Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Addie stayed in her bedchamber for precisely two whole days, lamenting her decision to say goodbye to the man she loved. The tears came and went, as did Emilia, despite Addie's continual insistence that she should just be left alone. Addie never told Emilia why she was crying, but somehow the other woman knew. But when Emilia did come to sit with her, not a single word about Theo was spoken. Just a complicit understanding of love lost.

As she adjusted to the idea of living without him, Addie couldn't help but admit an inkling of regret at having turned down Theo's proposal of an affair. She knew she had acted fiercely opposed to his offer, and that her words had hurt him, but the truth was Addie loved him so fervently that she ached deep in her bones. Everything felt bleak without him.

Addie also knew that she was doing what was right. She hadn't survived that accident to only dishonor her family. She owed this to the crown.

On the third day since they had moved into Lord Trotten's home, Addie vowed that she was done wallowing. She had a wedding to prepare for, after all. Not to mention a multitude of royal duties that she must be ready to attend to.

No, she must move on. But when Addie had asked Emilia if there had been any missives sent over for her, Emilia was hesitant to respond.

"Emilia, it is time for me to meet my obligations." Emilia glanced up from where she was sitting, surprised. Addie busied herself with smoothing the skirts of her newly acquired day dress. Lady Humphries had brought her so many garments that Addie was barely able to fit them in her bedchamber. Most were intended for her wedding trousseau, but Addie had also kept several out to be worn. She glanced at Emilia, who was still sitting, frozen. "Have there been any notes sent for me? If so, I would like to see them now."

"It is just that I'm not certain you are ready, Addie," Emilia said, uncertainty splayed across her face.

Addie sighed. "I'm not certain, either, but I find I have little choice."

Emilia had been sitting in the front parlor reading, content while curled up next to the fireplace. She patted the space next to her on the settee.

"Why don't you sit with me for a while, instead? It is rather early for correspondence, after all."

Addie responded with a stern stare but was saved from the reproving lady by a deep voice behind her.

"Lady Emilia, if Her Royal Highness would like to see her messages, she is more than fit to make that decision herself," Lord Trotten said, strolling into the room to settle in the chair opposite Emilia.

Emilia looked at Lord Trotten in a way that distinctly said she disagreed. But regardless, she unfolded her legs slowly, extracting herself from the cocoon she had built. "Why don't you have a seat by the fire, Addie, while I grab the notes. I know just where they are."

She left the room, but not without one final glare at their host.

Addie rounded on Lord Trotten. "Do be nice to her. She is just trying to be a friend."

Trotten folded his hands in his lap with a sigh. "Yes, I know. However, I also know that you don't need to be coddled or protected in the way that she thinks. Do you?"

Addie regretfully shook her head.

"I didn't think so." He shifted in his chair then, surveying her as he did so. "I also wanted to tell you something. In private," he said.

"Oh?"

"For several years now, I have played the role of confidante to your uncle. It was forced at first, by the King himself. I was his puppet. When it began, there was constant speculation on his part. I felt like he was constantly looking over my shoulder, sending me to do his bidding in parliament, summoning me to him at all hours of the night. But then, as time progressed, I began to initiate the contact. I began to suggest to him policies I knew he would support, and I began to earn his trust."