Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 58

EDWARD
1 JULY 1415

Lady Elizabeth entered the room, curtsying. "Your Grace," she said, "you called for me?"

"Yes," I answered. "Lady Farrow is out of her sorts. Make sure she sobers up and changes her gown before returning to the table."

Upon that, I left the chamber and headed to the hall.

"His Royal Highness," announced the bellman upon my arrival. "Prince Regent."

Before taking my seat, Lord James approached. "How is she?"

"She is drunk beyond her endurance," I muttered.

"I apologise sincerely, Your Grace," he said. "I was just trying to cheer her up, because when I met her in the morning, she was not her usual self." My heart clenched with pain. "She is exhausting herself beyond her measures. I could not see her like this. She was distraught, yet she still gave a lesson to the children. But by the end of the lesson, she was worn out. I thought taking her out would boost her spirits."

I looked into his sincere eyes. He truly meant no harm.

"I do not hold any grudge against you, Lord James, but taverns and ales are not for ladies like her." He looked down in shame. "Would you have taken Lady Elizabeth there?"

"Myra is not my sister, Your Grace!"

I fixed the chains on his doublet. "Exactly my point!" Glaring, I ordered, "Stay away from her."

Upon taking further steps, I was approached by the Medici again. "Your Highness," he said, bowing. "May we have a word in private?"

I looked around the court, not sure what he had to say. Agreeing, I motioned him to come aside.

"How is Signora Farrow?" he asked. I rolled my eyes with agitation. Why was the entire world interested to know about her?

"She is indisposed."

"Oh, I was hoping to talk to her."

"About?"

A pageboy approached to offer us wine.

"About..." He bit his lip, gulping down the wine. "We had a discussion with the King over letters." I could see in his face that he had changed the subject. His eyes darted everywhere in the court to look for Myra.

Another dog to lick her boot! The thought made me want to strangle him, but he was the state's guest. I could not even think of harming him.

"I heard you want to open a branch of your bank in London," I asked.

"Indeed," he answered. "We have a good proposition for His Majesty."

I was in no mood to discuss state matters right now when she had completely occupied my mind. But when was the last time I had not thought of her? Did she expect an apology? Should she not be apologising for behaving like a drunken harlot in a royal court? And if she wanted me to apologise for my words last night...ha! I would not. I would not let her ruin her precious life on my curse.

Then what do you want, Edward?

I was neither letting her go to another man nor was I doing anything to make her mine. Till I bated my last breath, I just could not see her with any other man. If she called me jealous, then I had no shame in accepting the fact that, yes, I was jealous. Jealous of every man who made her smile, who made her laugh, who invaded her fantasy. I wanted to win her in every way.

But what are you doing to win her?

Sighing, I downed the wine in my hand. There was a war waging within me. I wanted her badly, but I could not make her mine.