Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You speak in jest, but that is the attitude you are required to have among them. You must look them in the eye and say, Who dares? It is the only way we can survive until a new scandal or story takes their attention.”
I inhaled slowly, nodding, for she was not wrong. “That might work with the rest of society, but what do I do about her parents? These Du Bells, their family is among the closest I’ve ever seen. They will not be pleased with me, prince or not.”
“They will come to like you in time, so long as you behave yourself and show sincerity to their daughter. The more you love Lady Hathor, the more they will come to love you.”
So, that was it?
It was settled.
Hathor and I were to be engaged.
The thought stirred a feeling in me I did not wish to dwell on. And so my thoughts went to Hathor. I was sure she would not desire to be engaged so…formally. She yearned for romance, and I’d offered nothing but a boat ride.
If I was going to do this, I needed to do something for her, something so magnificent that not even poets or playwrights could muster it. Something she’d want to draw in her book. But I did not have the slightest idea of what to do. I had no past experience in such matters.
God, what a very long day this was.
Hathor
“Apparently, he is a prince in name only. He was banished for his wild nature and predisposition to violence. As we have all seen,” Amity said to the group of ladies gathered around her as though she were the most knowledgeable person in the world, instead of the most ignorant.
I took a step toward them when an arm wrapped around mine and held me still. When I turned to look, it was Silva, my brother beside her.
“You and I both know no good will come of you confronting them,” she said, forcing me to keep my back turned on the gossiping ladies. “It is better to simply ignore it.”
I could not help but frown. “They are slandering him unjustly.”
“And what is it to you? Did you not tell me you disliked him? That he was horrid?” Damon whispered back to me. “Clearly, you were correct in your assessment, and no one would fault you for not marrying him now.”
“You, brother, of all people, should recall how easily one’s reputation can be tarnished. I believe they used to call you much worse. And it speaks poorly of you to join them in their gossip now. You know nothing of him!”
He gasped. “What in heaven’s name has gotten into you? I have barely said anything to anyone, and yet you snap at me? It was you who was—”
“My dear,” Silva gently interrupted him, giving him a look. He huffed and shook his head as he walked away from us.
I clamped my mouth shut and just glanced around the room, ignoring him. Watching as all the ladies and gentlemen fluttered about from one group to another, discussing what had transpired this afternoon.
“Hathor?”
“Hmm?”
“Come, why don’t we step out into the gardens and take in the air?” Silva said, leading me away from my brother and everyone else in the hall. We walked from the double doors out onto the balcony. Detaching myself from her, I moved to the very edge and rested my hands on the ledge, taking a deep breath.
“So. When did you realize you liked Prince Wilhelm?” Silva asked as she came up beside me.
“Would you think me mad if I said this morning?”
She giggled, shaking her head. “No, I myself was in a similar position with your brother, if you recall.”
Yes, I did. They’d hated each other when they first met. Damon said she was dull and pesky, while she’d called him an overindulgent man-child. I believed she was quite correct, but apparently love was blinding.
“One moment, I was throwing a book at his head; the next, we were married.” She laughed at that. “I soon came to the realization that some couples fall lovingly into each other’s arms, and others battle until they collapse into each other.”
“I would have preferred the first option.” My parents, my sister, Verity, it was like they were all immediately drawn to their other halves.
“No, you would not have, for you crave a good sparring partner.”
“I do not!”
“Why do you think Abena taunts you so? It is because you are the only one who bothers to truly tease her back. Everyone else brushes her off for the child she is. But you chase after her, throw pillows and shoes as if she were your friend, or better yet, as if you were hers. And you let no one, not your parents, siblings, friends, or even the most esteemed ladies of society, go unrebuked for any slight.”