Page 36 of Charmless
Istumbled out of Quad Hall into the main courtyard before I even realized where I was. The majordomo’s persuasive voice continued to whisper through my mind.
“You could make such a difference in the kind of king Florian will become. The power would lie entirely in your hands. Think about it.”
I did not want to think about it. I shook my head, clearing away the cobwebs the majordomo seemed to have spun through my mind. It was as though the man was some pale little spider seeking to entangle me in his web. A ridiculous image and as I breathed in the fresh air and felt the sunlight warming my skin, the more absurd it seemed.
There was nothing sinister about the majordomo and his attempt to convince me to marry the prince. The servant’s motives were either inspired by his loyalty to the royal family or something more self-interested. If the king was as close to death as the majordomo claimed, the servant would need to curry favor with the heir apparent. How better to do so than by winning me for the prince’s bride?
It was bad enough that I felt guilty for not securing my family’s future. Now the majordomo wanted to place the fate ofthe entire kingdom upon my shoulders. I would not stand for it. Selfish I might be, but I refused to be coaxed or coerced into sacrificing all hope of finding happiness with Horatio.
Horatio! I crossed beneath the front gate before I realized. I had been so consumed by the agitated thoughts the majordomo had put into my head, I had completely forgotten my original purpose for going to Quad Hall, to find Horatio and steal a few moments in his arms.
I half-turned to go back when I was pounced upon by the Vanderwix girls.
“Ella!” Priscilla emitted one of her ear-splitting squeals. “Here you are at last.”
“We have all been waiting for you forever,” Ardelia added with a disapproving sniff.
“Waiting for me for what?”
“For the concert in your honor.” Priscilla giggled.
“What are you talking about?” I faltered as I noticed the sea of people stretching before me. When I had passed through the square earlier, the place had been nearly empty. Now it was thronged with Midtown folk, merchants, housewives, and laborers, rubbing elbows with more elegantly attired people from the Heights.
Word of my arrival spread quickly, many heads turning in my directions, whispers being exchanged behind hands. I had a very bad feeling about all this as people nearest me began to step back, opening a path, everyone smiling and nodding, some even dipping into obsequious curtsies and bows.
I stood frozen or tried to, but the Vanderwix girls propelled me forward until I arrived within view of the fountain. Four musicians had set up to play, two lutes, a fife and violin, poised in readiness. My heart sank when I saw Prince Florian pacing impatiently in front of the quartet.
I tried to dig in my heels, but it was too late. Florian spotted me and his brow cleared as he flashed me his blinding smile.
He raised his hands in a gesture to silence the crowd before announcing, “My true love has honored me with her presence at last. Now we may commence.”
Striding toward me, he seized my hand and dragged me to the front of the crowd.
“Your Highness, what is all this?” I asked.
“This is the day that I finally win your heart.”
He shook back his long blonde hair and leapt up, balancing himself on the rim of the fountain. Standing in the shadow of his stone likeness, he beamed down at me. He signaled the musicians to strike up a tune and then drew in a deep breath.
Oh no, I thought, horrified. Please, please don't let him be about to sing to me. But apparently, I was not born under a wishing star, because my fervent prayers were never answered. I cringed as Florian began to belt out an old love ballad.
“Oh, my beloved. Come into my arms and reward my steadfast heart.”
My cheeks flamed bright red. Florian's efforts to woo me with poetry had been embarrassing enough, but this serenade made me want to melt into the paving stones.
I had congratulated myself upon my clever plan to avoid Florian in the marketplace, but the prince had outmaneuvered me. It had to have taken him some time to arrange all this, to have gathered such an audience for his latest spectacle. But how did he contrive to make sure I would be present or even know where I was?
Could the prince have someone spying upon me? The thought was deeply disturbing, but something for me to worry about later. Right now, I needed a way to escape. I took a step back but was surrounded by a crowd of young women looking enraptured, although I could not understand why.
Florian’s voice was adequate, hitting all the right notes. I might even have considered his singing pleasant if I had not once been wooed in similar fashion by the prince's younger brother, Ryland.
I did not wish to remember, but my mind turned unwillingly back to that day I had first seen Ryland performing in the square. He had been attired in his humble disguise as Harper, a strolling minstrel, with only his lute to accompany him. But he wouldn’t have even needed that. The magic was in Ryland's voice, golden tones that the fairies would have envied him. His singing had vibrated with passion, stirring the soul, and stealing my heart. Ryland's eyes had met mine across the square, sweeping us both into a magical world where his song was for me alone.
I was surprised when the memory caused a lump to form in my throat. I believed myself long over any feelings I had ever entertained for Ryland. But my eyes stung with tears for the trusting girl I had once been, with her dreams of a love that had proved as ephemeral as mist.
I wiped the moisture from my eyes, an unfortunate gesture because Florian noticed. A look of triumph stole over his face, and he sang with more verve. Some of the young ladies near me, including Priscilla, looked ready to swoon.
I hoped she would not because of the Scutcheons threading through the crowd. The garrison soldiers must have been assigned to keep order and protect the prince from any dire threats such as fainting ladies.
