It seemed the entire family was a little crazy.
‘I said move aside,’ Astin repeated.
‘That is quite all right,’ the prince said, walking his horse closer. He looked the girl up and down and relaxed in the saddle.
The blonde gave him a wide smile before lowering into a curtsy. ‘I told my sister, “Prince Borin is not here for show. He’s the people’s prince.”’
Blake blinked slowly, crossing her arms in front of her.
‘You’ve chosen a glorious day to visit our borough,’ the girl continued, looking up at the dense grey clouds above threatening rain.
Harlan moved his horse next to Astin’s to better hear the exchange.
‘What is it you need?’ the prince asked.
The blonde clasped her hands neatly in front of her. ‘We’re trying to reach my uncle, who resides in the nobility borough, but my sister here’—she gestured to Blake—‘keeps getting turned away at the gate. It’s my understanding that we’re still permitted to communicate with people on the other side of that wall. Am I wrong?’
Merchants were getting turned away at the gate because more and more nobility were cutting ties. Simply put, every merchant needed food, and the moment the shortages began affecting the nobility, they quickly withdrew their charity.
‘Your uncle lives in the nobility borough?’ the prince asked.
‘That’s right.’
‘Then how is it you came to live this side of the wall?’
Her smile never faltered. ‘Love, Your Highness. My mother married the man who sold her cotton. She was blessed with a happy marriage for many years before his passing.’
Harlan found himself watching Blake instead of her sister. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, clearly not enjoying her parents’ scandalous history being aired on the street for all to hear.
‘Our only brother passed recently,’ the girl went on. ‘My uncle has yet to hear of the tragic news, and I know he would want to pay his respects.’
Borin regarded her for a moment. ‘How did your brother die?’
Blake stepped off the veranda onto the street, hands falling to her sides. ‘He drowned, Your Highness. A fishing accident.’ She glanced at Harlan.
‘I hear the rocks in the port borough are very hazardous for novice fisherman,’ Borin said.
The blonde nodded. ‘Indeed.’
‘I am sorry for the loss of the head of your family,’ Borin said. ‘Of course you must notify your uncle, as the shop is now legally his. He must oversee the running of it.’
Blake spoke up at that. ‘My sisters and I are more than capable of managing things here, Your Highness.’
‘That is for your uncle to decide,’ Borin replied.
Blake bit her lip.
The prince pushed his cloak back. ‘I will have Commander Wright here personally deliver the letter to your uncle.’ He spoke louder than necessary, ensuring that every spectator watching from the safety of their verandas heard.
All eyes went to Harlan.
So much for sleep.‘Bring me the letter,’ he said with a resigned breath.
Blake hesitated before disappearing inside, returning a moment later with it. She stopped at the shoulder of the horse and passed it to him. ‘My uncle is Lord Thomas Welche.’
‘Of Cardelle Manor?’
She nodded. ‘Lady Victoria is my mother’s sister.’
