Page 76 of Slippers and Thorns
“No, it’s fine,” Helena replied, moving the plate away from Ella. She tilted her chin up. “I said I would come, and I will.”
“But this is my suite,” Ella said, gritting her teeth. “If you’re concerned that I can’t carry both plates, I’m sure Charlie would be more than willing to carry one for me.”
Charlie instantly stepped up beside her, indicating his willingness to do as she suggested.
“No,” Helena said forcefully, gripping the plate tighter, “I want to give this to Michael personally.”
“He might still be asleep,” Ella argued as politely as she could.
“If he’s not awake yet, then I’ll just wait for him in the sitting room,” the other woman said flatly.
Ella bristled. The girl might be a princess. This castle might be her home. But who did she think she was to declare that she would stay in someone else’s sitting room instead of asking for permission?
Ella couldn’t be so rude as to outright deny her, though.
“Very well, then,” she replied, not very graciously, as Charlie opened the door for them. “Since I can’t stop you.”
Ella stepped through the door, hoping desperately that Michael was already awake and about. Unfortunately, as Helena entered behind her, Ella saw Michael pulling himself into a sitting position on the sofa where she had left him. Even without the boots, his blinking eyes and the cloak in a crumpled heap on his lap were a clear sign that he had slept there.
She didn’t miss the triumphant look on Helena’s face as she sauntered forward. “Good morning, Michael,” the interloper said breezily. “I missed you this morning, so I brought you some breakfast.”
“Webrought you some breakfast,” Ella corrected, following closely behind and presenting her own plate with a side-glare at Helena. “I wasn’t sure how long you would sleep.”
Bemused, Michael coughed into his elbow and watched as Ella gently set her burden on the coffee table. “I overslept?”
“Well, you certainly didn’t make it to the archery field before breakfast,” Helena sniffed. She picked up a pastry and stuffed it in front of his mouth.
“Ah, I can feed myself, thanks,” he said uncomfortably, leaning back and waving her away. Once the princess removed her hand, he leaned forward and selected a bitesize toast-and-egg dish from Ella’s plate.
“Thank you, Helena. You’ve delivered your plate to him, so you can get back to whatever you were doing,” Ella prodded.
Helena smiled sweetly at her. “Of course. Since Michael is up, he’ll be able to join me now. See you out there!” She waggled her fingers in a wave and practically skipped out the door.
“You aren’t going, are you, Michael?” Ella asked quietly as the door closed loudly in the unwelcome visitor’s wake.
Michael dragged a hand through his dark hair, leaving half of it standing up. “I…” His gaze drifted sideways to where Charlie was conversing with Oliver in hushed tones. His brow furrowed. “What are your plans for the morning?”
“I don’t have any,” she admitted. “Up until yesterday afternoon, I was hoping to be on the road right now.”
He nodded in acknowledgement, still watching the guardsmen. “Charles arrived with you and Helena,” he casually observed.
“Yes. He wanted to talk with Oliver.”
“Hmm.” Michael narrowed his eyes. Oliver nodded to Charlie, then strode out of the room, still straight and tall despite his sleepless night. Charlie took up a position just inside the door. Turning to Ella, Michael said, “Why don’t you come with me?”
“Where to?”
“The archery field. I believe Helena is feeling a little out of practice.” He chuckled. “Or she’s just eager to get back to her favorite hobby.”
Spend time with Helena and Michael? Or let Michael spend time with Helena alone? Because it sounded like Michael was going regardless.
She mustered a smile. “Sounds like fun. I’ll get my cloak.”
“And I should probably get dressed,” Michael added, pushing himself up off the sofa.
Ella grimaced as she fetched her cloak from its hook. Fun. Yes, that’s what this would be.
CHAPTER 33
