Page 37 of If The Crown Fits
“Eloisa!”
Her grip tightened on my arm at the sound of her name and we both turned to spot the duchess approaching us.
“I haven’t seen you since you were a child. Your mother and I were very close, you know?” Which was probably why she spoke to Eloisa with such familiarity despite the fact that Eloisa had a completely blank look on her face.
“My! You’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman!”
“Thank you,” Eloisa responded, her voice higher than before. She was already taking a step back, pulling me with her, but the duchess was not finished with her conversation.
“You know, I have to say, I was surprised at the announcement of your union with the Prince of Norrandale.” She gave me a look up and down. “But seeing the two of you together now, there cannot be a more beautiful couple in the kingdom. Say, do you have dates in mind for the wedding?” No doubt she was hoping to get an invitation.
“Cai has only just arrived in Everness, so we haven’t had a chance to discuss anything with my family.”
“And such an unfortunate arrival. King Magnus really ought to do something about those bandits and rid us of them once and for all.” Eloisa tensed up next to me. “I mean his own daughter could have gotten killed today. I’m so glad you two are safe.”
“Yes, your hospitality has been most kind.” I answered before Eloisa could say anything. “But I’m afraid we must move on now as there are a few more important people we must see. Or perhaps we will just be looking for a hidden alcove where I can kiss my fiancée.” Without waiting for a response from her flabbergasted face, I grabbed Eloisa’s hand and pulled her away.
“Are you mad?” She hit my arm, but didn’t let go of my hand until we reached the other side of the room. “You can’t say things like that.”
I let out a laugh. “It was a joke. And if she doesn’t have a sense of humour, it most certainly isn’t me who is at fault.”
She shook her head in what must have been disbelief, but gave me a grin that appeared to be sincere.
The large dining hall of the Duke of Darwick had been filled with guests and food as far as the eye could see. I was surprised by how quickly he’d managed to pull together such a large party. When the orchestra started playing a new song, I held out my hand to Eloisa. “Shall we?”
She appeared hesitant. “I’m afraid I’m not a very good dancer.”
I would admit that I was slightly disappointed, but I understood. She was a princess, after all. She didn’t have the luxury of embarrassing herself in front of people. Though she must have been the first lady I’d ever met who didn’t want to dance. Most of them received lessons soon after they could walk. It was a highly admired skill. But perhaps things were different in Everness. Or perhaps no amount of lessons could teach their princess to dance. I smiled at the thought of this small flaw.
“Very well, then you owe me one. How about we get another cup of something to drink?”
Relief washed over her face and she nodded.
“There must be something you’re not good at,” she remarked on our way to one of the servants holding a tray full of wine cups.
“I can’t whistle,” I offered and she started giggling. It was a pleasant sound.
“I’m serious,” she replied.
“So am I.” I took two cups of wine, handing her one. “If I were in a situation where my life depended on whistling, I would surely be a dead man.”
“I doubt you’d ever come into such a situation, though. Perhaps we shall have to find someone who can do it for you.”
“You mean someone who follows me around everywhere and whistles at my command?”
“Yes, he shall be the royal whistler. A most esteemed job.”
I laughed then and we took a seat at one of the long tables that stretched across the room. “Is there anything else I ought to know about, that you are positively atrocious at?”
“You shall have to wait and see.” She crossed her arms, leaning back into the chair. She only held this position for a moment, before suddenly pulling herself up pin-straight as if she had forgotten she was a lady. She met my eyes withan unreadable expression, but I acted nonchalantly. She was certainly unlike any princess I had met before.
We drank and we ate and then we drank some more, and Eloisa clung to my arm for most of the night as we were introduced to the guests, moving from one lord, duke or duchess to another.
“You want to know something?” Eloisa said later in the evening as she was leaning against one of the walls of the dining hall.
“What?” I asked, finishing another cup of wine and realising I’d lost count of how many cups I’d had. Eloisa let out a hiccup and placed her hands over her mouth, eyes wide before bursting out with a laugh. Apparently I wasn’t the only one.
“I think that you walk around with those broad shoulders and pretend you’re a soldier, always ready to fight but in here—” She placed a finger on my chest. “In here is another person who you won’t show to the world because you’re afraid of what they might think.”
