Page 46 of Legacy of Glass
Kasper’s eyebrows rose. “I can well imagine what sort of reception you would have received the morning after the ball. I’m surprised I didn’t hear anything about it, though.”
“I went to the back door in the wall,” Olivia admitted. “It was answered by a gardener’s apprentice. He told me more than he probably should have.”
“Ah.” The knowing amusement in Kasper’s face and voice made Olivia flush again. She hadn’t purposely flirted with the lad to encourage his confidences, but she knew he had been impressed by her.
“Hopefully the rumor hasn’t reached anyone else, then,” Kasper said thoughtfully. “Father had a stern talk with the servants the day after the ball. Anyone who spreads word of what really happened will lose their positions. I don’t think any of them will talk now. He’s spent time cultivating loyal servants—although apparently he should spend some more time on the outside staff.”
He ended on a wry note, but Olivia had the impression he wasn’t likely to report the lad to his father. She hoped he didn’t since she didn’t want to be the cause of the boy losing his position.
“So what do you think could have happened to Marigold?” Olivia asked, returning to the central issue. She clutched her skirts in an effort not to wring her hands together. “I’m worried she’s been abducted. It was my first thought when she didn’t turn up at the ball, but I let my initial shock and anger distract me.” And Julius. But she didn’t add that part out loud.
The prince had been the one to convince her away from that line of thinking at the ball. And as far as she knew, he still didn’t suspect foul play, so she was going to have to raise the issue with him again. If Marigold’s family weren’t looking for her, then Olivia and Julius needed to do so in their stead.
“Have your parents done anything to look for her?” she asked Kasper, still hopeful it wouldn’t be left to her.
He grimaced. “Nothing substantial. My father talks as if he’s ready to wash his hands of her, but I know he doesn’t really mean it. He’s just worried that word will get out about what she did. Mother has begun some discreet inquiries, though.”
“Does your mother think she might have been abducted?” Olivia asked hopefully. Marigold’s family had nearly as much influence as the crown, so if they were searching after all, she wouldn’t be needed.
“No, she’s only looking in places where she thinks Marigold might have hidden herself.” Kasper gave a heavy sigh. “My sister has run away twice before, you know, so they’re not entirely unjustified in their assumption.” He seemed to be pleading with Olivia not to think too badly of his family. “I can suggest the possibility of abduction to my mother, but I suspect she’ll discount it immediately. I don’t think she believes that anyone would dare cross Father in such a way.”
He straightened. “But you shouldn’t be worrying about my family’s business. You have enough to deal with on your own behalf. If you would be willing to keep the truth to yourself, you will have done as much as my family can expect of you.”
He offered his arm again with a gallant smile that didn’t reach the strain around his eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a tour in Julius’s place?”
Olivia shook her head. “I would prefer to return to my rooms, if you know the way.” She already had plenty to think about before her afternoon lessons.
* * *
Julius had lived up to his word. The footman who brought the tray with her evening meal informed Olivia that she would once again be released from lessons the following morning.
Eager for some time away from the palace, she rose early and dressed herself for a trip into the city. If she asked for a horse or carriage, the palace staff would surely oblige. But it would take time and would lead to inevitable fussing. She preferred to walk. It wasn’t far.
As she approached the smallest of the palace gates, sudden doubts seized her. What if the guards tried to prevent her from leaving? But the two men on duty merely bowed and opened the door to usher her through.
Stepping onto the street, she felt a weight lift from her. And stretching her legs felt almost as good as the release from pressure. She took a meandering route that led her to the hill at the back of Manor Row instead of to the front of her uncle’s manor. As she walked over the grass, she watched for Mildred, but there was no sign of the mouse.
Olivia’s worry for the creature spiked, but the mouse was often busy foraging in the early mornings, so she headed for her aunt and uncle’s house instead of searching for Mildred immediately. The door in the back wall was already unlatched, thanks to the early work of the gardeners, and she slipped inside without trouble.
But her quiet entry was foiled by the head gardener who immediately spotted her. He called out in welcome, and the gardeners converged on her. Several of the inside servants trailed further behind—all of them smiling and bowing and calling her Lady Olivia.
Olivia tried to respond with equal good cheer, ignoring her discomfort. She had always occupied a strange role in the household—viewed as a family member by the staff, despite her work. She had taken her meals with her aunt, uncle, and cousins and stayed in a guest room, so she didn’t know the other servants particularly well.
She had always shared a fellow feeling with them, however, and they had treated her as a strange sort of aberration—a servant when she was with them and a guest when she was with a member of her family. Apparently, they viewed her as one of the household either way and were overcome with delight at one of their own being chosen by the prince. From their comments, she gathered her new position had already elevated her family’s status in the capital and their staff along with them.
Finally, Hattie appeared and waded through the small crowd to extract Olivia.
“You’ve come!” She grabbed hold of Olivia’s wrist and pulled her toward the house. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“Sorry,” Olivia said, immediately feeling guilty. She should have thought to write ahead and inform her family of her coming.
But, wait. Why should she write, as if she were a friend coming over for tea? The manor had been her home for a year and was her true home still. Her stay in the palace was merely temporary—she hoped.
Thankfully, Hattie kept up a stream of bright chatter, informing Olivia that Uncle Walt had already left on his usual business activities and that Nell had gone shopping with Aunt Helen. While Olivia would have enjoyed seeing her family, she was grateful for their absence on this occasion.
She had visited to retrieve the last of her belongings, not to socialize, and since she had other errands to complete as well, she preferred to keep the visit brief.
“Is it amazing at the palace?” Hattie asked breathlessly once they were inside the manor. “Do you have a whole suite to yourself?” She gazed wide-eyed at Olivia until Olivia nodded and then immediately continued talking. “But of course you would. You’re basically the crown princess!” She gave a squeal at the thought, making Olivia wince.
