Page 10 of The Time Of Queens

“And nor should he, for he has waited many centuries to find you,” she reminded me, making me feel the sharp stab of guilt once more.

“I know,” I said, slumping down into one of the many chairs in the room… seriously, what was it with this time period and chairs. They seemed to be everywhere in this house.

After this she walked over to me, still in her undergarments, and patted me on the shoulder.

“Be not ill at ease, for all will be well, I am sure of it,” she offered, before going to the wardrobe and pulling out an emerald-green dress that would match her eyes perfectly. Then she started to put it on, and I rose, telling her,

“Here, let me help you… I am supposed to be your lady’s maid after all.”

She waved a hand at me, despite letting me help her lace it and making me point out that it was definitely far easier to get on than dressing back in 1799.

“Oh, I have been looking after myself well enough for quite some time,” she stated, making me grin.

“Alright, then let me help you as a friend instead,” I said after leaning over her shoulder from behind.

“Nowthatyou can do,” she agreed, making me giggle.

“You know the last time we went back in time, you had to act like my lady’s maid, so this is like repaying the favour.” At this she chuckled.

“Sounds like we have been through a lot together.”

“Yeah, you, me, and Sophia are thick as thieves.”

She turned around and I wondered if it was prompted by the sadness she had heard in my tone when I had mentioned Sophia. But before she could ask, I told her,

“I am not used to her not liking me.”

She cocked her head to the side and gave me a sympathetic look.

“You know, we could tell her and…”

“No, absolutely not!” I argued, walking away and throwing my hand in the air, waving at her now her dress wasn’t falling down.

“Why not? You obviously trusted her enough before?” she asked as she tugged at the ties of her dress.

“Because she will just go straight to her brother and tell him. Then everything will be for nothing,” I argued.

“You don’t know that.”

“No, but I can’t chance it all the same,” I said, making her shoulders drop. “She doesn’t trust me, Pip.”

“Then give her a reason to,” she added, placing a hand at my shoulder once more.

“I want to. I do, Sophia and I, we are like sisters… Hell, wearesisters and not just because I married her brother,” I told her.

“Then I am sure you will know what is best but just remember… trust is only gained when it is first given.”

“So, you’ve always been wise then?” I teased, making her laugh.

“But of course, and more than those snobby snob snobs that fell from the right side of the mother tree.”

I laughed at that, and she did the same. After which, we didn’t have a chance to say much else as a gong was heard, signalling it was time for Pip to go down to dine.

And as for me…

I had Draven’s bedroom to break in to…Again.

“This isn’t a good idea, Keira,”I scolded myself this time.

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