18

The Palace Gardens

"I feel this is a bit much for a meeting in the garden, Lorna." I pressed my lips tight, looking into the mirror at the lace blue dress that clung to my frame. It was figure hugging accompanied by a gold belt and sat just above my knee.

"Louis requests all girls to be dressed for occasion at all times, he says you never know when a client will decide to show up at the hotel."

"Why do we call it this?"

"Call it what, Miss."

"A hotel, it's nothing but a brothel Lorna, you and I both know it." I scoffed sarcastically as she fiddled with my hair.

"Are we thinking up today, Miss." she brushed my hair into a high pony and tied it with a ribbon. "Yes, that looks perfect, now come, we would rather not be late."

"What do you think he wants, Lorna." I look back to her as she hurried me out of the room.

"I do not know, but it is a strange request, one that I have never known before."

"Lorna, what is the girl like, the one who accompanied Henry last night?" I whispered quietly as she smiled.

"We should not discuss such matters outside the room, Miss Thorn." She looked at the ground as we continued to walk.

"It's Elle or Eleanor would even do."

"Miss Thorn, it's this way." She weaved me in and out of long corridor passages as I reluctantly kept up speed. "Ah master Louis, here is Miss Eleanor just as you requested." She nodded, leaving me alone with him.

"Eleanor follow me." He stood with his back to me, facing the enormous gardens. The French doors were open as the glorious November sun gleamed.

"May I ask what it is you require from me sir. It's just I have not slept, and my mind is much of a fog."

"Once again, Miss Thorn, you do as you are requested. I do not care if you are tired. Now follow me."

I sighed as we walked along a beautifully paved gray pathway, I admired the wonderful array of colourful flowers that smelt divine along the way. The garden was maintained to perfection, of course I would not expect anything different from the palace grounds. We came to a stop at a splendid water fountain that was surrounded by delicate pink and orange flowers. I could smell the fresh honeysuckle scent that poured from them as the sun beamed onto their petals.

"Tell me how did last night go with Mr. Gray?" He folded the sleeves up on his light blue shirt as he lent upon the fountain. "I was hoping to catch him before he left."

"It was fine."

"Fine?" His eyes darted as I shrugged.

"Mr. Gray was satisfied, if that is what you meant."

"I am pleased to hear it and my brother was he satisfied this morning." The colour drained from his already pale face as he glared at me.

"I don't know what you mean." My hands clasped together as tiny specks of water from the fountain blew onto my skin as the breeze picked up a little.

"Oh, stop with the pretence I know Henry came to your room this morning, I know everything that goes on in this palace. I also know that he gave you this necklace, my mothers necklace at that."

"Please, you can't tell the master it will get him killed. Louis, I'm begging off you, please." The tears shimmered in my eyes as a tiny crease formed above the bridge of his nose. For the first time, I see some humanity in his eyes.

"Do you know why he gave you this?" The chain fell between his fingers as a faint smile spread onto his lips, studying the heart shape pendant.

"He said it was a gift for my eighteenth birthday."