Page 48 of Slippers and Thorns
Justin gave a weak grin when Michael looked at him. “I’m not completely useless, you know. I’m glad to do my bit to lighten your load.”
“But—why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Michael asked helplessly.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” King Phillip replied with a slight smile. “I planned to tell you at lunch, actually, but neither of you made an appearance.” He raised a bushy eyebrow and questioned them with his eyes. Ella fought the urge to sink in her seat. She could feel her cheeks heating as she recalled with embarrassing detail the circumstances surrounding their absence. Especially when she realized his eyes were twinkling.
“What about Lord Percival’s wedding?” Ella asked. She didn’t have any interest in going, but remembering lunch brought the detail to mind. Maybe it would delay Michael. “Won’t he be offended if we do not attend?”
King Phillip waved away her concern. “Another task which Justin will complete for you. Anne will accompany him, so Lord Percival will still have two royal guests.”
Michael opened his mouth and then closed it again. Apparently, such an upset to his precious schedules had also upset his mental balance, because now that his initial outbursts were past, he seemed to be speechless.
“Will anyone be traveling with us?” Ella ventured.
“Guards, of course,” the king replied. “A few servants, but most of the required staff is already at the castle. None of the court, though, and none of the family. This is to be a special vacation for the two of you.” The last few words were weighted.
Still, Ella couldn’t resist asking. “Since there will be no guests, might I request—”
“No, the number of servants will be adequate, Arabella,” the king cut her off, anticipating her question. “It is my intention that you and Michael have this opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, so you willnotbe helping clean the castle. You will have to find other ways to occupy yourself. Since Michael will have thetime,” he stressed, “perhaps he can finally teach you the bow.”
Even though she had explained herself to Michael, Ella felt the familiar twinge of horror at the mention of archery lessons. When she glanced at Michael, however, he wore a thoughtful look that verged on calculating rather than irritated.
“Of course,” she replied, bending her head in a slight bow. Not having cleaning as a way to avoid Michael would be unfortunate, but she could manage.
When the meal finally ended, Michael held out his arm to her once again. Since they were in front of the king – who had just clearly expressed his desire for an improvement in their relationship – Ella took it without hesitation. Even though she still wanted to blatantly ignore it.
As they walked, Michael casually mentioned, “I’ve noticed a certain order to my things lately that they usually lack.” Ella said nothing, refusing to take the bait. “Were you planning to come by again tonight?”
“Who says I have anything to do with it?” she answered.
Michael gave her an unimpressed look. “The most any maid has done with my bookshelf is set all the books upright. No one else has ever taken the time to alphabetize them.”
That had been the point, of course – he was supposed to know it was her. Yesterday, she would have been overjoyed to be having this conversation, assuming it was going where she thought it was. But today…today she wanted nothing more than to avoid it. “We’re leaving in the morning. I should pack my things.”
“The servants will handle that,” he said. “As they will mine.”
“Well…I wouldn’t want to get in their way,” she tried. “The last thing they need when packing last-minute is me wandering around in the middle of it all, putting things back.”
Michael grinned slyly. “Whoever said the reason I wanted you to come tonight was so that you could organize my things? I do suddenly find myself with a free evening.”
And there it was. “In that case, I believe I would be even more in the way.”
“It hasn’t cooled off too much,” Michael coaxed, resting his free hand over hers where it sat on his arm. “We could try the gardens again.” He stopped walking and leaned closer, his voice low and his smile mischievous. “Unless there’s someplace else you’d rather go.”
Ella took a step back. “Just my room, please. Alone!” she squeaked when his grin grew and he closed the gap between them. “I wish to make sure everything I want is packed. You would be in the way.”
“Would I?” He prowled forwards as she retreated. When she bumped into the wall, he set one forearm on the wall above her and his other hand next to her shoulder. “Is that a bad thing?”
Since when was he this bold in public? Ella’s heart pounded as his lips hovered near hers. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Henry studiously watching the opposite wall. A passing maid stared at them with her mouth in a small “o” before she abruptly slammed her mouth shut and determinedly set her face down the hall and increased her pace.
Their reactions jump-started Ella’s brain. Placing her hands on his chest, she firmly pushed him back. “Propositioning her in the middle of a public hallway isnotthe way to win a girl’s heart,” she forcefully but quietly told him.
Michael scoffed. “You’re my wife. I should already have your heart.”
“Then shouldn’t I have had yours?” Ella retorted. She blinked back the tears that suddenly burned at her eyes.
“What?” Michael pulled away slightly. His expression was one of confusion.
“Never mind.” Ella pushed past him and practically ran down the hall, squeezing the words past her tight throat. “I would like to return to my room now.”
