Page 36 of If The Crown Fits
We received our own chambers, and our servants and guards got rooms in the maids’ quarters.
“What have you discovered?” I found Jack in one of the empty hallways before dinner.
“She’s a closed book, I’m afraid, and there isn’t much on the cover. Her mother died after she was born, so she was raised by a nursemaid. She spends a lot of time outdoors, reading or horse-riding, and apparently she and her brother aren’t very close.”
“Well, that seems to correspond with what we’ve seen of her, at least in some ways,” I replied.
“I’ll see what else I can find out. I also sent Alastor after that head guard of hers. Rhen, I believe his name is. Something isn’t right there. I don’t trust him,” he whispered.
“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate your efforts.”
“My best advice would be to have you grow as close to her as possible. She might trust you.”
“I’m the son of one of her father’s biggest enemies — why on earth would she trust me?”
“The war between Norrandale and Everness has been cold for years. Your parents are only enemies because their forefathers were.”
“Still, the marriage could be a cover-up for something else.”
“I’m not disagreeing with you, my prince. All I’m saying is that you should try to befriend her. Apart from the fact that she’ssuspiciously good with self-defence and stealing small weapons, she’s not too bad.”
“Not too bad?” I chuckled. “That’s what you’re going with?”
“Hey, I’m just thanking the heavens she’s not my future wife.” He held up his hands in defence. “There’s something off about her that kind of scares the crap out of me.”
“Some friend you are.” I snorted.
“Like I said, I just get paid to protect you. So as long as she doesn’t try to kill you... again. She’s all your problem.”
We parted and I made my way to Eloisa’s chambers, a small box clutched tightly in my fist. I stopped in front of her door and took a deep breath before knocking.
The door was flung open. “I told you I would be down in a...” She stopped mid-sentence upon seeing that it was me standing at the threshold. I watched her cheeks fill with colour. “My apologies.” She took a step back, allowing me to enter the room. “I thought you were... well, never mind. Forgive me, Your Highness.”
“Please don’t call me that, I much prefer Cai.”
“Cai.” She tested the name on her lips and I felt a tug inside my stomach. Ignoring it, I stepped forwards, holding out my hand.
“I wanted to give you this.” I offered her the small box and she cautiously accepted it. “I was told you would be wearing red tonight.”
“Where did you get them?”
She carefully took out an earring and held it up. The rubies, embedded in gold, formed a raindrop of red. They dangled, glinting in the light from the window.
“I have my ways.” They were graciously given to me by the duchess, whom I promised to repay as soon as I could.
She smiled at me before turning around and facing the mirror to put them on. After turning her head side to side,she seemed satisfied enough. Eloisa proceeded to pick up her engagement gift from me. “Would you mind? I don’t think I can manage the clasp.” She held the necklace out to me. It felt strange to think that the last time I was holding it I had no idea who the woman was that would wear it.
“Of course,” I said and she turned, facing our reflection in the mirror.
I draped the necklace around her neck and fastened the clasp. I couldn’t help but notice the goosebumps form on her skin as my fingers touched her neck. I met her eyes in the mirror and they held an expression that I couldn’t quite read.
“Allow me to escort you?” I held out my arm and she placed her hand in the crook of my elbow. Despite the winding hallways and many staircases, we quickly found ourselves in the large dining hall of the Darwick Estate House.
“Your Highness.” The duke welcomed us with a bow, offering each of us a cup of wine. The taste of it was quite vile compared to Norrandish wine, but I managed a thankful smile at him.
“It really wasn’t necessary to have a feast for us.”
“It’s our honour, my prince,” he replied, but there was a peculiar look in his eyes that provoked a feeling of distrust in my gut.
