Page 24 of A Foreign Crown
“Yes, he’s been exceptionally kind to me.” Prince Layton’s words seemed to put Her Majesty more at ease.
“I’m pleased to hear it,” she said.
“I as well. We should chastise him otherwise.” Princess Mary pouted. “Now, what day shall our visit be? When are we at Windsor next, Mama?”
The Queen tapped her fan. “We shall linger here at the house for a few days more, then travel to Windsor after; of course, our plans are never certain. We shall send a note and summon you, naturally.”
“And you’re always welcome at the house,” Princess Elizabeth at last chimed in. Aribella couldn’t tell if she was shy or uninterested, for she’d said little up to this point.
“And we share the lovely park, though we promenade so infrequently.” Princess Mary’s pout extended much farther than Aribella thought a grown woman’s should, but she kept her own face blank.
Princess Mary lowered her voice but not enough, because her whisper carried down to Aribella at least, and probably others. “We could have a clandestine meeting, in between our houses...”
Aribella snorted and then looked away as though she hadn’t heard.
“Mary!” The Queen’s tone was as appalled as Aribella knew it would be.
“Mother, I am just having a bit of fun.” Mary looked away.
The prince turned to the Queen and then back to the princess. “I should love to spend time with you in the park, perhaps in the courtyards of the palace. We could all promenade together—your sister and Lady Aribella and the others? Do the other ladies-in-waiting participate in lawn games?”
The Queen nodded approvingly. “I should gladly allow you some time if Lady Aribella is present.”
Aribella groaned in silence but nodded her acquiescence.
Princess Mary clapped. “It is decided, then. Let us meet tomorrow.”
The conversation continued in the same vein, with Princess Mary demanding attention in a childish manner and over-celebrating when she received any or the promise of any. Aribella was about ready to feign a headache when at last the music started, and Prince George declared they would take time for a few country dances.
Before Princess Mary could say anything at all, the Queen shook her head, and the five remained in as dull a conversation as they ever had up to that point.
The other of the Queen’s ladies were out on the floor immediately, and Aribella wished to dance as well. Prince George took to the floor with a dance partner and began the most riotous country dance Aribella had ever witnessed.
Partway through, the Queen stood, the King with her, and everyone in the room paused. The master of ceremonies called out, “Their Majesties and Princesses Elizabeth and Mary wish to say goodnight.”
Everyone in the great hall bowed or curtsied deeply.
Prince Layton bowed smartly to the King, who only responded with a curt nod, and then took the hands of the women as they passed by. The prince held Aribella’s longer than the rest, enough that she paused to search his face.
She looked into earnest chestnut-brown eyes and could have lingered. She longed for the freedom to stay with him, to dance, to walk, to share... but she could feel the impatience of Lady Mallory as she waited from the dance floor to join the procession, so Aribella allowed only a small smile and then hurried after Princess Mary, who was now several steps ahead.
Aribella tried not to turn to look for Prince Layton while the royal entourage left the room, the reluctant ladies-in-waiting trailing behind, but as she was about to leave the hall, her head involuntarily turned, and she caught him peering right at her. She nodded with another small smile and turned forward once more.
She ended up toward the rear of their party and had to hear Lady Smithing complain about the awful timing of the royal departure and the opportunities the ladies would miss with the men they’d been getting to know—and on and on. Aribella stopped listening after a few seconds.
In the carriage on the way back to the Queen’s home, Aribella wondered how her mother had been able to endure this life for the full four months every year she’d been honored with the request. Aribella had been there several days, and she was exhausted to the point of irritability. She tried not to be, but the fatigue was taking over, and as she thought over dinner and the Queen and Princess Mary’s fawning over Prince Layton, an unfathomable jealousy of the princesses twisted her normal good temper into something that had best never be seen. It made her sick to her stomach. She sat in silence, afraid of what might leave her mouth, hoping nothing more would be needed of her.
But her hopes were dashed when the Queen said, “Lady Aribella, if you could follow me to my chambers before you turn to yours, I wish to discuss some wardrobe issues with you before saying goodnight.”
“Certainly.” On another day, or last week in the quiet of her own estate, she would have been pleased at even the notion of discussing the Queen’s clothing choices with her in her private chamber. But now all she wanted was either the depth of her large bed or a long walk in the chilled night air to clear her head.
As soon as they entered the Queen’s bedchamber, Her Majesty dismissed all the servants in the room, and when the doors were shut, she clutched Aribella’s hands. “I didn’t know if he would make it through the evening.”
“Your Majesty, who? Are you well?”
A loud moaning sounded from behind a door at the back of the room.
The Queen’s face was white, and her gaze skirted about the room in a partially crazed fashion. “We must not alarm the girls more than necessary, but I had to tell someone I can trust.” She squeezed Aribella’s hands desperately. “You mustn’t breathe a word.”
