Page 4 of Learning to Rule

“Who’s that?” I ask, pointing to the portrait, and Dalton gets to his feet and heads over to it.

“That’s King Ferdinand. He’s something like my twelfth generation ancestor. He ruled in the late fifteen hundreds and was a good king. He really helped his people. It’s a shame the current king doesn’t share the same kindness.”

“I happen to agree.” I take a closer look at the picture, the handsome features, and the strong jaw. “He looks like you.”

“I hope one day I’ll be half the man he was.” Dalton helps me to my feet. “But first, let’s find Marianne and find out what is going on with her.”

I hold his hand tightly, looking back at the picture one final time before we leave the gallery.

“Was he married?” I question.

“Yes.” Dalton presses a kiss to the top of my head. “To a queen who is still celebrated today for her compassion and love for her people.”

Two

Dalton

Relief floods through me, knowing Elodie believes what I’ve told her about Marianne and my father. I have no inclination to marry Marianne. The only person I’ll ever give my life to is Elodie, and that will be when the time is right, not when my father dictates. Elodie and I return to the throne room to find my father and mother have both disappeared. Hinchbootie is standing outside.

“Are you all right, Miss Nash?” he questions, and I feel happy he’s become close to her.

“I am, thank you, Mr. Hinchbottom. It was a bit of a shocking welcome. Still, Dalton assures me of his affection for me and the true nature of his father’s proclamation.”

“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want you to feel forced to leave already. You and I have got a lot of hard work to show off.” Mr. Hinchbottom winks at Elodie, and I know the old man has prepared her perfectly for life at court.

“Thank you.” I bow my head toward him.

Felix is my private secretary, but when I was exiled to Florida with Hinchbootie, he was temporarily transferred to the services of my father. Now I’ve returned, I hope I don’t have to give Hinchbootie back—I much prefer his company.

“Where has my father gone?” I ask.

“He returned to his rooms, screaming obscenities in your name. I would give him a few minutes more to calm down.”

I shake my head.

“No, I have to deal with this before his ridiculous plan to marry me to Marianne takes the form of a public announcement. Where is Marianne?” I question.

“She’s in the apartments next to your cousin Alexandra’s.”

“Thank you. I think I need to speak to her first.”

Hinchbootie nods, and I turn to Elodie.

“Would you like to go and freshen up before we face my father again?”

She shakes her head. “No, I want to be a part of everything.”

“I’m relieved that’s your answer. At the moment, I don’t particularly want to let you out of my sight for any reason.” I take Elodie’s hand and pull her close to me. “Hinchbootie, will you see to it that our belongings are put in my apartments? Miss Nash will be staying with me.”

The personal secretary opens his mouth. I know it’s to protest that she should have her own apartments in the guest quarters, away from mine. It’s protocol. He stops himself, though.

“I’ll see to it at once, sir.”

“Thank you.” I wink at him and lead Elodie down another long corridor toward my cousin’s apartments. She’s fourth in line to the throne after my uncle Henry and my cousin Gregory, who are both very unpleasant men. I rarely see them, and thankfully, my father likes to keep them as far away from the throne as possible. It’s one of my father’s only redeeming features in a long list of evil ones.

“This place is like a maze!” Elodie exclaims with a frown creasing her brow. “I’ll never have a clue where I’m going.”

“You’ll learn the layout eventually. It was a fun place to run around as a child, and the best place for playing hide and seek. I could stay missing for hours,” I inform her as fond childhood memories of hiding from my governess with my cousins enter my head.

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