Courting the Countess Fallon Sousa Published by Fallon Sousa at Smashwords Copyright 2013 Fallon Sousa Prologue The

day had come when King Neil could no longer depri e his !ingdom o" the dar!est secret that he had !ept constricted to his conscience "or many decades# $e !new that he was not getting any younger% and his wi"e% $olly% lay dying in her bed&chamber% stric!en with consumption as many others in 'ondon had been# (t seemed to be a cruel )o!e that $olly would be lost to the ery illness that Neil had scorned when the people o" his !ingdom "elt their own losses# $e !nelt by the *ueen+s bedside% ta!ing her "rail hand in his own# ,$olly%- he began# ,( ha e something to tell you o". a most unspea!able act o" my youth o" which ( am deeply ashamed and ha e so long tried to conceal "rom your wea!ened spirit# /n act through which ( wronged you in the early years a"ter we had been wed# (t in ol ed a ser ant girl by the name o" 0ane# 1od "orgi e me#*ueen $olly silenced her husband% s2uee3ing his hand as tightly as possible# ,( was made###more than "ully aware###bac! then###- her oice trailed o"" out o" increased wea!ness% not merely o" her spirit% but o" her body% her mind% and her heart# ,4ou###you !new5- King Neil+s "ace grew pu33led# ,4ou ne er said e en one word###to me#- $e tightened his own grip on her hand% only to "eel her loosen her own# ,( ha e "orgi en you long ago%- she said% adding% ,6ut such an unspea!able act as you ha e committed against my "a or####against our ows all those years ago% has ne er allowed itsel" to escape my memory% nor will it e er do so% e en in my death#,Perhaps%- he said% ,(t is you% my *ueen% that will not allow such an act to be "orgotten# 7ne cannot "ully blame a lad o" eight and ten "or such an act# ( was still "illed with the "lames o" youth that had yet to be sprayed and put out#-

,(t seemed to be that 0ane+s bastard child was the ery thing which was necessary to put out these "lames o" youth in you# /nd% now% when ( depart "rom this world% ne er ha ing bore you a daughter. much less a son. you will choose that which 0ane bore as the heir to this throne#,( do not ha e much o" any other choice% $olly#,Perhaps not# ( )ust hope that you can one day be at peace with yoursel" and with this horrendous thing that you ha e done# (" you must place 0ane+s child upon the throne% then do so in such a way that he will "eel welcomed by you and not cast aside as ( ha e "elt#,$olly###- King Neil+s oice trailed o"" nearly as much as $olly+s had# (t was in the "ollowing moment% when he loo!ed upon her silent "ace% that he !new she was gone# $e had lost 0ane long ago% and he had mourned her silently "or *ueen $olly+s sa!e% but% now% he did not ha e to hide his grie"# So% he wept# Chapter 7ne / wispy willow tree sat lonesome by the lo ely and lustrous garden at the "ormer home o" Countess 6ris!s% an usually "at and rather disagreeable old woman o" "i"ty&two# She had prospered as a widow "or most o" her adult li"e% her husband% Colonel 8atthew 6ris!s% ha ing passed away as a result o" his "aith"ul endurance o" his duties to 9ngland in the :e olutionary ;ar% hardly prior to the signing o" the <eclaration o" (ndependence# $e had been% at the time% but twenty&three% and his wi"e% the Countess% had yet to bear him a child% nor would she e er do so# Now% at her present ad ancing age% Countess 6ris!s% whose "irst name was 8argaret% had become a beggar when she lost her "ortune% which she had inherited "rom her mother against all "orms o" tradition# The "ortune itsel"% in "act% consisted o" about thirty&thousand pounds# 6y then% in 1=0>% she spent much o" her time as!ing do&gooders "or sil er as they passed her in the streets# This had gone on "or many a year as o" late% though she had no watch to eri"y this# $er niece% Catharine% who was the child o" her younger sister called $ilda% now rode up towards

Countess 6ris!s+ stately manor house% her upturned nose rising snottily at the prospect o" becoming the new Countess 6ris!s% though the title would always be that o" 8argaret rather than she# Catharine 6ris!s was a spinster. aged thirty&one and unmarried as o" late# 7" course% this could ha e much more to do with her snobbish demeanor than her lo ely moonlight tresses% her lithe "orm% or her grass&shaded eyes# For% Catharine was a stri!ing lady% no doubt% but a "oolish one at that# She had% to date% turned down twel e suitors% the most notable o" them being 0ohn Carlton% the comely and prosperous son o" a wealthy 'ondon merchant# ?1ood hea ens% 6etty%? Catharine remar!ed to her young ser ing girl% a handsome yet lowly wench o" eight and ten% as she ad)usted the positioning o" her rump in the carriage% which was now approaching the 6ris!s 8anor at an agreeable pace# ?$a e you not the sense to deli er me my hand!erchie" in a timely "ashion as ( weep tears o" ictory upon my becoming the new manor Countess5? Catharine in2uired o" young 6etty% proceeding to burst into a rather "eigned episode o" wailing at her own re2uest# :e"raining "rom all commentary in regards to the "act that Catharine was not&&and would li!ely ne er become&&a alid Countess% 6etty remar!ed plainly% ?Forgi e me% Countess%? with a "orced lac! o" emphasis on the last word# ?(t so happened that ( ha e misplaced my politeness in "a or o" mere "olly at present%? she continued% addressing her 8istress with an air o" couth beyond her designated social standing# ?'et it not happen once% nor thrice more%? sel"& named Countess 6ris!s the Second replied% precociously anticipating that her ser ing girl would not "ail to disappoint her sensibilities many times hence"orth# Catharine ushered with a wa e o" her pale% slender arm% "or the horse handler% ;enton 8iles% a lad who lagged emotionally and also with regards to his achie ements% in spite o" his age being scarcely a hand"ul o" years short o" Catharine+s# The new +Countess+ was hoisted out o" the rather ornate carriage by ;enton% to whom she ne er

