The Queen of Stones

Chapter 6

"Your Graces," I say while approaching the four duchesses. "Are you all enjoying your evening?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Angeline Van Coren replies.

"Your Majesty, may I speak with you?" Agnes, my stepmother, asks.

"Of course."

She holds my arm and pulls me away from the group. I notice that her light brown hair is down, falling all over her shoulders. That is courage. Women at court normally wear their hair tied in some way, being a loose hair associated with kids. However, if that was her intention, it worked. Even though Agnes is approaching thirty, with her wavy hair, joyful green eyes, and delicate way of moving, she looks younger than me.

"Oh, Addy, how I have missed you," Agnes says once we are far enough. "You must pray that you are never a widow. I miss the court so much."

"Well, if I were to become a widow, I wouldn't leave. I'm the queen," I say. "And if you miss the court, you should come back."

"Oh no, the nobles wouldn't like that," she says. "There is no place for me here."

"I see." I look down. "But are they treating you well at the winter palace? Do you need anything?"

"No, no, I don't need anything. Everything is great." She presents a sad smile. "I just miss people."

"And in here?" I ask. "Are the wives of the dukes treating you nicely?"

"They are a little bit mean, but what would you expect?" She looks over to the group she was previously a part of. "All of them, but Angeline. I hardly believe that she was born a Bonavich. She is a sweetheart."

"Well, she is married to Ernest Van Coren so maybe he changed her." I laugh.

"Ernest Van Coren is a very noble man, in every sense of the word." Agnes holds my hand, changing to a more serious tone. "But he is also smarter than he looks. You should always follow him. He is a wise man."

"I know, Agnes," I say. "However, his ideas are rather progressive sometimes."

"Maybe we need progress." She tucks a loose hair behind my ear. "I must leave you to your friends now. Even the queen should enjoy the party."

She lets go of my arm and starts to walk away but comes back after a few steps.

"Actually, I need something." She rubs her hands together. "I'm sorry to complain about that, but I fear that the servants must have forgotten to place a seat for me in the Halvard table."

"I'm so sorry." I give a quick look at the other side of the room. "Do you want to be on the stage? I can ask someone to ⎯"

"No, please," she begs. "Somewhere off the stage would be great. Don't really want people gossiping about me."

"Well, then you can sit in the Hawthorne family table." I look at Davi and notice that he is looking at the door, waiting for someone to enter. "No one will be sitting there anyway."

"Thank you so much, Addy."

She walks away and joins the group of duchesses again. I think about her words and decide to enjoy the party. I walk to the closest guard.

"Is Archibald Bradbury here already?" I ask him.

"No, Your Majesty," he says. "But, if you wish, I can inform you when he does arrive."

"Yes, thank you."

Now I can focus on enjoying the party.

I see Coldwell's daughter on the corner of the ballroom, sitting alone in a table near the boys. I take a glass of champagne from a waiter and walk towards her.
Coldwell's daughter is wearing a long white dress with lots of blue details on it and has her blonde hair in a bun on the top of her head with some loose locks falling on her shoulder, bringing a more delicate and youthful look to her.