Page 22 of Slippers and Thorns
“No.”
“Trust me,” Katy had assured her. “Convince Michael you want to learn how to shoot.”
It had seemed silly to Ella then, and it still seemed silly now. She supposed it would be an excuse to spend time together – assuming they could carve out the time – but why archery and not some other activity? Why not scheduled horseback rides or garden walks?
She was desperate to have more time with Michael, though, so she decided it was worth a try. After all, Michael liked to hunt and enjoyed his time in the practice yards – perhaps if she were learning a weapon, it would provide the excuse she needed to join him.
Dinner was a quiet affair. King Phillip had decreed one night a week as a family-only dinner, so they were tucked away in a private dining room, seated around a relatively small table. Queen Elaine quietly sipped her soup, and Michael’s younger sister Anne was meek as ever. Justin, their teenage brother, could often be relied upon to liven things up, but he had recently become enamored of a young lady at court and was busy practicing his listless love routine. Michael had arrived late, and after a brief greeting to Ella and a short discussion with his father regarding the meeting he had just attended, he lapsed into silence as he sought to catch up on the food.
After the dishes were cleared and servants set out the dessert plates, Ella worked up the nerve to pursue Katy’s suggestion. Clearing her throat, she said softly, “Michael?”
He set his fork down, causing a light clink as it touched his plate. “Yes?” he replied, smiling at her.
She turned her own fork over in her hand. “I was hoping…that is…I would like to learn archery. Would you teach me?”
“Archery?” King Phillip interrupted. “Why do you desire to learn that?”
Ella turned to look at him. “Princess Katrin suggested it. She seemed to think—I mean, I would like something more active than embroidery in which I can participate. And I thought perhaps I could join Michael when he is practicing.” She allowed her eyes to skate over to him briefly. He raised an eyebrow but otherwise didn’t react.
King Phillip rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “Princess Katrin, eh? She’s a bit unusual, given her background. Still, I suppose archery would be an acceptable pursuit for a princess.” He glanced at his oldest son before returning his gaze to his daughter-in-law. “Yes, I believe that is permissible. Michael, you will instruct her?”
Frowning slightly, Michael retrieved his fork, took a bite of his cake, and chewed slowly while he considered. “I am not certain I am suited to teaching a beginner,” he finally stated. “Even if I were skilled as a teacher, it takes a great deal of time to practice the form before the student can be left to practice alone. And time is something I have been rather short of lately.”
Ella drooped slightly. If Michael couldn’t take the time to teach her archery, what good was it supposed to do?
“Reschedule a few things,” King Phillip commanded. “Make the time. Arabella wishes to learn, and you will teach her.”
Michael sighed. “Yes, Father.”
Ella strode down the hall in one of her split-leg riding outfits. Although she generally preferred blue because of the way it set off her eyes, today she had chosen a rich, dark forest green that she liked almost as much as the blues.
She would be riding sidesaddle, of course, so the special outfit wasn’t strictly necessary, but just because she couldn’t take full advantage of the dress’s properties didn’t mean she couldn’t still enjoy the freedom of it. It wouldn’t do to wear the gown all the time, but it was flowing enough to get away with it directly before and after her rides. Besides, if they traveled far enough from civilization, she might switch to riding astride. There wouldn’t be a mounting block to switch back to sidesaddle before they returned, but she knew Charlie would help her mount – he’d done it many times before.
“Arabella!” she heard someone exclaim from behind her. Turning, she found Michael’s younger brother hurrying towards her. “Just who I need!”
“Good morning, Justin,” Arabella greeted. “Aren’t you supposed to be in lessons right now?”
Justin ran a hand through his tousled dark brown hair. “Technically,” he grinned without a trace of embarrassment. “But my tutor is a little preoccupied at the moment helping Anne’s governess catch a snake that somehow found its way into their classroom.”
“Oh, Justin,” Ella sighed with exasperation. “Aren’t you a little old for playing that sort of trick?”
Justin just grinned again, his brown eyes shining. “Never, if I can help it. I plan to never be as serious as my brother.”
“So why are you playing hooky?” Ella asked wearily.
“So glad you asked,” he replied. “Lady Lucinda is here today, and I want to see her, but she’ll probably be gone by the time Hudson is finished with me. Unfortunately, she’s in the salon with a bunch of other members of the court, including her grandmother,” he shuddered for effect, “so I can’t go in there.”
Ella pretended to purse her lips, although she wanted to smile. “That is unfortunate. I suppose you’ll just have to return to your lessons, then.”
“No, no!” Justin protested, holding his hands out. “That’s where you come in!”
“Me?” Ella asked in surprise. “What do I have to do with anything?”
“You can go in and convince her to come out to see me,” he explained. “Casually, of course – if her grandmother realizes I’m not where I’m supposed to be, she’ll tattle to Father. After she gives me thelook.”
Ella was caught between snorting and being horrified. His fear of Lady Lucinda’s guardian was amusing, if understandable. But what he was asking of her… “You want me to walk into a room of courtiers? By myself?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Justin asked, confused.