remar!ed to nor addressed erbally% and to the touch o" whose hand she so re iled as she was escorted to the barren grounds out s!irting the manor house# 4et% despite her hatred o" him% Catharine could not help but notice a strange tingling sensation in her hand as she 2uic!ly pulled it away "rom ;enton@s# Seeing it "or the "irst time in close range o" her sight% Catharine 6ris!s grew rather "ond o" the manor at once# 6eyond the eApanse o" sterile grassland and dry rolling hills% which were a 2uite in"ormati e insight into the pre ious owner+s sense o" proper up!eep% lay the stately and yet com"ortable tudor% with its stucco and mahogany plan!s arranged into 2uite the array o" mathematician+s lines. the roo" layered and pea!ing in contrast with the smooth sur"aces o" the hills surrounding it# The manor was not eAcessi ely large% as Catharine noted. its standing being some ariation o" "i"ty and one hundred "eet in either direction# 4et% to Countess 6ris!s% though the name persisting in its "ailure to be right"ully hers regardless o" her own personal sentiments% it was 2uite the establishment to satis"y her own needs% as she grew "urther away each day "rom the prospects o" marriage and motherhood% "or which she was% in "act% rather glad# For% though she despised the +"ormer+ Countess% her dear /unt 8argaret% Catharine held e ery intention thus "ar o" mirroring her decisions% eAcepting her brie" matronhood% as "ar as li"estyle choices went% "or she would much rather beg "or sil er o" strangers in her senescence than to beg "or the mercy o" her husband in her middle age% not that her current age was by "ar thought tenderly o" as the proper age "or any sort o" union% much less one o" high social and "inancial means# $owe er% 8iss 6ris!s could not do so much as capture the eye o" a suitor despite her beauty% "or she had assuredly struc! the bones o" proposal straight out o" e ery worthy man in 'ondon+s body by now# Catharine approached 6ris!s 8anor rather hesitantly% accompanied by her ser ant% 6etty% who was% in the Countess+ opinion% rather too dar! in compleAion to be a proper 9nglishwoman# (t had been o"ten surmised that the orphaned 6etty+s parentage had originated in France% and they were o"ten the

sub)ect o" theoretical scorn% "or it had been said by the First Countess% a gossiping hen indeed% that they were ?typical "rolic!ing :omantics o" Paris? and that they ?begot their child% 6etty% out o" wedloc! in the utmost state o" sin and despair% "or they were 2uite struc! by po erty as a direct result o" their disillusionment#? 6etty% being well aware o" 8istress 6ris!s+ rather blatant disappro al o" her own mere eAistence% with all regards to her eAceptional domestic ser ices aside% remained 2uite silent as they trotted through the pristine% yet distaste"ully outdated halls% which were strewn with draperies and imported oriental rugs which were "ashionable no sooner than the last decade# ?These treacherous ob)ects must be remo ed and disposed o" at once%? Catherine said mostly to hersel"% running her spoiled piano "ingers o er a deep iolet curtain with a loo! o" horror upon her "ace# ?They are surely the tapestries o" Satan himsel"%? she added% thus inclining 6etty to thin! to hersel" that perhaps the curtains were ideal considering her 8istress+ rather prominent ac2uaintance with the master o" the macabre% as )udged by Catharine+s inclination to be such a disagreeable woman% much li!e Countess 8argaret 6ris!s% who Catharine was also unnaturally eager to emulate% thus "urther pro ing her o erall illainous nature# 6etty% howe er% was not so much as slightly inclined to argue with the "alse Countess in any manner% as it would surely not end in "a or o" any in!ling o" impro ement with regards to 6etty+s already meager allowance# ?For certain% then% ( will remo e them immediately and ha e them tossed out to charity% "or% perhaps a peasant "amily o" mild standing could ma!e use o" them in their cottage in order to di ide a nursery between children or something o" the sort# Surely you must also desire that your reputation as Countess will be a "a orable one% and such would greatly be aided by a charitable disposition#? ?( am 2uite bewildered that a girl as young and unschooled as yoursel" would be capable o" concei ing such an idea% but% 2uite certainly% it is a rather amiable one at that% and it would almost

de"initely result in my "urther gaining o" respects as the new Countess% as you ha e pre iously suggested# (n "act% ( am rather impressed% and% since ( ha e much yet to accomplish here in my new manor% ( would li!e to "urther such a cause and% in this moment% come to the understanding that you will attend to the matter immediately and will discontinue such "ri olous chatter in which you attempt to engage me at present#? <isregarding the "act that 8istress&&or +Countess+ as she would pre"er to be addressed&&6ris!s had been the one to gabber aimlessly rather than 6etty% the ser ing girl ainly accounted "or the placement o" her "lat% yet thic!% ebony mane in a loo!ing glass which resided abo e the caden3a in the "oyer o" 6ris!s+ 8anor% be"ore proceeding to set out in pursuit o" a new residence "or the de il+s curtains# 8eanwhile% 8istress Catharine did as she desired% which so happened to be ac2uainting hersel" with the sheer wealth and utter alue o" the home which her aunt was so un)ustly remo ed "rom a"ter Catharine hersel" had played her hand in the loss o" 8argaret+s "ortune by being rather sly in her dealings with her own mother% $ilda% so as that the patriarch o" their "amily and grand"ather to Catharine% 8ister $olden 6ris!s% would change the stipulations o" his testament in "a or o" her rather than his eldest# (deally% his "ortune would ha e gone to his closest male heir% but% he so happened to ha e none o" the sort% resulting in the re2uirement that he choose someone adept at handling such a "ortune# 8argaret and the Colonel had li ed bas!ing in 6ris!s "ortune "or spans o" time% but% when the time "or a proper arrangement arose at the impending death o" $olden some years earlier% he chose to remo e the remainder o" the "ortune "rom 8argaret% who had eApended much more than her right"ul share by then and entrust it to $ilda% only "or her to pass it o"" 2uite rapidly onto her daughter# Now that the sel"&dubbed Countess walt3ed grace"ully and somewhat pretentiously throughout 6ris!s 8anor% 2uite easily "orgetting about the ser ing girl% whom she "ound rather useless in matters

eAtending beyond the depth o" her ser itude% she began to see the "ull signi"icance o" her new"ound "ortune and the intense li!elihood o" "ame which accompanied it# ;ith special regards to her ad ancing age% Catharine 6ris!s had% at that moment% the least possible interest in matters o" the heart# She was "ully and "aith"ully dedicated to ensuring that others later emulated her indi""erence to men% much in the same way that she did so in re"erence to her /unt 8argaret# ?8istress Catharine%? a "airly youth"ul man+s oice addressed suddenly% abruptly ending the rather uppity woman+s intentions to "iA her ga3e upon the her new"ound wealth "or as long as possible% which would be li!ely )ust short o" eternity# ?(s there anything at all which ( may be inclined to do in your ser ice% perhaps as a "riend5? Countess 6ris!s turned rather as suddenly as the man had spo!en% her mau e petticoats remaining sti"" despite the swishing o" the slee es on her bodice# The man who stood be"ore her was ;enton 8iles% the horse handler. her carriage boy# ?That shall be Countess 6ris!s to you% ser ant#? (t was the "irst time that Catharine had e er spo!en to him% and surely% it would not be the last#

