Pearls and Roses

15. Acquaintances, Lovers, Families II

I held my bag against my chest, smiling as I stepped into the hallway. Grace ended up buying a great quantity of dresses and materials she suggested I give to Mr Ap Hugh but, I had someone else in mind. The dressmaker where I worked.

There were chatters coming from the drawing room. Lady Annabelle's voice I recognized but who was the other lady?

I tipped toed up the stairs and shut the door to my bedchambers gently behind me.

I emptied the bag on my bed before lifting my trunks. Clara liked to stack them atop each other to make space but I did not need space as much as I needed natural light;  they obstructed the sunlight my room got when the sun rose or set.

After placing them against each other horizontally, I stood to catch my breath before neatly arranging the dresses into them.

I then sat in the alcove. The location of my room gave me clear view to the back gardens and the grass landscape leading into the forest, however my exit route was not visible. So whose room had the view? Clearly it wasn't Lady Annabelle's or Sir Hooley's or Ellen's.

A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes?"

Clara stepped in, "Lady Annabelle calls for you, in the drawing room."   

I had no desire whatsoever to meet anyone today and she never introduced me to anyone or her friends.

I stood up, "Who is in the drawing room with her?"

"I thought you were alerted of Princess Kate's visit?" She frowned, "I did send Hannah to inform you."

The fault was hardly Hannah's. She probably forgot to tell her that I was not home. I shook my head, "I just returned from town."

"No, we were made aware of this visit about two days ago."

Oh. Just like Lady Annabelle or Sir Hooley to leave me out. Now, it looked like I was discourteous.

Was Hannah one of the new maids? Or was she among those who disliked me?

Their station didn't permit them to be bold about their feelings but, for me, few of them were; constantly turning their nose or outright ignoring me. Lady Annabelle's lack of reprimand served as an informal incentive to their behavior.

I smiled at Clara whose brows were drawn together. "I must have forgotten." I linked my arms with hers as we walked out the door.

"I will be sure to deliver any news to you directly from now on."

"I am not sure there will be more news for you to deliver."

"There will be more news. His Royal Highness is your betrothed now, there will be events or outings you will have to go to, I am sure," she placed her hand over my arm as we walked down the stairs. 

    It will be a blessing if his demeanor remained unchanged but, last night weighed on my mind. 

No, last night was nothing. He was being a gentleman. Would you rather had fallen to the ground? Further humiliating and hurting yourself in front of him?

     But, the blanket also.

     Don't be stupid Leila.

He must be testing me seeing how he had asked if he should keep our distance. That was what he probably wanted.

    "Don't think too much of it. You'll only overcomplicate matters if you do." Clara said and I looked at her, we were nearing the drawing room. 

   Too much of what? Oh, right. The events. "I will be fine Clara."