Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I greatly wished to have kept you company this season, but Theodore and his father have found it impossible to leave Cheshire. I will not dampen your spirits with the details, as they have done mine. Instead, I shall wish hope upon you. I hope that before the year is done, you will also find someone who makes you smile even on the hardest of days. I believe one of love’s greatest powers is the courage to persevere, not for ourselves but for others. I will not speak on any of its other powers, for I know my godmother would have read this as well, and I fear another one of her stern talks with me. Besides, it is much more fun to discover them on your own.
I pray this letter finds you in good health, as I am, Hathor.
Your most unrelated sister,
Verity
“For a person who once proclaimed to know so little of love, you now speak rather confidently on the matter.” I spoke to the letter as if she were able to hear my reply. Glancing over the words once more, I could not help the smallest of smiles that appeared across my lips. I could see the happiness in her words, despite whatever troubles were occurring. The revelation of her relationship with Sir—then Dr.—Darrington left me nearly too shocked to speak. I had questioned why Mother even supported the match; they were so clearly unsuited. The answer came at their wedding, for never had I seen Verity grin so wide or heard her laugh so loud.
The melancholy cloud that seemed to hover over her and her life had burst. She’d been transformed, shining like the sun was always upon her. I believed that was the moment she became my second-worst enemy. Before Verity, I had only ever been envious of my sister Aphrodite. It was the most unwelcome feeling, and I would not rest until I rid myself of it, but the only way to do so was to find a husband. And a husband I would find, even if I had to roam the countryside on horseback!
Folding the letter and leaving my painting, I marched out of the study, the butlers and maids shifting out of my path as they went on their way to prepare the rooms for our guests. I did not run, as that would have been improper, but I hastily made my way into the drawing room, where my mother stood in the center of several servants, like a general organizing their troops for battle.
“I have regained my wits and spirits, Mama!”
“Good. Do try to hold on to them, for I have just been informed the queen is coming.”
“The queen? As in the queen?” I gasped out. “Whatever for? But all her sons are…are…”
“Do not finish that sentence!” She snapped at me and I closed my mouth quickly. “Her Majesty is coming I presume to make an introduction of her nephew, Prince Wilhelm Augustus Karl von Edward of Malrovia.”
She lifted the letter in her hand, the one with the royal seal, for me to read.
But even upon seeing it I still could not believe it. I took the paper and read it not once but twice before glancing up at her, a grin spreading across my face the way fire did across leaves.
“Mama!”
“Contain yourself—”
“Ah!” I screamed and jumped up and down, holding the letter to my chest.
“Hathor!” She hollered at me and I quickly ceased all movements but still could not rid myself of my smile.
“Mama, I very well may become a princess.” That was much much greater than a duchess!
“Hathor, I beg of you, please do not lose your head or forget that there will be a great number of other ladies in attendance who will also seek his attentions.”
“Very true, Mama, and I would worry if not for the fact that the queen is coming herself. Do you not see what that means?” I said, taking a deep breath. I read the letter for a third time. “She wishes to introduce him to us, to me, before any other suitors may have my hand. If not, she would simply wait for her end of the season ball to present him to society.”
I could not believe it. This was perfect! This solved everything!
“You are losing yourself, my dear,” she said, taking the letter back from my hands. “Royals are very…complex. We know nothing of this prince or the queen’s intentions. For her to come out into society surely means there is something altogether not right. Do not, and I mean do not, put much faith in this. It very well could come to nothing.”
“Mama, is it so much to simply allow me to hope? Must you crush my spirits so bitterly?” I sighed, heavily frowning at her. Just like that my excitement was gone. When she opened her mouth to speak I shook my head. “Never mind, I am tired, please excuse me.”