Chapter Two The neAt "ew days which 8istress Catharine 6ris!s spent at her new residence were utterly teeming with a ariety o" emotions% many o" which the supposed Countess would ha e much pre"erred to be le"t un"elt# $er ser ing girl% 6etty% whose surname was called $op!ins% though it was surely not re"lecti e o" her true heritage in France% happened to be absent "rom Catharine+s social sphere and her personal happenings# The young lady% when lac!ing in sil er to polish or laundry to wash by the distaste"ully rusted basin% spent much o" her time in what Catharine assumed to be "olly at best# Catharine hersel" was ma)orly dedicated to the pursuit o" social successes in the "orm o" rather mundane gatherings by which she was host to an array o" other women o" "ortune% many who utterly

lac!ed her own "eminist sentiments# ?Surely% dear Catharine% you must marry 2uite soon%? a 6aroness called 8ary Palmer spo!e to her% gi ing o"" an air o" belittlement towards her acclaimed dear "riend# 6aroness Palmer was wed to her 6aron by age siAteen% and she had begotten "our young within the span o" a decade# Now% two years more youth"ul than Catharine% she was again with child# 8istress 6ris!s pitied her se erely% "or she was a per"ect depiction o" the cult o" domesticity which greatly plagued such women o" 'ondon and o" elsewhere# ?$ea ens% no%? 6ris!s remar!ed 2uite "ran!ly# ?( shall not stoop to such low grounds as to marry now. not when ( ha e achie ed much success independently# ( shall be a liberated woman "or the entirety o" my eAistence% )ust as my /unt 8argaret would ha e been had her "ather not wed her to the Colonel so young# 'uc!ily% she remained childless and undamaged in that respect#? ?8ay ( remind you% Countess% that your /unt 8argaret has become a beggar and also that her marriage to Colonel 6ris!s% her own cousin% was perhaps the ery thing that initially aided the prospects o" her ac2uiring her "ortune in the "irst place# Surely% despite 8ister $olden "ailing to directly appoint his "ortune to the Colonel on the basis that he was% as a result o" his sister&in&law+s promiscuity% not a true 6ris!s heir% the simple "act that he was wed to 8argaret in"luenced her ability to access those great "unds much sooner than your own mother and% ultimately% yoursel"#? 6aroness Palmer hastily grabbed a pitcher o" cold tea and twice her allowance o" scones% 2uite possibly as a rebuttal to Catharine+s insinuations# Catharine sco""ed at her% iolently remo ing the tea and scones "rom the 6aroness+ arms# ?$a e you so little currency among your own possessions%? she began as she bit aggressi ely into a raspberry scone% ?that you must illicitly ac2uire my tea and scones as a means o" bare sur i al5? The Countess was "uming now# ?Perhaps you would ha e a greater "und i" you could control your innate need to bear children as i" you were a rabbit or a mongrel o" some sort#? The 6aroness was horri"ied# Catharine

continued% adding% ?4ou should dispose o" the 6aron and be a "eminist li!e me# Surely an orphanage would ta!e your children as well#? / wealthy and aging woman with red hair and an e2ually "iery disposition% called 8rs# 1old% spo!e out in response to this scrape between Catharine and the 6aroness% as!ing the latter i" she would desire 8rs# 1old+s tea in order to spoil Catharine+s newest calico# ;hen the rather agitated 6aroness responded with the desire to accept such an o""er% 8istress 6ris!s called o"" the gathering at once% dismissing the 6aroness and 8rs# 1old 2uite hastily# She ushered them out o" the stately and ominous entrance door% much in the same way that she ushered her ser ants towards their duties# (n "act% she began to wonder where 6etty was at that time% as it had been 2uite cumbersome to be re2uired to ser e tea to her own guests# ?6etty% come out o" where er you may be this ery instant# ( ha e been wondering what your current location might be "or se eral days now# 4ou ha e been much to 2uiet "or my tastes as o" late#? Catharine was beginning to truly care what became o" her ser ants% though she did not ha e any inclination as to why she might "eel in such a manner so suddenly# /"ter se eral moments without a response "rom 8iss $op!ins% Catharine entured to her ser ants+ chambers% situated in the "ar east wing o" the mansion# Bpon entering 6etty+s 2uarters% which were much more humble in appearance than any gi en room in the manor% she disco ered the poor girl ta!en to bed with a "e er and 2uite the chill# Perhaps she had become a""licted whilst "inding a home "or the hideous drapes# 7h% what a pityC Perhaps 8iss $op!ins would eApire due to the inattention to her illness% and it would all be at Catharine+s hand# 0ust then% the Countess reali3ed eAactly how "uriously she would long "or 6etty+s company i" she were to pass away# Catharine called the one <r# 6ismuth at once# $e was said to be the "inest o" his !ind in all o" 'ondon#?8y dear 6etty%? Catharine called to her ser ing girl% as she !nelt beside her bedside in the manner that a mother would to her own daughter# ?;hat ailment a""licts you so se erely that you ha e neglected both your duties and your "ollies "or such a time5?

<r# 6ismuth turned to Catharine sternly% a grim eApression on his "ace# ? +Tis "olly that contributed to her condition%? he said# ?8iss $op!ins was with child% and complications o" miscarriage le"t her to a great in"ection#? The Countess could scarcely belie e what <r# 6ismuth said to her at present# ?6etty% with child and no husband as her mother was5? she as!ed rhetorically# ?( should ha e eApected so much and gi en the poor child much less respect% "or she apparently did not deser e so much as what ( ha e granted her#? Catharine was in a state o" bewilderment# ?Pray tell% 6etty% whom were you with child by5 Surely it was not a gentlemen#? ?( was with child by the carriage boy% young ;enton 8iles%? 6etty said wea!ly# (" Catharine had detested 6etty once be"ore% she surely detested her much more "er ently at present% although she once again remained at a loss to comprehend her own "eelings# Surely% she did not en y the poor girl or her piti"ul condition% did she5 ?( shall retire to my chambers now%? 8istress 6ris!s said rather calmly# Catharine remained in her chambers "or se eral hours in solitude% only to be interrupted by <r# 6ismuth+s notice o" 6etty+s passing later that night# Catharine "elt both somewhat smug and somewhat grie ous with regards to the sudden death o" her ser ing girl# (n what manner she would deal with the carriage boy% 8ister 8iles% would remain to be seen#

Chapter Three The matter o" utmost importance which remained concrete in Countess 6ris!s+ mind o er the neAt wee! so happened to be the ery manner in which she would decide to a enge 6etty $op!ins+ death% saying ery little o" her "inal condition# Catharine had disli!ed the carriage boy% ;enton 8iles "or as long as she could care to remember# $owe er% she had scarcely any choice on whether or not she should act against him at present% "or she needed to attend to the duty o" inter iewing arious young

