Through a Masked Maiden's Eyes

Prologue

I laughed as I ran down the cobble stones. He wasn't going to catch me. I turned the corner and rammed into something solid knocking it to the ground with me on top of it.

I blinked staring down at the very person I had been running from.

“No fair! You had to give me a ten second head start!" I cried out with irritation.

"Ida, really? You're two years younger than me, and a girl. Did you really think ten seconds would make that big of difference?" He mocked from below me.

I pouted at him. "Don't be so arrogant, I'll win against you one of these days... Dusty." I hopped off of him as fast as my twelve year old legs could carry me.

Dustin Winstrow, a dear family friend, hated my nickname for him, said it sounded, what was the word... unmanly? No... prissy? The point is he didn't like it so I needed to get away before he tickled me to death.

I turned another corner and spotted the shop where momma was buying Wesley a trinket. I smiled when I saw my little brother. Perfect.

I ran and stood right behind Wesley just as Dusty turned the corner. I smiled sweetly at him and he scowled at me, telling me with his eyes that this wasn’t near over. I raised an eyebrow at him and let me sweet smile fade into a smirk, still standing behind my little brother, the perfect shield.

I wasn’t not supposed to be playing with Dusty, at all. It was unseemly, but I didn't care. He'd been my friend for as long as I could remember and it didn't matter what society thought of the Duke's granddaughter being friends with their estate's blacksmith's son in training.

Society's rules were stifled and overrated.

Dusty's scowl turned into a polite smile when my momma's gaze turned on him. Momma liked Dusty and said it didn't matter what people said, if I wanted to be friends with him. Her eyes shot to mine holding a mischievous light. "Ida dear, Wesley and I are going to head back to the estate now. You should stay here in town till your dance lesson. I can send someone to get you afterwards."

Wesley stared at his trinket running his hand over it smiling contently. He was such a sweet little brother most of the time but painfully oblivious to the current conversation. I rested my hand on his little shoulders trying to get his attention. He was too enraptured by his shiny new toy to pay me any mind.

I laughed all but nervously and clutched at Wesley's shoulders a little harder but not painfully trying to get him to help me out as I said, "Nonsense Momma, I can walk home by myself. After all I’m nearly thirteen."

Dusty cut in "I'll be glad to take her home Madam London, after all I have dance class today was well." He grimaced ever so slightly when he said the word dance. It was right below the word Dusty on his list of dislike.

I smiled at that thought but it quickly died as I watched him and momma.

Momma beamed at him and winked towards me. My mouth dropped open and I snapped it shut. Traitor! I glared at her playfully.

"That would be lovely Dustin. Thank you so much. The family simply wouldn't be the same without you. Now how many times do I have to tell you to call me Candrima, or even Rima?"

Dusty smiled charmingly and said "It's no bother, Madam- I mean- C-candrima." He coughed nervously shuffling his feet.

Momma smiled again but this time there is a flash of sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Dustin. Take good care of Ida now." With that she twirled away pulling Wesley swiftly along behind her long skirts. Wesley trailed behind chattering about what he would do with his new toy and asking what was for dinner.