One Look

Chapter 10

Nathaniel gently sat down in the seat beside me and I tried to ignore the glare I received from Henrietta who was seated at a different table.

"Where's Charles?" I hissed, when the chatter returned to its normal volume and Henrietta removed her glare. Nathaniel cast a quick glance around and shrugged.

"I guess he must be unwell or something, he never said anything to me", Nathaniel said as he began to stack his plate with all the food on the table.

"Do you think he's avoiding me?" I fretted and his hand froze in mid-air which was reaching for the carrots. He dropped it gently beside his plate.

"Now why would he be avoiding you?"

"Well I basically asked him to court me", I blushed, and he let out a loud chuckle, again attracting unwanted attention. My eyes met the kings icy glare and I quickly looked down at my food.

"Eloise Thompson", he chuckled, but much quieter now. "You just could not allow the poor man to do something by himself".

"I freaked out", I protested, and he glanced at me curiously. "I suddenly pictured myself as a bitter old spinster, all because I allowed the nicest man I ever encountered to walk away".

"I will not take offence to that", Nathaniel smirked. "Though I highly doubt you would off ended up as an old spinster". He then put a forkful of food in his mouth and I glanced down at my untouched plate.

"How do you know that?" I questioned.

"Well I would have arranged one of my many friends to marry you", he said simply.

"And I would have had no say", I muttered.

"No I would of lined them all up for you, gave you a brief of their personality and allowed you to choose one of them or two if you fancy that", he teased and I glared at him but couldn't help but smile.

"You're an idiot", I chuckled, and began to pick at my dinner.

"Don't ever think that I don't look out for you", he stated and I stared at him.

"I never said you didn't".

"You assumed if you didn't rush into things with Charles, you would've ended up alone. Now if you're asking me, that does not sound very Eloise like", he said with a chuckle, but I glared at him.

"I like Charles and I know he likes me", I said quietly.

"Hey, I never said you didn't. I just meant I hope you didn't say he could court you, just because you feared being alone", he said gently.

"Why are you worrying about it. You're probably going to end up with a girl who is completely stuck up and does not know anything outside her 'how to be a lady' book", I glowered, and he turned his face blank at my words.

"Yes, and she'll never argue with me about anything", he mumbled, and I sniggered.

"Gosh what a boring life, with a wife who agrees with everything you say", I laughed. "Would probably suit you well".

"It will give me a break from all the grief you give me, that is for sure", he chuckled. "But I do wish you a happy life with Charles". When he said those words, it felt like my heart dropped. All our joking around was pointing at the obvious, I was now courting Charles, which would lead to an engagement and then marriage.

"Oh god", I groaned, and Nathaniel glanced at me, amusement on his face. "How did we reach the age of marriage?" I lay my head on the table and Nathaniel poked my side.

"Lift your head up, people are staring", he whispered lowly, I quickly lifted my head up and threw a quick glance at the King who was thankfully talking to his wife.