ladies in order to choose one who would ta!e 8iss $op!ins+ place as her ser ing girl# 0ust a"ter noon that Saturday% the "irst girl% a "ine&"eatured "armer+s daughter named 'ydia ;inthrop% sat be"ore Catharine+s delicate yet ominous "igure% her sha!ing hands attempting to remain still in her lap% which was co ered% as was the rest o" her "orm% by a hideous linen worn to the point o" a rather se ere dar!ening# She appeared to be much the same age as 6etty had been% though her "ragile little button nose suggested that it was possible she could be much younger than Catharine+s "ormer ser ant# ?$ow old are you% dear5? 8istress 6ris!s as!ed 'ydia up"ront% her brow "urrowing at what she concei ed the answer might well be# ?( am 2uite young% in "act%? 'ydia responded hesitantly and with much resistance# ?( am but "i e and ten#? Catharine gasped% "or she was rather astounded at the girl+s youth"ulness# ?/re you not attending lessons in the schoolhouse at present% 8iss 'ydia5? The Countess sincerely hoped that the girl would respond positi ely% but also thought that hope highly unli!ely to be "ul"illed# ?No% Countess 6ris!s%? 'ydia replied# ?( am a"raid that my "ather+s occupation does not allow me the time "or schooling# ( ha e been obligated thus "ar to assist my "amily with the "arm# ( did attend se eral lessons some years ago% but they were mostly ocational#? Countess 6ris!s "ound hersel" to be rather displeased at the thought o" hiring the girl% 'ydia# /t the ery least% 8iss $op!ins had attended primary school and learned her letters% though she had "ailed to grasp arithmetic# $owe er% the Countess% being mostly a logophile hersel"% had come to much o" the same conclusion with regards to her own education# ?( am truly sorry% 8iss ;inthrop%? Catharine began% her piggish nose turning upward in the slightest manner towards young 'ydia# ?( cannot permit mysel" to hire a ser ant so unschooled# 8y 6etty was no scholar% but she could read at best# Can you do so much5?

?Bn"ortunately not%? 'ydia replied% the tremor in her limbs increasing# ?Then% you shall be dismissed at once%? Catharine responded coldly# 'ater that day% a"ter Countess 6ris!s too! to her tea alone% another wench stood be"ore her# The girl was "air and seemed learned enough% and she was one and twenty% a much more "a orable age "or a ser ant% in Catharine+s high opinion# $er name was 8ildred 8ills ?;hat is your "ather+s occupation% pray tell5? 8istress Catharine as!ed o" the girl# /"ter her pre ious encounter with 'ydia earlier in the day% she no longer eApected to be impressed by a prospecti e ser ing girl# The Countess how supposed that she should not ha e eApected so much in the "irst place% and% perhaps% in dismissing 'ydia% she had been somewhat mista!en# $owe er% the potential held within 8ildred would depend hea ily on her responses to Catharine+s 2uestions# ?8y "ather has no occupation%? she replied# 6e"ore 8istress 6ris!s could curse the poor girl+s parentage on account o" agrancy% 8ildred continued# ?8y "ather was once a gentleman% though he lost his "ortune as it was s2uandered by my mother in her youth# $e made the mista!e at thirty o" marrying a girl only three and ten who was also 2uite "ond o" nice hair ribbons and arious "ripperies#? ?$ow much did your "ather+s "ortune amount to5? Catharine as!ed o" 8ildred with her "ull attenti eness# ?Forty thousand pounds%? 8ildred replied cooly and care"ully# $er smooth "ace% as Catharine could now see much more clearly% was calm% composed% and rather nicely powdered# 8istress 6ris!s did so "a or an ornate girl% "or surely in adherence to that which a woman was supposed to do "or the sa!e o" con"ormity% was a rather blatant symbol o" independence# Catharine was so eager to "ind ac2uaintances more li!e hersel"% and this procured such a thing as being e er in 8ildred+s "a or# ;ithout addressing her burning desire to !now why the daughter o" e en a "ormer gentleman would hope to be a Countess+ ser ing girl% Catharine in"ormed 8ildred 8ills that she was hired and should attend to her !itchen duties immediately% "or the Countess was in most desperate need o" some

"reshly made scones# 8ildred% seeming rather cooperati e% hurried 2uic!ly to the !itchen% her eAceptionally sewn "roc! trailing in her wa!e# Catharine retired to her chambers% where she remo ed the 1ood 6oo! "rom her dustiest shel" and lea"ed 2uic!ly through the psalms and :e elation be"ore placing it down by her bedside and ta!ing to her slumber rather 2uic!ly# Truth be told% Catharine 6ris!s happened to be 2uite the type o" woman to sleep rather o"ten# She tended to retire to her chambers 2uite early on most nights% mainly because she had nothing le"t to attend to once her social obligations had been met# Since arri ing at 6ris!s+ 8anor% the Countess% or more properly put% the niece o" the Countess 8argaret% had% in "act% ery little to do#

Chapter Four 8istress Catharine awo!e the "ollowing day at noon% a time normally consistent with "ashionable lateness% yet one which be"it her class 2uite well# /s she arose "rom her rather large canopy bed% adorned with co erings o" mau e satin that went attracti ely with the pale lace trimmings accompanying it% the sel" appointed Countess proceeded to change "rom her chemise and nightcap into a signi"icantly becoming calico% which was a shade o" mint green that went nicely with her coloring and the rising en y amongst her sentiment# 7nce her "orm was "ully corseted and her "ace powdered and rouged to her satis"action% Catharine 6ris!s descended the manor+s ominously spiraled staircase% the tousled hem o" her dress gra3ing each marble step in a noisy yet gracious manner# Bpon reaching her immense !itchen% she disco ered 8iss 8ills scrubbing at the China wear 2uite igorously in a hal"&hearted attempt to remo e the remained o" some dried syrup which had )oined the pre ious e ening+s ca!es and tea# ?( am rather glad to come upon you already attending to your assigned duties% e en in my apparent absence# $owe er% ( am 2uite displeased to see that there are no crumpets or )uice prepared

"or my brea!"ast%? Catharine replied sternly% swatting away a tiny gnat that must ha e "lown in through the open window# ?( could also despise you "or allowing "lies into my place o" "ood preparation# (" you wish to remain employed by me% you shall best decide to prepare me a scone and co""ee at the ery least% and ha e it upon my place in the dining room in no less that hal" an hour#? ?6ut% Countess%? 8ildred began% ?( had presumed that you would ne er arise and that you were perhaps a""licted with an ailment o" some !ind# Since you "irst hired me% you ha e beha ed in such a peculiar way# (t seems almost as i" you ha e been stric!en#? 8ildred appeared sincere% yet malicious in her address# ?Stric!en by what% may ( as!5? Catharine 2uestioned% irritability being her predominant "eeling% though she hersel" "elt rather stric!en% though she could not say with what# $ence% she did indeed eApect a alid answer o" 8iss 8ills# ?'o e% "or certainC? 8ildred eAclaimed# ? +Tis the only eAplanation "or such oddities#? The young lady seemed as i" she truly belie ed what she said# ?Nonsense% 8iss 8ills%? Catharine responded rather dismissi ely% tossing her arms up into the air and then dropping them hastily# ?(" ( were stric!en by lo e% then% surely% ( would be the "irst to become aware o" it# ( ha e sworn my entire eAistence against such "olly as that% "or ( wish to maintain all my mental "aculties and gain not e en a "raction o" the useless "eeling associated with romance# 4ou are indeed a rather "oolish girl% 8iss 8ills# ( suggest that you attend to my brea!"ast 2uic!ly# (t is nearly lunch time#? Countess 6ris!s retreated to her drawing room% where she chose a dusty olume "rom her collection o" writings so that she may ha e something to do while 8ildred 8ills prepared her "ood# 7nce again% she became 2uite bored with the boo!% as she% despite being well&schooled% was not most "ond o" education# She "eared that eAcesses in "ruitless !nowledge would hamper her creati ity# She would much pre"er to be the teacher than the pupil% as she o"ten had been e en in her days as a school&

