“The importance is a matter of perception,” I explained.
She frowned.
“It’s likely more trivial than anything, to most, I mean.”
“Trivial by alady’sstandard? Or by a maid’s?”
“There’s a difference?” I asked.
“Aye,” she said. “A lady has room to spare when it comes to selecting a partner. She need not settle for someone, should there be concerns. Us maids don’t always have the means.”
“I see.”
“It’s true. I once knew a woman whose husband was a crook. She wasn’t by nature but when she met him, he was charming and kind and she covered for him more than she should have liked. They were wed before she realized just how bad a crook.”
“How terrible,” I said. I thought about the woman and felt sad. “Did she die?” I asked.
“I beg your pardon?” she asked.
“The woman you knew. You don’t know her now. Did she die?”
Josie looked away. “I do not know what happened to her, Your Highness.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Whatever her fate.”
“I’m sure she appreciates it.” Jocelyn laid back into the bed. “I would ask him about it,” she said. “Privately. Men like privacy.”
“That’s what Elías said.”
“Then we are speaking of Evergreen, still?” she asked.
I whispered.“I’m always speaking of him.”
“He doesn’t seem like the type to lie,” she said. “He’s very gentle. He’s very direct. One of the servants here told me that his departure from his engagement was done perfectly so. Mr. Evergreen followed every courtesy to ensure the woman’s reputation was not lost.”
“But he is caught,” I explained. “I know the lie is there.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Then he must have a reason for it. I don’t believe he would lie maliciously. Not to you.”
“Would you be angry?” I asked.
“It depends onwhathis reasoning was…” She touched her stomach. “I’ve known a lot of liars. I might be more forgiving than you. And Daniel is very pretty.”
“Pretty?” I crawled into place beside her and stared at her face. “You’re very pretty,” I told her. “I can’t imagine you’ve endured such terrible men with a face like that.”
She grinned, meeting my eyes. “A pretty face only gets you so far,” she said. “What was the lie?”
“If it’s all the same, I’d like to keep it to myself. I don’t understand his reasons, but I might find the courage to try if I have the chance, and… I’d like to preserve his privacy,” I said.
Josie nodded. “A shame. I love the gossip.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ser Willoughby, huh?” I teased. “Of all our knights,he’sthe one?”
“I think I’m in love with him,” she said.
My eyes went wide. “Love?”
She looked at the ceiling.“You’rein love with a swordsman,” she muttered. “There are a number of things one could say about that, Princess.”
