck."

"Have a horrible day." Willa grumbled in response as he shut the door. Rubbing her fuzzy vision, she stepped into the room, gazing around curiously. A thought came to her mind. Perhaps if she looked well enough she could find some clue as to what the secretive pirate was up to. She started with the pillows by running her hands beneath them and inside the cases, checking to see if there were any rips, but she found nothing. Her next targets were all the draws and more obvious places like under a desk or in the safe. She hummed, asking herself if she were a pirate, where would she hide something?

Willa had no idea what she was looking for- if there even was anything to look for but her curiosity got the best of her so she kept searching in hopes of solving the mystery behind Huntington's motives. So far she knew only that he held grudge against the upper class; reasonably so. That could insinuate that he was out for revenge even if she wasn't sure what type or how she was involved. However, Huntington could very well have faked his act as a Lord on his own so why bring her with him and why make her stage as his wife specifically?

Frustrated at her lack of progress, she took rest at the end of the king bed, staring at her reflection in the dresser mirror opposite her. She titled her head, noticing small pieces of wood chip from the back and a light bulb went off in her head. Willa jumped off the bed with adrenaline soaring through her, bending her knees onto the rough carpet and twisting her body under the dresser, facing upwards. Her hands knocked at the wood lightly and soon she realized it was hollow, indicating her assumptions- there was a hidden drawer. She pulled out from under and gazed around for something to break the wood with because there didn't seem to be any screws or openings. It was a stupid idea and the captain would probably discover her sleuthing and punish her for it so Willa decided on plan B.

It was crucial she found out what time he would be back in the room which meant she needed to befriend her ladies in waiting. When she opened the door, they were standing together against the wall patiently.

Willa allowed them to bathe and dress her and then took a seat at her dresser while one styled her hair and the other scavenged through the jewellery box for a matching set. "I-I feel as though I must apologize for forgetting my manners yesterday." She started with fake shyness and both girls widened their eyes at her like they were surprised she even acknowledged them at all. "What are your names?"

The girls peaked at each other hesitantly before the short, older one responded. "I am Florence, my lady. She is my sister, Arabella."

With a kind nod, Willa began playing with her hands in her lap to seem nervous while they added the finishing touches to her look. Today she wore a similar dress to the one from the day before, casual, pretty and purple. The only difference was that her washed hair had finally settled her waves and Arabella had twisted two front strands and clipped them back with a flower pin. As she stood to leave, she turned her head back to the two, shooting them a nervous look. "I understand the Marianials are occupied and I would really appreciate the company what with my husband busy. Would you both be willing to join me?" She pleaded.