Page 105 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1
Bella catches sight of my face in the mirror and lets out a surprised puff of air. "So I'm guessing you're not particularly experienced?"
"That would be one way of saying it."
"And what would be another way of saying it?" she prompts, pulling out a pin so she can reset it.
"I have no idea about any of...that." I wave my hand vaguely back in the direction of the other room.
"You seemed to be doing just fine from where I was standing," she jokes.
"It was fairly self-explanatory."
She chuckles. "It is. Just focus on what feels good for you, ask him what he likes, and put things wherever you can think of putting them."
"I see."
"Don't overthink it, Beatrice," she advises me. "Just try to make sure you're in here next time and not somewhere we all have to socialise."
"It really was unintentional," I promise.
"I know. But still. Unless you want an audience, try to keep yourself under control when other people could be around."
"I'll do my best."
"You'd better. All right, your hair is saved. If anyone asks you what happened to it, say you walked into a tree," she suggests.
"I walked into a tree?"
"Would you rather tell them that you had the Prince's hand up your dress?" she asks.
"Well, no."
"Then the tree it is," she responds, stepping back and heading towards the door.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"What was your first husband's name?" It's a risk to ask, especially when she's spent so long refusing to talk about him. But I think she'll tell me this time.
"Jeremiah," she whispers.
"What happened to him?"
"The same thing that happens to a lot of people at court. He died." A haunted tone enters her voice. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"We don't have to," I say quickly, not wanting to push her too far and ruin the chance of the two of us growing closer, especially if she's going to be one of my ladies-in-waiting.
"And we should really get back to the ballroom. Uncle Gerard was asking where you were. Though maybe if I tell him where you were and who you were with, he won't care very much."
"Even if I'm missing part of the wedding banquet?" I ask curiously. I don't think we've been gone that long.
I get up and give Pip a goodbye scratch. She lets out a happy rumble and leans into my touch, making me feel a little guilty for abandoning her. Though I'll be back soon enough.
Bella shrugs and holds the door open for me. "Now Bastian's married, there'll be two things on Uncle Gerard's mind. The first will be making sure Lady Ermintrude stays alive long enough to absorb House Tufflion into House Rothorne, and the other will be making sure that your wedding to the Prince goes to plan. And considering what I saw, it's proof that Uncle Gerard isn't going to have to drag you down the aisle. He'll be pleased with that."
"Oh." It's an interesting way of looking at it even if it is a little bit uncomfortable.
"As it stands, I won't tell him. He just wanted to make sure you're in the ballroom for the celebrations. You'll be able to see your prince soon enough."
