The Betrothed

I hope you are not too disappointed in my choice. It didn’t seem like the Eastoffes were too friendly with the royal family of Isolte, and King Quinten made his feelings for them quite apparent. I have kept our friendship a secret from my soon-to-be family for now, but I would like to tell them of it if that would be acceptable to you.

As I said, I know this news will be a surprise for you, but I’m sure it will be a great comfort to your king, who didn’t seem too delighted at my place in Jameson’s life. I know that I am now only a private person, but I am still hoping you will find time to write to me. Of all the things I’ve said goodbye to recently, you are the one I miss the most.

Please write to me as soon as you’re able and tell me all your news. You will always have a trusted friend in me, and I hope that I shall always have one in you. Send all letters to my family’s manor: Varinger Hall, Dahere County, Coroa.

Your dear friend,

Hollis

“Who are you writing to?” Silas asked as I pulled out a new sheet of paper.

“Friends, family. My parents are next on the list so they’ll know to come home.”

He shook his head, looking around the empty, dusty manor that his family was going to make new. “You left a palace for this. . . . I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt a little embarrassed. I want to give you more, Hollis.”

I stood, walking over to him in my mud-stained ball gown from the night before. “I would live in a shack if it meant you would be there with me, Silas Eastoffe. I don’t want that life, not in the least.”

“All the same,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. “When I said I didn’t want you to worry about your reputation, I didn’t know exactly how bad this could be.”

“It’s not as if I eloped,” I protested.

“No. You simply left the castle with no chaperone to go with a man who is not your intended to live in the country while your would-be fiancé—who happens to be the king—deals with the aftermath of your humiliating departure.”

I grimaced. “It does sound rather bad when you say it like that, but I’ve lived in Keresken Castle for years. Trust me, within the week, there will be a new scandal so outrageous that I will be a whisper of a memory forgotten in time.”

“Do you really think so?”

I tilted my head up, thinking. “Hmm, maybe a week is too soon. Let’s start counting. This is day one. If something entirely new hasn’t swept up the attentions of court in, let’s say, fifty days, then you can choose your reward.”

“Deal.” He sealed the bargain with a kiss, and it was the most beautiful thing, to be free and alone with Silas.

We heard the unmistakable sound of horses in the distance and ran to the front of the manor to see. Coming down the weathered path, Lady Eastoffe poked her head out of the carriage, waving. Silas and I stood on the front steps, ready to welcome our family to their new home in Coroa.

Twenty-Eight

“LET ME DO THIS FINAL knot, and you’ll be ready.” Scarlet laced me into one of her dresses with slightly less extravagant sleeves so I could brave the trip to Varinger Hall. It had taken a day for my letter to reach the palace, another for a reply, and now it was time to face my dragons.

“Did you all intend to buy a home so close to mine?” I asked, still nervous about my mission.

“Not at all,” she answered with a laugh. “We had four replies for estates, and this was the least expensive one.”

I looked around at the ragged room we’d been sharing the last two days for the sole purpose of improving one room at a time. “I can’t imagine why.”

“Silas made me swear I’d never tell you where we were settling. He said you would be living at the castle forever now anyway, so you’d never know. Personally, I thought it was fate.”

She turned around so I could line up her laces, quite content with her assessment. “Fate, you say? I’ll ask you about that again when we’re sweeping cobwebs from the corners this afternoon,” I teased.

She giggled as I pulled her in tight, and I was pleased to see I hadn’t lost my talent for tying a gown.

“There. Pretty as a picture.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” she offered.

“No, I think your mother will suffice. Besides, I’m not sure how the staff will behave when I show up without my parents.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” She kissed my cheek. “Come visit soon, all right?”

“I don’t think Silas would let me stay away too long anyway. You have my word. I’ll bring your dress back by the end of the week, at least,” I promised, going to find Lady Eastoffe.

She was waiting in the entryway, sliding her gloves on. It was a move remarkably reminiscent of my own mother, the final touch to make sure she looked like a lady. She walked over, giving me a warm embrace.

“All ready?” she asked.

“Yes. The dress is a bit long on me, but at least it’s not a muddy ball gown. Thank you all again.”

She laughed. “Anything for you, darling girl. Let’s get going. Your parents will have a lot to say to you, and I don’t want to keep them waiting. I’m sure they’ve got enough to dislike me for at the moment,” she added with a wink.

I followed obediently into the coach, and we sat in comfortable silence for most of the ride to my house.

“Silas says you two would like to be married quickly. Are you quite sure about that? You were just in a very serious relationship,” she offered.

“No, I wasn’t.” I looked away, going through the memories in my head. “It was short. And manipulative. And one-sided. I was so caught up in the fun of being elevated that I didn’t see for a long time how Jameson was treating me. I hate to admit this, and you must never tell him I said it . . . but Etan was right. Jameson wanted me to be pretty and entertaining, but never to think or fail. I’m not sure that can be called a relationship. Not really.”

She shook her head, an understanding smile on her face. “No, I suppose it can’t.”

“I love Silas. He sees me as I am and loves me with all my faults. I don’t want to wait when I already know.”

She patted my leg, looking quite pleased. “Sounds a lot like me when I found Dashiell. There were people who warned me about rushing, of course . . . but I couldn’t help it. He swept me off my feet.”

That was a feeling I knew all too well. When it was real, there was nothing to be done.

We pulled up on the main road to Varinger Hall, and as we rounded to a stop, I saw my parents waiting for me on the front steps. Mother had her gloves on, which meant she didn’t plan to be there for long.

“Oh dear,” I muttered.

“That doesn’t look good. Should I stay?”

“No. They’ll want to talk to me alone. I’ll send a letter once things calm down.”

I stepped out of the carriage, turning to wave to Lady Eastoffe before facing my parents.

Father pointed, and I saw that, just in front of the carriage I’d gotten out of, another one was waiting.

“Get in,” he insisted.

“Where are we going?”

My mother crossed her arms. “To the castle. You are going to beg King Jameson for forgiveness and smooth this over before another girl catches his eye.”