Page 11 of Slippers and Thorns
Ella turned with a weary smile. Her friend’s curly, dark brown hair struggled against the bun it had been tamed into, but her dress – made of a beautiful red silk fashioned into a simple cut – was neat as usual. “Good morning, Katy.”
Katy peered at Ella through narrowed brown eyes as she strode up to her. “Are you feeling all right? First you sleep in, and now that I see you, you look like you haven’t slept at all.”
“I’m fine,” Ella muttered, rubbing her temples. “I just—had something on my mind.”
Katy stared at her for several seconds. “It’s Lady Ilse, isn’t it?” she asked abruptly.
“What?”
“I knew it!” Katy exclaimed, slapping one hand on her thigh. “That’s it. I’ll do it.” Turning, she began to stride forcefully down the hall.
Confused, Ella asked, “Do what?”
Katy continued as if she hadn’t heard her friend, looking over her shoulder so her words weren’t lost down the hall. “I know you won’t, because you’re too sweet and gentle, so I’ll do it for you. He deserves it.”
“Who deserves what?” Ella repeated. She hurried after the other princess. “Katy, just what are you planning to do on my behalf? And to whom?”
“A good hard slap. Maybe a punch in the nose,” she mused. Her fisted hands barely moved with her swift stride. “Would that be enough?”
“Katy!” Ella grabbed her friend by the shoulders, forcing her to stop. “Whom are you planning to assault?”
Katy finally paused her rant. “Your husband. Obviously.”
Ella returned to rubbing her temples. “Forgive me, Katy, but I fail to see how it’s obvious that you are intending to create an international incident.”
“That’s a little dramatic,” Katy snorted. She tossed her head. “Me punching my husband’s best friend for being a first-class idiot and world-class jerk isnotgoing to cause an international incident.”
“He’s the crown prince of a different kingdom,” Ella pointed out.
“So what? You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed that since you’ve arrived, he’s paid an inordinate amount of attention to and openlyflirtedwith—”
“Can we talk somewhere a little more private?” Ella interrupted quietly but urgently. “Instead of holding this discussion in public?”
Blinking in surprise, Katy glanced down the hallway where several servants were going about their business. Henry stood like a deaf statue behind Ella. “Of course. This way.”
She led Ella to the family wing, ushered her through the door to her own suite, closed said door, and stuffed a nearby wedge of wood under it. “There,” she said proudly. “Now we won’t be interrupted by a well-meaning maid who fails to knock.”
Ella eyed the door uneasily. “Are you sure about that?”
“Of course!” Katy replied cheerfully. Leaning forward, she stage-whispered, “It’s been tested before.”
Not quite sure how to respond, Ella nodded uncertainly and drifted over to a wooden chair with blue cushions in front of the cold fireplace. Katy followed her, plopping down into a comfortable armchair. After a few moments, Ella took a deep breath. “Katy, please don’t do anything to Michael.”
Predictably, Katy puffed up. “Why not? He deserves it! Surely you don’t mean to say there is nothing wrong with his behavior!”
Ella looked down and wrung her hands in her lap. “I don’t—I mean, I—yes, it bothers me,” she finally admitted. “But I—”
“But what?” Katy protested. She leaned forward and fixed Ella with an intense stare.
“Lady Ilse is the daughter of a count,” Ella attempted to explain, “while I am just…”
“Just what?” her friend demanded.
“A…commoner,” Ella whispered, dropping her eyes to her lap. “I’m just a commoner.”
Katy scowled. “So am I. What’s your point?”
“Yes, but you spun wool, flax,andstraw into gold. You’re so much more valuable than I am!” Ella declared pitifully.
