Page 27 of Seductive Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 2)

Chapter 8

“Hazel, you have barely stepped foot out of this chamber in the last two days,” chided Willow. “You can’t stay hidden away in here feeling sorry for yourself forever.”

“I’m not feeling sorry for myself.” Hazel clung to the bedpost like a lifeline and stared at the floor.

“Then what do you call it?” Willow dressed for supper, choosing a burgundy gown made of velvet. There were ruffles of lace on the bodice and at the bottom of the long tippets as well. Her handmaid, Clara, helped her. But most of the time, Willow dismissed the woman, not wanting a handmaid at all. The woman only seemed to get in her way. She and her cousins had always helped each other. None of them felt they needed a personal servant.

“I’m not feeling well, that’s all.” Hazel walked over to the window and peered out.

It about broke Willow’s heart that the girl was so glum. Conrad didn’t seem to notice. He kept busy practicing for the competitions that started on the morrow. Tonight was the festival of light. Lanterns and torches would be lit in the castle courtyard, outside the castle gate and even on the path leading through the woods. There would be a giant bonfire constructed just outside the castle for everyone to enjoy. Strolling musicians would play music, and the visitors would dance out in the elements as they drank wine, whisky, and ale.

Vendors from many towns would be here today as well as late into the evening. This was going to be a huge celebration and one she didn’t want to miss.

“How about if you and I choose what we’ll wear for the festival tonight?” Willow tried her best to cheer up Hazel. “Where are all your clothes?”

“I only brought with me what’s in my trunk.” Hazel pointed to a trunk in the corner that Willow forgot was even there.

“I’m sure we’ll find something in here that will make you feel beautiful.” She walked across the room and flipped open the lid.

“Nay, please don’t look at my things.”

The girl was even shyer than Willow had thought. Either that or she was embarrassed, and Willow could see why. As she dug through the gowns and shoes, everything was so ugly that Willow wouldn’t be caught dead wearing any of it. It only took a quick perusal of her things to realize this wasn’t going to work. “Where are all your good gowns? The ones you wear for dances and on special occasions? Did you leave them back at your castle?”

“You mean the manor house,” she said. “And no, I don’t go to dances or attend special occasions, so there is no need for me to have fine gowns like you have.”

“Conrad doesn’t have a castle?” This surprised her more than the fact that Conrad never bought his sister a beautiful gown. Willow had thought he’d have a castle and was disappointed to hear that he only had a small manor house after all.

“My family is not rich like you, Willow.”

“Oh,” she said, not knowing how it felt to be poor. She always had everything she needed living with the earl. Even when she was a child, her father made sure to spoil her.

“Those are all the gowns I have.”

Willow pitied Hazel. After all, every woman needed to have nice things. She had the feeling that Hazel had never known that and nor would she know it in this lifetime. Living with the earl, and being the granddaughter of a king, Willow had always been taken care of, even though her father was naught but the king’s bastard. Well, she decided, someone needed to take care of Hazel, too. She had no parents, and her only brother didn’t seem to watch over her half as much as he did Willow. She slammed down the lid and stood up, brushing off her hands.

“If you don’t have anything appropriate to wear to the festival tonight, then we’ll find you one of my gowns to wear instead. I think we probably wear the same size.”

Willow grabbed Hazel’s hand and pulled her to the adjoining wardrobe. It was a small room attached to her bedchamber where she kept her clothes and other personal items. After lighting a beeswax candle, she led Hazel inside.

“What’s this?” asked Hazel, stopping in the doorway and taking in her surroundings. “There are so many gowns and shoes that this must be where all the ladies of the castle keep their clothes.”

“Nay, these belong to just me.” Willow walked over and pushed a few of her hanging gowns aside, choosing one that was pretty, but not too ornate for the girl to wear. After all, Willow wanted to look the best at the festival. She didn’t want anyone to outshine her even though Hazel could never do that. “We’ll try this one,” she said, holding it up in the air to show the girl.

“That one?” Hazel reached out and touched it lightly. “It’s such a bright color.”

“It’s dark green,” Willow told her. “There’s nothing bright about it. Besides, you want everyone to notice you so this will help you stand out.”

“I’m not sure that my brother would approve of it. The bodice is so . . . low.”

“Nonsense. It’s not low at all.” Willow held the gown up in front of her to show Hazel. The bodice did show some cleavage but wasn’t nearly as low as many of her other gowns. “You’re just used to having a gown that is up to your neck, that’s all. I’m surprised you can breathe at all since your clothes look so restricting. Now believe me when I say it’ll get you noticed and make you feel pretty as well. Try it on.”

“I’m not sure,” said Hazel, her eyes fastened to the gown. Willow could see the way her eyes lit up with excitement and awe when she looked at it. She could also see that Hazel was afraid of what Conrad would say.

“I’ll make sure to talk to Conrad, so don’t worry about him. He’ll agree with it,” she tried to reassure her.

“Do you really think so?”

“There isn’t a man yet I haven’t been able to convince of anything. Aye, I’m sure.”

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