Page 68 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

She turned, pulling her hair to the side and waited for the girl to unbutton the back of her gown. There was a long silence, then she put aside the dress she held and went to work. Bella blew out a breath between her lips, grateful for Emmaline’s help.

Minutes later, she was dressed in the pale blue day dress. Her hair was tidied once again. Rather than her normal chignon, she pulled it back at the nape and tied it with a matching blue ribbon. She didn’t want to take the time to fuss with the elaborate hair style. She grabbed her bonnet, her gloves, and then slipped her feet into her shoes.

“Thank you, Em. I hope you know how much I appreciate you.”

“I do.” The girl chewed on her lower lip. “But are you certain you have to leave again?”

“Yes,” she said with conviction. “Send a note to Lord Vincent. Tell him I finished his translation. You can find it and his book in the library. I left it there on the desk.”

“Yes, miss.”

“I’ll be home by nightfall.”

And then she picked up the books and left, her heart pounding a wicked beat as she hurried down the stairs and out the front door without stopping for breakfast. She hoped the carriage was still there, waiting for her to arrive. If it wasn’t, she decided, she’d start walking. Determination pounded through her. She had to get there. She had to see Leopold.

She hoped she didn’t have to start walking.

At the edge of town, with her legs burning from her hurried exertion, she thought she spied the carriage with the familiar Thornhurst emblem of knotted thorns, vines, and blooms. Pushing herself to go faster, a jolt of relief spiked through her. It was truly there. There, standing beside it, was Dickens with a pinched look on his face as his dark eyes scanned the crowd.

She started to lift her hand in a wave when a sudden movement to her left caught her attention. A familiar voice called her name. She halted where she was, startled to see Lord Vincent headed right for her.

Oh, gods, what was he doing here in Driftbell? She was dismayed to see him there and that he had not returned to his palatial home in Port Leclare.

“Good morning,” he called, a smile plastered on his face as he greeted her.

She did not want to see him. She did not want to delay getting to Leopold. She cast a glance toward Dickens who had stiffened next to the carriage. His dark, baleful eyes under bushy brows observed with keen interest as Lord Vincent halted next to her.

“I’m delighted to see you here this morning,” he said, reaching for her gloved hand.

She didn’t want to be rude, so she allowed him to take it. A breath of a kiss passed over the back of it. Then she tugged it away and clutched the books to her chest.

“Lord Vincent, what a surprise. You stayed in town?” Her voice was breathless from her near sprint to get to town.

“I thought it most prudent since it was late when I left last night. Are you well? You look a bit flushed.”

“I’m fine, thanks, but I’m running late for an appointment. I must go.”

His gaze landed on the book in her arms. He nodded toward it. “At the bookshop?”

He mistakenly assumed her appointment was there. How was she going to get away from him? She kept her focus on him, watching as the morning sun played upon his features. She didn’t want to glance at Dickens and give away her next move.

Before she answered, he extended his arm to her. “I’ll escort you.”

He was determined to keep her close. A sense of urgency to get to Leopold pounded through her. She opened her mouth to reply, when Dickens was abruptly at her side.

“My lady, your carriage awaits.” When he spoke, he gave a low bow.

“Who’s this?” There was no mistaking the suspicion lacing Lord Vincent’s words.

“This is…” But her words trailed off, an explanation escaping her.

“Her servant, sir,” Dickens replied and gave Lord Vincent a bow. Then he turned to her and extended his hand to the carriage. “Shall we, my lady?”

Confusion etched on Lord Vincent’s face. She didn’t want to explain her situation. It was too much. She dipped a curtsy.

“Good day, Lord Vincent.”

Then she hurried toward the carriage waiting for her. Dickens fell in step behind her. As they approached, he moved around her to open the door. She climbed inside quickly, sitting back into the cushioned seat and expelling a breath, placing the books in her lap. Dickens followed, closing the door behind him and moments later they were off.

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