Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You people are so strange,” he muttered. I realized we’d walked farther along the trees. He was silent, and for some reason, the grimace on his face made it hard for me to continue. “When my father is upset, everyone is aware. The whole palace runs in fear. When my mother is upset, things go shattering across the room.”
Ah…right, his family was much different. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. Not everyone is so blessed in family and marriage, which is why you should not have such high expectations. Life will not go as you wish.”
“Are not high expectations better than low ones?”
“Low ones protect you from getting hurt.”
“But living in fear of being hurt is cowardly,” I said, when in the corner of my eye I saw a giant stag with only one full antler, the other broken, grazing between the trees before me. Without thinking, I reached over and grabbed him. “Look!”
“Gun,” he called softly, and Mr. Dawson handed it to him, only for Wilhelm to place it in my hands and whisper in my ear. “Keep your hands up and steady your feet. Do you have it in sight?”
I nodded, but was more aware of his closeness to me.
“Brace yourself.”
I wanted to ask what I had to brace myself against, but he answered with his body. I felt it directly behind me. Why did he feel so much bigger all of a sudden? Like he was a massive warm rock…and again I found myself taken with the smell of him. So much so that part of me wished to lean against him.
“Focus,” he whispered again, and because he was so close, his breath tickled my face when he spoke. I tried to ignore him by staring at the creature before us, but I couldn’t. I could feel his heart beating.
“On three, you will pull the trigger.” His hand came on top of mine. “One, two…three.”
Bang.
I thought I would miss because he’d squeezed my waist on three, but sure enough, I hit the stag.
“Well done,” he whispered again. My voice caught in my throat. All I could do was nod until he stepped away, taking my gun and moving to talk to Mr. Dawson. I turned back to look at him, not sure why my entire body was warm all of a sudden.
“My lady, are you all right?” Bernice asked me, moving closer.
“Huh? Yes, why?”
“You look…flushed. Are you tired from the walking?” she asked.
“Yes, that is it.” I touched the back of my neck; it was hot. “The walking has tired me.”
“Why don’t we go back and rest? The gamekeepers can take care of everything else—”
“Hathor!” The sudden call of my name interrupted her. I turned to see Mary, Amity, and Lord Covington, as well as another, rounder gentleman named Lord Barrow beside Emma, all coming over to us.
“Fine catch, Your Highness!” Mary said, immediately getting closer to him.
“It was not I, but Lady Hathor,” he clarified. They all looked at me, unbelieving.
“You?” Amity questioned with an expression of scornful disbelief.
“Yes, me. I do not know why you are surprised. I am quite the fine marksman,” I lied with pride, and Wilhelm merely snickered, shaking his head.
“Well done,” Lord Covington said to me as he stepped closer. It sounded strangely…empty, in comparison to when Wilhelm said the same words. “We shall eat well tonight, thanks to you.”
Ever since Wilhelm told me Lord Covington used the same words over and over again with other young ladies, I had found myself avoiding his pleasantries and attention. All I could do was give him a polite smile. “I’m glad. Please excuse me.”
“Lady Hathor.” He stepped into my path again, whispering, though with all the other ladies focused only on their beloved prince I doubted anyone noticed either of us. “It is clear the queen wishes to see you and August together, but you need not force yourself to be with him. If you desire someone else’s company, know that I am here for you, in anything you need.”
In that moment I realized two things: I did not wish to need Lord Covington, and not once while I was with Wilhelm had I ever wished to be in another person’s company. I glanced over to the small group gathered around him, and when I did, I saw his eyes were trained on us. On me.
Thump.
…For the first time ever, my heart went thump.
“Excuse me,” I said to him, grabbing on to the skirt of my dress so I could run.
“My lady!” Bernice yelled after me, but I ran faster, so fast I had to reach up and hold my hat with one hand. I was sure I looked mad, running through the grounds as though I were being chased by a wild beast. But I did not care. I ran until I was finally back in the castle, and then up the stairs, bursting into Devana’s room, who sat startled with her music sheets.