Page 42 of The Midnight Blizzard

I shook my head from side to side. “Nothing. I’m fine. I was just…looking for Jack.”

Stephen studied my face. “Why do you want to see him right now? Don’t you need to get ready for tonight?”

So, he didn’t know yet. “I withdrew my name from consideration,” I told him, trying my best to keep my voice level. “They said I wouldn’t be able to attend the ball.”

Stephen took a step back. “Why? Have I done something to offend you?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just…it’s complicated.”

“You miss your son?”

I sighed. I’d completely forgotten about our mix-up. “Idon’t have a son, Stephen. Kody is my dog’s name. It was all a misunderstanding.”

Stephen’s face worked as he tried to understand. “If you don’t want to leave, I can speak with my advisors. I can get you a special invitation.Idon’t want you to leave.”

“Stephen—PrinceStephen. You’re wonderful, but I…I don’t feel the same way about you.”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“We are, but I have feelings for someone else,” I admitted quietly. “I’m so sorry.”

Surprisingly, Stephen didn’t look upset. If anything, he seemed sympathetic. “It’s Jack, isn’t it?” he said with a small smile.

My stomach flipped. “Why do you ask?” I asked in a rush, my insides knotting with anxiety. Was the law already in effect to protect us if our secret romance was brought to light? Would Jack get into trouble if Stephen knew his advisor was flirting with one of the girls meant for the prince’s own choosing?

“I’ve never seen him so happy before. He’s usually very grouchy, you know. I can almost stand to be around him now.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. They were blue, but much darker and not nearly as vivid as Jack’s.

I stared at the floor, so well-polished that I could see my reflection in the glossy stone.

“Jack isn’t here right now,” Stephen said, reading my mind just as easily as if my thoughts were written across my forehead. “He left for some business in the next town over, but I know he planned to be at the ball tonight. I know he’d want to see you.”

The corner of my mouth quirked up. “I suppose I could try to make it if I don’t get run out.”

“Please do,” Stephen said. “I want you there, too. I’ll make all the arrangements. You won’t need to leave.”

Assured that I would indeed be able to stay at least for the ball, I returned to the suite where I had been staying, only to furrow my brow at what I saw. Maids were bustling in and out of the room, carrying armloads of bedding.

“What’s going on?”

One of the youngest of the maids caught my eye and blushed, mouth flapping open and closed like a fish out of water.

“Oh, I’m sorry, miss, but we were told you left.”

“There was a slight change of plans.” I poked my head inside to examine the stripped room. “Where are my things?”

“Your sister and mother told us that you wanted them shipped to Frostwood Estate immediately. Your bag left half an hour ago.”

My mouth hung open. “But…the ball,” I squeaked.

“I’m sure you could borrow a dress from one of your sisters,” the youngest maid piped up. “My sisters let me borrow their clothes all the time.”

A pained smile stretched my features. “We don’t have that sort of relationship. Can I just have my room back?”

“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” came a wheezy voice from behind me. Octavius shuffled the ream of parchment he always held, then wiped his pointed nose, smudging an ink stain across it. He looked more like a rat than ever.

“Why not?”

“According to the documentation your stepmother provided me, although you are the late Lord Cedric Frost’s daughter, you have no claim to his estate and are therefore title-less and unable to be given the same rights and privileges as those girls who are here at the crown’s invitation.”

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