Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 14

"So you're saying that Lord Stylianou and Mr. Wright spoke with Emily before the incident?" It had been four days since Emily got hurt. The Queen was making them retell it repeatedly so she could examine it from different angels. "Incident". That's what they had started to call Emily's accident. Philip was half amused and half incredulous at how delicate the word sounded. Completely wrong considering how his chest had pounded even as he felt something cold clutch and squeeze his insides. His breath still caught in his throat at the remembered panic.

"Philip...Philip." He blinked. Grandmamma was saying something. "If you would pay attention my dear," her voice held a gentle retort. "I was saying we need to keep an eye on Lord Stylianou for the time being."

"Yes Grandmamma."

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. But I believe we need to watch out for Edmund as well." Matthew was unable to say the words "my Uncle".

"I believe we've gone over this before. What could he possibly achieve by harming Philip?" She said, dismissing his concerns.

That's where his theory stumped Matthew. He knew in his bones that it was Wright, but there was no motive and no evidence. He conceded the point, for now. Standing up he said, "I need to excuse myself. I have to be on a plane to Belgium shortly."

"Oh yes," the Queen said. "It slipped my mind. Go along then. And good luck, Matthew." Hearing his name made Matthew strangely emotional. Nobody had called him just that in a long while. He was always 'Wright' and he hated being associated with the same name as his uncle.

"Thank you." Then he grinned cockily, "I'm definitely getting the Belgians to part with their money."

"I have no doubt you will."

Philip was strangely quiet during this exchange. Absently he waved away Matthew and continued to stare into space.

"Philip..." the Queen said quietly. When there was no response, she shook her head and smiled indulgently. "I don't think we're going to get any more out of him today, are we Mr. Norris?"

"it seems unlikely Your Majesty." They both exchanged a smile, amused by Philip's inattention. Of course, they knew its cause. Philip heard none of the exchange. His thoughts were churning. The dominant one was guilt. He should have listened to her. Closely followed by the thought that there was no way someone like Emily would ever consider him as her...as her...her man. The hopeful part of him said 'but she's so warm and friendly. Surely that could mean something.' And the cynical part of him said, 'yes well she's like that with everyone. Of course, it doesn't mean anything special.' He broke from his woolgathering to see his grandmother and Mr. Norris looking at him with expressions of concern. Shaking his head to clear it, he bent forward to reach for the papers on the table.

"About the meeting with the Wine Growers association..."

"Oh just go see her Philip."

"I'm sorry?"

"Go see Emily."

"I..errr..we've got a lot to do." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"It's been four days Philip." The shook her head in exasperation. What was he going to say to her? "I'm sorry"? "I lov...". No, he didn't want to go there.

"You can't avoid her forever. Go," Grandmamma all but commanded. "Take the rest of the day off. If you're feeling bad, go make it up to her." Philip shrank into his chair feeling cornered. He looked at Mr. Norris but he wasn't getting any help from there either. Slowly he got to his feet. He desperately wanted to see her so he found himself rushing along the corridors yet with every step he got closer something inside him felt heavier. He was a bundle of contradictions and was beginning to irritate himself. Maybe he'd go read for a while and calm down first before attempting to see her. All thoughts of procrastination vanished when he neared his rooms. Emily's door was open and he heard Marie.