girl# 9 en as a mere child% she had eAceeded not only the intellectual capacity o" her youth"ul teachers% but also the headmaster% though he was male and not "eeble&minded in the slightest# ?4our brea!"ast has been prepared% Countess%? 8ildred said% wal!ing into the drawing room dressed much more plainly than she had been the pre ious day% much to Catharine+s utter distaste# ?1i e me a "ew moments to gather my thoughts% 8iss 8ills%? the Countess replied airily% smoothing the bodice o" her dress and sighing rather noticeably# ?(ndeed% my 8istress%? said 8ildred% wal!ing away "or the time being# ?0ust be sure not to let your pastries harden or your )uice spoil# (t is rather dry and sunny at present%? she added be"ore turing towards her own chambers once again# Catharine prepared hersel" "or the possibility that her brea!"ast was not made to her satis"action# She entered her dining room hesitantly% and was indeed shoc!ed at the presence in the room# There% in the seat aside "rom her dining place% sat the horrid ;enton 8iles% his appearance% as "ar as the Countess could see% much too becoming "or someone o" such low "inancial stature# 8istress 6ris!s could not e en attempt to decide on what she might say to the man who le"t her appreciated 6etty in such a piti"ul condition# ?/re you aware o" what you ha e done% 8r# 8iles5? Catharine as!ed her carriage boy% anger rising in her oice# ?;hat do you spea! o"% Countess5? $e as!ed timidly# ?Surely you do not re"er to my ta!ing up o" the seat beside yours# ( merely wanted to get to !now you better% much in the way that 8iss $op!ins was able to !now you#? ?$ow dare you spea! o" 8iss $op!ins a"ter you ha e caused her demiseC? Catharine resounded# She was in"uriated# ?;hat could you possibly mean% Catharine5? $e as!ed% growing increasingly con"used at the Countess+ 2uestions# ?( ha e not so much as laid a hand upon the late 8iss $op!ins# $ow could (

possibly ha e !illed her5? Catharine began to sense that perhaps 8r# 8iles was indeed unaware o" the situation% but he had surely )ust pro ided her with "alse in"ormation% as she !new well enough to ta!e 6etty+s word o er his# The "act that he spo!e "alsehoods only "urther con"irmed that he was indeed the scoundrel that Catharine percei ed him to be "or as long as she could possibly remember# ?/re you sure you ha e ne er laid a hand upon 6etty5? she as!ed again# ?( am sure o" it% Countess 6ris!s%? $e replied seeming rather honest% which% in Catharine+s own opinion% was rather strange# ?( ne er so much as put my hand upon her own hand% ne er mind to ha e murdered her#? ?;hat ma!es you thin! that 6etty $op!ins eApired in such a horri"ic manner% ;enton5? Catharine in2uired curiously# ?( ne er said such a thing#? 8r# 8iles got up and eAited the room% lea ing the Countess to ta!e the "irst bite o" her stale crumpet# She then came to the conclusion that ;enton was indeed rather elusi e#

Chapter Fi e The 6ris!s 8anor house was rather 2uiet o er the coming days% as Catharine was continually eluded by her peculiar con ersation with ;enton 8iles in her grand !itchen on the "irst day o" 8ildred 8ills+ arri al to the manor# The new ser ant+s wor! had thus "ar been attended to much to the satis"action o" the Countess% who% though elated at the prospect o" ha ing a maid much more "itting than 6etty $op!ins had e er been% was also 2uite disconcerted due to 8ildred+s high social standing# ;hile her wor! was greatly appreciated by Catharine in all regards% the manor Countess could not help but to "eel a slight inclination to ma!e something more out o" 8ildred. perhaps returning her to her "ormer glori"ied state o" gentleman+s daughter# $owe er% it would not be a great eApanse o" time be"ore Catharine would come to belie e

otherwise# 8istress 6ris!s traipsed through the signi"icantly "lorid corridor that certain morning in order that she may inspect 8iss 8ills+ wor!# To Catharine+s apparent horror% the 2uality o" 8ildred+s producti ity had so rapidly declined# She could "ilthy her thumb simply by pressing it most daintily upon the loo!ing glass leading to her own chambers# The new drapes% which had been purchased without 8iss $op!ins+ help% had "ailed to be ironed% and the broom closet was unmaintained as well# Catharine stormed into 8ildred+s chambers% tossing open the large mahogany door% only to "ind 8ildred by her own loo!ing glass% which% to Catharine+s astonishment% was spotless# The girl was applying rouge and lipstic! to her "ace% and she was dressed in a rather tight dress with re ealed corset strings and which also rose abo e her an!les# ?For shame% 8iss 8illsC? Catharine sco""ed% turning her attention to the ain young lady# ?$a e you gone mad5? she as!ed# ?/re my wages so insigni"icant that you must turn to harlotry in your spare time5? ?4ou spea! nonsense% my 8istress%? replied 8ildred nonchalantly# ?( am out to see a gentleman caller by the name o" 'awrence Parish# $e is e er so handsome#? $er calm composure turned to a reddening o" her chee!s not "rom ma!e&up o" any !ind# ?4ou mustn+t see a gentleman loo!ing such a way# ;ould you care to borrow something o" mine5? Catharine o""ered# ?8e%? 8ildred replied snottily% ?6orrow something o" yours5 $ea ens% noC ;hy on earth would ( care to borrow the co erings o" a spinster in an attempt to call the attentions o" he who ( admire5 Perhaps% he has seen me already dressed in such a way and "ound no disli!e "or it# (n "act% he proposed to me last night in this ery dress#? ?Proposed5? Catharine as!ed% astonished# ?;ill you not be continuing your duties here which ( ha e assigned you to once you are married5? ?;hy% o" course not#?

