But the reprieve didn’t last long as Kellan stood and announced, “We’ll leave for the palace shortly. Everyone is welcome to come with us. We may leave for home directly afterwards depending on what happens. Rawlings, a carriage for Lady Sophia and Rosaleen, please.”
She took a deep breath as everyone in the room stood in a flurry of motion. She allowed herself to be swept along with it, following everyone out of the dining room and toward the front of the house.
The men who’d arrived with them split off, presumably going to the stables, leaving Caspian and Kellan in the foyer. “Are you ready for this?” Kellan asked her.
She shook her head and Caspian crossed the room to hold her hand.
“All will be well,” he said reassuringly.
If only she could throw her arms around him and pretend that nothing was happening today that might change her life forever.
“Your carriage is ready, Lord Kellan,” Rawlings said, popping up out of nowhere behind Sophia.
“That was fast,” Sophia muttered.
“I took the liberty of ordering one before Lord Kellan mentioned it,” Rawlings said, nodding to her when she turned to face him. “I look forward to hearing of your success, Lady Sophia.”
“We’ll be sure to send word,” Kellan said, clapping Rawlings on the shoulder. “Thank you for preparing everything for us on such short notice. We may be spending more time in Riyel than we have in the past,” he said, glancing at Sophia. “It’s always good to be here.”
“We are always happy to see you and your family, sir,” Rawlings said, inclining his head once again.
Kellan smiled, then strode out the door as Rawlings opened it. Rosaleen followed him, leaving Caspian and Sophia in the foyer.
“Best of luck to you, Lady Sophia,” Rawlings said. “I can see you’ve done wonders for this one here, and I look forward to you being around for many years to come.” His eyes twinkled as he said the words.
Was this what it could be like when the nobility treated those in their home with respect?
“Thank you, Rawlings,” Sophia said, a lump in her throat as Caspian led her to the door. “And thank you for welcoming me.”
“Any guest of Lord Caspian’s is welcome here at any time,” Rawlings said. “I hope to see you again soon.”
He closed the door behind them, and Caspian looked down at her. “I told you it wouldn’t be bad,” he teased.
“I wasn’t concerned about visiting your family’s home,” Sophia pointed out. “I didn’t wish to be a burden, but that wasn’t the part that worried me. The worst is yet to come.”
“And I’ll be right by your side through it all,” Caspian promised as he led her to the carriage and helped her in. “Even if it’s on horseback, a few feet away from you.”
Sophia laughed a little as he closed the carriage door and she watched him mount his horse through the small window, but her heart wasn’t in it.
All her heart could feel was tendrils of fear snaking their way through her.
She could barely breathe as the carriage made its way deeper into the heart of Riyel.
At least Rosaleen didn’t seem to expect her to talk—she was quiet, too. Perhaps worried about the fact that she would be asked to testify on Sophia’s behalf.
Would the king even acknowledge testimony from a cook? Would it be enough to persuade him of her legitimacy?
“Courage, dear,” Rosaleen said, squeezing her hand as they drove through the palace gates. “No matter what happens, I have a feeling you and that young man of yours will find a safe place to land.”
Sophia’s throat was dry, and she couldn’t find the words to say, so she simply squeezed her hand and tried to take a deep breath.
It was harder than it should have been.
As their carriage stopped, Sophia let out a shaky breath, turning to Rosaleen with wide eyes.
This was it.
The moment that would set the course of the rest of her life.
