Galinor lips part with his surprise. “What are you doing?”
I wave the handkerchief as if it’s obvious. “You have dirt on your face.”
The prince leans forward ever so slightly, stealing my breath.
“You’re worried about me when you have dirt here…” He touches my forehead. “Here…” His finger brushes my cheek, and then he moves it just below my bottom lip. “And here…?”
I laugh, a little self-conscious as I swat his hand away and dab the handkerchief over my face. “Better?”
With a quiet laugh, he nods. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.”
Galinor stands and leads me to the palace, guiding me with his hand on the small of my back.
It’s beenseveral days since our outing in the woods, and Galinor promises he will try to find the tree tomorrow. Other than a few brief conversations, I’ve seen little of the prince. While waiting for the creature to move on,Galinor spends his spare time sparring with the knights and nobles who have yet to return home from the tournament. I watch them for a while, but Irving is embarrassing and constantly calls attention to my presence.
Finally, I seek out Marigold’s company, but I’m baffled when I don’t find her in Lauramore’s meager library. I wander the halls, looking for her. Eventually, I find her with Prince Percival’s wife, Leonora. Tea is served, and the bright-eyed, prim princess swiftly invites me to join them.
“So, you and Marigold grew up together?” Princess Leonora asks as she holds a gown up to me. She frowns, shakes her head, and then lowers the coral-colored dress.
“Yes.” I smile at Marigold, who watches us from a chair near a balcony in Leonora’s dressing room. “Our family visits King Windom’s family frequently.”
“And we knew each other from before…” Marigold trails off.
“Of course.” Leonora looks up, nodding in understanding. “And your father is Baron Thomas Millner?”
“That’s right.”
“He is a merchant? A very successful one, if I remember correctly.”
I nod.
Leonora chooses another gown from the large wooden wardrobe. “And how is it you came to be dressed as a tambourine girl?”
“It’s a long story.”
One I don’t feel like sharing again. I look around Leonora’s quarters. They are large and grand, just as I expect the future queen’s chamber to be.
“You really don’t have to do this.” I motion to the dresses I’ve already tried on.
Leonora laughs. “Look at me.” She waves her hand over her pregnant belly. “I can’t wear any of these now, and by the time I can, I’ll want new ones anyway. Besides, you’re just the right size, and Pippa will never let me dress her up.” She examines another gown, a rose one this time, and nods. “This one,” she says to the maid helping us.
I hold up my arms as the girl slides the gown over my head. The whisper soft velvet settles against my skin.
“Yes, that will do nicely.” Leonora clutches her hands together as she admires me. I believe I’ve become the princess’s favorite doll.
The maid finishes with the ties, and I twirl for Leonora. “What do you think?”
With a twinkle in her eye, she declares, “Irving will love it!”
Marigold chokes on her tea.
I stumble but catch my balance. “Irving?”
Leonora walks to a dressing table and idly runs a brush through her long, golden-brown hair. “He sent a message to your parents taking responsibility for your well-being.”
Perhaps she doesn’t know Irving well. I glance at Marigold, helpless. She widens her eyes and shrugs.