?7" course not indeed%? retorted Catharine# ?( was )ust about to dismiss you besides# 4ou ha e done no proper ser ice to me thus "ar# 9n)oy your betrothal and your road to personal ser itude#? ?Pardon5? ?Clearly you are aware o" my de otion to "emale independence# (" the colonies could ha e cut o"" "rom 1reat 6ritain when my aunt was )ust married% then% surely women can brea! "ree )ust as easily "rom the clutches o" their opposing gender#? ?7h% dear%? 8ildred said# ?Clearly you ha e gone mad as ( had suspected#? 8iss 8ills trotted o"" down the stairs towards the door leading to the manor grounds# Catharine stopped her abruptly in the midst o" her attempted to unloc! the grand entrance# ?/re you 2uite certain that you choose to "ollow a suitor rather than a pro"ession5? 8ildred glanced at Catharine% her calmness returning# ?;hat pro"ession% pray tell% ha e you ta!en up in your own li"etime% other than swindling your poor aunt out o" her "ortune so that you may neither marry nor ha e any occupation#? ?4ou "oolish% "oolish girlC Catharine responded# ?;hat occupation has been opened to women in this country5 8y sole occupation is to ma!e sure that "uture members o" our gender are permitted the pri ilege o" occupation#? ?Then +tis not an occupation% ( gather%? 8ildred said# ?7" course it is an occupation% you silly girl#? Catharine was beginning to belie e that she had been outsmarted by someone below her% and she did not appreciate it whatsoe er# ?( ha e ne er 2uite heard it re"erred to in any list o" occupations or by the accounts o" anyone else who has an occupation#? ?7" course you ha e not%? the Countess responded# ?/ll o" those who hold occupations are men% and what use are they to us5? ;ith that% 8ildred wal!ed out o" the manor% ne er to return% "or she would be married the "ollowing month% and here&say claimed her to be a mother to many within a mere

hal" a decade# Perhaps Catharine would ne er get through to other members o" her gender and her class# Perhaps she would ne er reach her goal o" ha ing a true occupation# $owe er% it was indeed true that% despite her age and despite all o" her determination% the Countess was only a short time away "rom understanding the moti es o" women li!e 6etty and 8ildred# For% rather soon% Catharine would begin to !now what it was li!e to be in lo e#

Chapter SiA For the neAt three days% Catharine 6ris!s remained rather sullen and% in some ways% 2uite desolate at the prospect o" ha ing no ser ing girl# She supposed that she could hire a new one% but that would be somewhat undesirable% as it seemed that% thus "ar% she had no such luc! in "inding a trustworthy or e en remotely reliable maid# (t seemed to her almost as i" she were completely alone at the manor house% eAcepting her distaste"ul carriage boy% ;enton 8iles# (n such a light% the Countess began to wonder whether or not she were truly as independent o" a woman as she had always desired to be# She was ta!en to her chamber with a most se ere depression during those days% and% during that time% she too! nothing to eat and only dran! water "rom a pitcher that she usually reser ed "or watering her pri3ed petunias that she !ept in a gold&tone ase by her bedside# She had always en)oyed "loral aromas upon wa!ing% but now% she le"t her "lowers to whither and dehydrate# 9ach o" the three days% 8r# 8iles !noc!ed on her door% o""ering her biscuits and tea or co""ee and ca!es. insisting that she must eat lest she would die o" star ation# 7n the morning o" the "ourth day% Catharine awo!e in the middle o" the night with a deep pang o" hunger in her stomach% and she could depri e hersel" no longer# <ressed in the same peach nightdress that she had worn since the e ening she "irst "elt abandoned% which% by now% smelled o" perspiration and was also rather wrin!led% the Countess snuc! downstairs% hoping to remain unnoticed# Bpon reaching her grand dining area% she disco ered a plate o" stale biscuits and cold tea# /t "irst% she

was disgusted at their meagerness% but she was "ar too de"eated# Catharine pic!ed up a stone&hard biscuit and de oured it in a matter o" ten cloc!&tic!s# She then gulped down the whole o" the pot o" tea% completely disregarding the un&ladyli!e manner in which she consumed it# ;hen she was done% she "elt satis"ied with her humble "iAings% but not with her li"e or her rarely present sense o" accomplishment# She noticed that the window was opened once more% and a monstrous gall&nipper had "lown in# 6e"ore she had the chance to swat it away "rom her arm% the thing had bitten her% lea ing a minutely si3ed puncture on her "lesh# <elicate to such occurrences% Catharine rubbed her arm gently# She wondered i" the day could possibly be any more disagreeable# She was rather lost in thought "or a "ew moments% wondering i" she would contract a "atal malady "rom her mos2uito bite% when there was a loud and obnoAious !noc!ing at the door# The Countess brushed at her rumpled nightgown and wal!ed cautiously o er to the main entrance# She hesitated "or a moment% wondering who might lur! beyond the ery com"orts o" her manor% then slowly opened the door% which was rather "lorid in appearance# There% be"ore her% with her being "ilthy and underdressed% was her "ormer lo er% 0ohn Carlton# She gasped in astonishment# ,1o hence and remo e yoursel" "rom here at my 8istress@ re2uest%- she said# ,( am her ser ing girl#,/ha%- said he# ,4ou thin! you can possibly "ool me% Catharine 6ris!s5- $e haughtily ad)usted the collar o" the shirt beneath his blac! )ac!et# ,4ou scoundrel% showing up when a lady is indecent#- She was horri"ied# ,So% ( hear that you are a Countess now%- 8r# Carlton replied# ,(ndeed ( am# ;hat brings you crawling bac! to my doorstep% may ( as!5,( am not crawling# ( am calling# 7n you#,;hy would you dare do such a thing5 ( ha e re)ected a proposal "rom you many years in the past% and yet you ma!e another "oolish attempt to woo me5-

,8iss Catharine% my lo e% ( only propose what is in our mutual interest# 4ou claim to see! independence% do you not#,Perhaps so% which was the ery reason "or my re"usal o" your pre ious o""er#,;hat would you say i" we were to marry "or con enience only. i" ( would allow you your separate "unds and we could li e as e2uals with our own property5,That is impossible%- said Catharine% hesitantly gesturing "or 8r# Carlton to enter the "oyer and ha e a seat on her blue satin so"a# ,8y "ather is a merchant# ( can ma!e it happen i" you will only gi e me the chance to do so#$e began to sni"" the air surrounding Catharine# ,7" course% you will ha e to learn to wash yoursel" and wear proper clothing# <o you ha e any "iAings "or me# ( am your guest#,( am sorry% but ( am unable to pro ide you with "ood# /s "or my o""ensi e odor% ( ha e been depressed as o" late# ( ate again "or the "irst time in days )ust an hour ago#,;ell%- 0ohn responded% ,( suppose ( could go about my own duties "or the time being and you could in"orm me o" your "inal decision in the span o" a "ortnight# Bntil then% we must part ways% my stubborn beauty#0ohn Carlton then stormed abruptly out o" the manor# Catharine watched him suspiciously "rom her window seat as he boarded his unworthily simple carriage# She had her reasons be"ore as to why she re"used 8r# Carlton% but% now% in her present state% she did not "ind the prospect o" a con enient marriage nearly as daunting as she once had# 0ust then% 8r# ;enton 8iles came in "rom the depths o" his chambers and into the li ing room# ,( see you ha e eaten %Countess 6ris!s%- he said% noting the empty platter and teapot% which Catharine had carelessly le"t strewn about the cherry hardwood "loors# ,4es% ( suppose that ( ha e# Than! you "or "inally noticing#,So% 8r# Carlton has called on you "or a second time5-

