Page 11 of Lost Starlight
How I wished things could have been as easy as they were back then, when I chased after her.
Chapter Four
Gwendolyn
Two Years Before Present Day
“My lady, the carriage is here.”
“Thank you!” I called from the stairs.I guess breakfast will have to wait,I thought to myself.
I had spent far too much of the night reading, and then I slept through most of the morning. My hair was tied back, just as usual, but it had a blue bow woven into the twist to match the color of my favorite dress.
My maid was so talented. It was the perfect style for a day when my hair was not as presentable as I wanted it to be.
I grabbed my shawl and nodded to the servant who openedthe door for me.
“Thank you, George,” I said with a smile.
He nodded.
There before me was the royal carriage. I’d seen it countless times, and yet it still was stunning to behold. It was an enchanting pearl-like color. How they got it to reflect just like the ocean treasures beneath the waves, I would never know. With the new book I’d chosen to read to the prince tucked under my arm, I walked to the carriage.
As I waited for the footman to open the door, it opened on its own accord, and there, all bent over in order to poke his head out, was Prince Peter. He was rather tall, so it seemed a struggle for him.
I stepped back, placing a hand on my heart in surprise.
“Good morning, Gwen!” Prince Peter shouted.
I turned to flee from fright and misstepped.
“Ah!” I shouted, covering my face with the book, closing my eyes, preparing for some pain as I fell to the gravel beneath me. Only, I did not feel any pain. Instead, I felt Prince Peter’s hands reach out and catch me. I took a few steadying breaths.
“I think it’s all right to come out from behind the book now. I have you, Gwen.” He did have me. His strong, warm hands held me tight against him. His warmth flowed into me, causing me to never want to leave his embrace. But I had to. It was entirely improper.
“Your Highness!” I said, pushing his hands away from my waist. “You—you—you cannot startlea woman like that!” I said, straightening my dress and feeling overly flustered as some of my hair fell across my cheek. My hair ribbon was probably askew.
“I take it you are not one for surprises?” he asked, and at least, he had the decency to look a bit bashful.
I walked over to him, picked up the book I had dropped in the kerfuffle, and frowned at him.
“No, I am not.”
“I apologize,LadyDarling,” he said, emphasizing theLadypart of my title while giving a rather impressive bow–a bow, the likes of which, coming from someone from his high station, should never have been given to me.
“I am all right. I do not like shouting,” I said, pressing the side of my face for a moment as if I were getting a headache like the one I would get when mother constantly shouted at me.
“I shall remember it,” he whispered, holding his arm out as if to escort me to the carriage, himself.
“I am not sure I should enter the carriage with you. What else do you have planned in order to frighten me? I fear my heart will not be able to take it.”
“Nothing is amiss inside. I only thought we could ride along the shoreline for a while. I have a favorite beach I thought you might like.”
I did enjoy an adventure–and the sea.
“I shall go, but no more surprises,” I scolded, taking his arm. The footman opened the carriage door, and Prince Peter helped me up.
I sat across from him, and he grinned.