,(ndeed% ( am a"raid# $e is 2uite a stubborn man#,4ou are not thin!ing o" marrying him% are you5,( ha e yet to decide#,6ut% you consider it5,;hy% o" course# (n my most recent desperation% ( ha e little choice in the matter% now% ha e (5,<o you ha e any idea what 8r# Carlton has been up to these past "i e years since his last attempt to woo you5,None#,$a e you e en thought that he might see! your "ortune rather than your heart5,Perhaps ( ha e% but you shall not mind% o" course% shall you5,;hy would ( care to mind5,;hy would you care to as!% then5,( )ust was under the impression that you despised the man# That be all#,/nd one point "urther%- he added# ,(s the one 0ohn Carlton aware that you are% in "act% not a Countess at all but a thie"5,$ow dare you say such a thingC- Catharine cried# ,4ou truly are the lowest "orm o" man that a man could be#,4ou thin! so% eh5,;ith all o" my being#- Catharine was sha!ing with disbelie" at her ser ant@s unruliness and his eagerness to degrade her possible "uture husband# ;ithout saying one more word% 8r# 8iles le"t Catharine to hersel"% retreating bac! to his chamber since he would not ha e a duty lest Catharine choose to lea e the manor% which seemed highly unli!ely to ;enton at that point in time#

Chapter Se en 'ater that e ening% Catharine was suddenly inspired to ad)ust hersel" in such a way that other women o" her class would see "it# She dressed in her "inest gown% one o" deep purple% also tying her blonde tresses into a "ashionable bun# The Countess e en dared to paint her "ace% though she did so lightly% as she was a proper lady# For now# Catharine came upon the large door which led into ;enton+s small chambers# She held her breath as he answered to her# ,Countess 6ris!s5- he in2uired% with much con"usion# ,;hy do you stand by me here5,<earest 8r# 8iles%- she said% ,( ha e been thin!ing as o" late% that% perhaps% ( shall re)ect Carlton+s proposal as soon as possible#,/re you certain5,(ndeed#- (n the neAt second% without the least bit o" care"ul thought% Catharine threw hersel" upon ;enton% who she had tried so hard to despise# She !issed him as "iercely as she could imagine possible% "irst pressing her so"t% pin! lips to his% then letting them part slightly "rom each other so that she could "eel the inner part o" his# ,Catharine%- he began% ,(###,Shh%- she said% thrusting hersel" against him as she tore his simple shirt "rom his chest% lea ing his bare muscles eAposed# $e then !ic!ed o"" his trousers and pulled at the shoulders o" her gown% letting it "all to the "loor# She ripped her own corset "rom her body% tossing it aside# $e could not see her "orm% which was mostly lithe% but cur ed slightly "rom her bust&line% along her trim middle% down to her rounded hips# The Countess had ne er seen a man undressed be"ore# She had ne er thought it proper# 4et now% at the mere sight o" his per"ect s!in and masculine "eatures% she could "eel the heat rising inside o" her# $e was !issing her now% along her )awline and nec!% o er her bosom% up and down her arms# She could

"eel hersel" growing dampDin a place where she ne er thought she could# ;enton li"ted Catharine onto his unmade bed% allowing her legs to be le"t open# $e "irst sat in her lap% leaning o er. their lips together still# She s2uealed out loud% though she 2uic!ly silenced hersel" out o" her own reser e# 8r# 8iles "inally allowed himsel" to enter her# /s he did so% she clutched his hair% pulling him closer and closer to her# $er whole body ached with want o" him# EEEEEEE The neAt morning% Catharine awo!e alone% still in ;enton+s bed# She was partially appalled at what she had done# She now !new what had entranced young 6etty out o" her senses. what so many others could not !eep themsel es away "rom# (t occurred to her )ust then% what had happened to 6etty# The Countess began to panic# Could she be with child% as 6etty had been5 /nd% what o" her "ortune5 Countess 6ris!s slipped her dress bac! on% running bac! to her own chambers# She needed to ma!e hersel" loo! at least somewhat less dishe eled# ,Bp so soon% 8iss Catharine5- ;enton said# $e had been standing there all along% watching the Countess "idget with the loc!s on her door# She did not !now what to say# ;enton "ailed to gi e her a chance# $e silenced her with a !iss be"ore she could spea! a word# ,( ha e a surprise "or you%- he said# ,Come with me#- ;enton brought Catharine downstairs# / young woman with rust&colored hair awaited her% holding a measuring tape# ,( do not understand#,This is <ana%- he answered# ,She is here to "it you "or your wedding gown#- ;enton smiled as i" he were proud o" what he said# ,( ha e chosen not to wed 8r# Carlton#,4es%- he replied# ,6ut you surely must wed me% Catharine 6ris!s# /"ter all% it has made the morning papers that you are not and ne er ha e been a Countess#-

,4ou didn+tC,( had to# ;hy on earth would you wish to remain a Countess% when ( would easily ha e you as my *ueen5,;hat nonsense do you spea!% 8r# 8iles5;enton laughed# ,8y "ather was a !ing% and my mother was a mere ser ant# ( was "orced into a li"e o" ser itude at a young age# 6ut% when *ueen $olly% his wi"e% died last year childless% ( was in"ormed that% as the only son o" King Neil% ( would be appointed to the throne someday#,(mpossibleC,( though so% too% lo e#,6ut% ( am not a 2ueen yet#,;ell% not yet# That does not mean that ( cannot ma!e you my Princess "irst% "or a "ew years#;enton graciously too! Catharine+s hand in his# $e slipped a sapphire ring onto her dainty hand# ,4es% my lo e%- Catharine said# ,( will be your 2ueen% your princess% or your maidser ant i" ( must# /ll that matters is that ( may lo e you as long as ( shall#,7h% and% as ( may ha e "orgotten to tell you% 8r# Carlton was tried and eAecuted last night#,Tried and eAecuted5- Catharine as!ed# ,For what5,Forcing himsel" upon young 6etty and gi ing her the child that caused her death# (t was him all along# Ne er me# ( agreed to ta!e the blame i" ( had to% as ( thought that you were in lo e with 8r# Carlton# ;hen ( saw how angry you became with me% ( changed my mind% as ( could not bear the thought o" you turning against me#,4ou should ha e told me% but ( am e er so glad that you did not# (" you had% ( may not ha e understood#,( will lea e you to preparing% my lo e#- ;enton le"t Catharine "eeling elated and surprised in such a way that she had ne er be"ore e en dreamed o" "eeling#

<ana wrapped the tape around Catharine# ,9ighty&se en% "i"ty&nine% eighty&"our#- She stepped away and sur eyed Catharine# ,4ou will ma!e a "ine bride%- she said#

Chapter 9ight The day o" Catharine and ;enton+s wedding% 8iss 6ris!s was no longer a Countess% although she had always !nown that the duration o" her "alsi"ied status would be short&li ed% anyhow# She loo!ed at hersel" closely in the old loo!ing&glass% unsure o" where this marriage would ta!e her% yet somehow glad o" her own uncertainty# $er lustrous hair hung loose under her eil% and the per"ectly& "itted gown clung to her% re ealing her "emininity in such a way that no other garment had as o" late# She was still somewhat conscious o" her slightly upturned nose% but% with her newly "lushed chee!s% contrasted gently with her "air "ace% it appeared smaller and "ar more button&li!e% rather than snobbish and uppity# 9 en her age% deemed un"it "or a "irst&time bride% mattered ery little and did not disgrace her temperament in the least# ,(t+s time%- <ana called# She would ma!e a "ine royal ser ant# Catharine "ollowed her out to the garden% where ;enton awaited her beneath the willow tree# /lthough Catharine had no one to escort her to him or gi e her away% she did not ta!e notice o" that "act any more than she did her unusual age at marriage# (t was a "ortunate thing% howe er% that 8r# 8iles himsel" appeared more mature than his real age o" twenty&nine# 7therwise% it would surely ha e been the tal! o" 'ondon that she had stolen such a young man "rom his mother+s arms% though% o" course% that was "ar "rom the case# There% below the tree% ;enton too! his soon&to&be wi"e+s hand# The minister began the small ser ice% in which he later proclaimed the two to be wed# Catharine and 8r# 8iles shared a !iss much more delicate than those o" their encounter behind the closed doors o" 6ris!s 8anor the pre ious wee!# /s they wal!ed away "rom the 8anor% which was to be returned to Catharine+s aunt% the true owner% she too! a long% deep% glance at the place# The willow tree% which had been the "irst thing she had laid eyes

upon when arri ing at the 8anor some time be"ore% and which was also now the place o" her wedding% would be "ore er car ed deep within her memory# ,Shall we ha e one last carriage ride together with me at the reigns% my lo e5- ;enton as!ed her# ,For old times+ sa!e5,(ndeed%- Catharine replied# ,/lthough it would be such a great pity "or it to be our last#,Perhaps when we are le"t amongst oursel es some time in the "uture% howe er "ar ahead it may be% then we can en)oy one more a"ter this#,Perhaps#- Catharine smiled# 9pilogue Four years later% Princess Catharine and Prince ;enton had come a long way "rom the barriers o" their supposed class di""erences% and had risen to a place where e ery other man and woman in 'ondon could ha e only dreamed o" li ing# That unusually nippy 7ctober day% the royal couple stood together in their deepest mourning at the rather untimely death o" the mighty King Neil# They !nelt in union beside his resting place% dressed mee!ly in simple blac! garments# Their two young children% a three&year&old little girl named Kira% and a baby boy )ust born% who was called $enry% stood by them# To a oid scandal% only the royal doctor was aware that Kira% who loo!ed )ust li!e her stunning mother% was born one wee! earlier than eApected# She had been !ept "rom the public eye until her presumed birthday had come to pass# No one eAcept "or *ueen Catharine !new it )ust yet% but Kira would be the heir to the throne% not $enry# She would ma!e sure o" it when the time came# 0ust because she was a married woman now did not mean that her 2uest "or "emales to be treated e2ually had e en come close to subsiding# ;enton% although he had not been brought up by King Neil% and although he resented the man "or lea ing him in po erty. in the dar! as to his true identity% dared to show tears at the loss o" his

"ather# Still% though he !ept the eAtreme depth o" his inner pain mostly at bay while he grie ed alongside his new "amily# $e attempted to ease his own emotional su""ering by s2uee3ing tightly onto Catharine+s smooth hand# (t had been long since they met% but she was still as lo ely to him as she had always been% and% no matter how much time would age her% she would always be young in his eyes# ;hen the time had ad anced to nearly midnight% and the s!ies had grown dar!% they wal!ed bac! to the palace together# ,Come% my lo e# The children must be put to sleep at once# The coronation is tomorrow#,4es% lo e# ( will#/s the illagers passed them in the streets% their ears rang with dea"ening cries o" ,'ong li e the KingC- and ,'ong li e the *ueenC- (nside his heart% ;enton !new that he would ne er desert them or belittle their needs as his "ather once had# King ;enton would be a much greater and mightier ruler than Neil could ha e been% when the time arose# 7" course% he would ne er neglect to remember that he would not ha e been gi en this opportunity had Neil not sired him in the "irst place# ;hen the new monarchs were sa"ely inside their la ish palace% instead o" going to their chamber% ;enton escorted his wi"e to a little&!nown bac! entrance# They wal!ed out onto the terrace% o erloo!ing the beauti"ul shore# For the brie"est o" moments% they simply stood there together% hand& in&hand% watching and re eling in the sun as it set across the night s!y% with a windy% yet strangely calm bree3e brushing past their s!in# King ;enton loo!ed deep into his new *ueen+s eyes% as i" he were ga3ing at her "or the ery "irst time# 8ost people were ignorantly unaware% but that was the way he always loo!ed at herDe ery single time that they stood together% side by side# ,$ow about that carriage ride% my lo e5- $e had not "orgotten what Catharine had said to him on the e e o" their wedding beneath the willow tree at 6ris!s 8anor% nearly hal" a decade ago# $e did not ha e to wait ery long "or her to answer him#

,(ndeed#They continued down to where the old carriage was par!ed# (t loo!ed )ust a tad bit out o" place sitting outside o" a King and *ueen+s palace% but neither o" them minded# (t was a part o" their history together% and it was not going anywhere# Catharine climbed into the carriage% in her usual seat% letting ;enton ta!e her by the hand in order to help her in% the way that he always had be"ore# Then% at last% he too! the reins# ,;ill this be our last ride together% now5- *ueen Catharine as!ed her husband% spea!ing with much more than the smallest tinge o" disappointment an% perhaps% e en worry% in her tone o" oice# ,9asy% my lo e%- King ;enton replied# $e started to dri e the carriage past the palace% out into the beauti"ul and 2uiet woods out bac!# ,;ell%- Catharine began again# ,(s it5;enton smiled at her with )ust as much sincerity as her had when he had been her lowly carriage boy% and she had been a "alse Countess# Then% he laughed# ,7" course not% lo e#,4ou mean that5- she as!ed# ,4ou really% truly mean it5 ;ith all o" your heart5- There was a deep sense o" eagerness in Catharine+s delicate oice% which had been e en "urther tuned and re"ined since the day that they had married# She could sing 2uite the hymn now# ,( most certainly do%- ;enton replied% win!ing at his wi"e# ,;e can ta!e as many o" these carriage rides as you so wish% so long as we both shall li e#Catharine pushed hersel" "orward so that her lips met ;enton+s ear# ,'ong li e the King%- she whispered% !issing his ear lightly# ,'ong li e the *ueen%- ;enton answered her with con iction# $e let one hand go o"" the reign% )ust "or a brie" second% to hold her hand once more# Then% he brought it bac!% and they dro e o"" through a path in the trees# They both !new they needed to be ready "or the coronation "irst thing in the

morning% so it was clear that this ride could not go on "ore er% but% in that moment% they cared ery little with regards to that "act# They could always drin! an eAtra cup o" tea i" they were tired# Neither one o" them dared to waste a minute o" the time that they had together# So% they !ept dri ing#