“I don’t think it’s a competition, Your Grace,” Katherine replied, as she wandered back over to take Anna’s hands. “I think you’re allowed to be upset because you had no choice, either.”
“But he is not a brute. He is not unkind; he is not twice my age and desperate for an heir; he is not cruel or controlling.” Anna swallowed thickly. “I do not think he would ever hurt me. Physically, I mean.”
Katherine smiled sadly. “But it’s not what you want, either.”
“No… I suppose not.”
Anna didn’t know how to explain, without sounding particularly ungrateful or spoiled, that Jeremywaswhat she wanted; it was just the manner in which this had come about that she didn’t want. Another marriage of convenience, another façade, another fate that had been decided for her.
Perhaps, it will not be so terrible.Maybe, in time, despite what he said, hewouldcome to love her. The trouble was, she no longer had any faith in a happy ending. Every time she thought there was one within reach, it was snatched away, to the point where she saw no use in reaching anymore.
“I wish my father were here,” Anna murmured. “He would know what to say to make things better.”
“If he were here, you would be at Pembroke House, and you would not be in this situation at all,” Katherine pointed out. “Although you would never have met me… and I am grateful that we met, Your Grace. I don’t thinkIwould be here if it weren’t for my brother, you, and our friendship.”
Anna forced a smile onto her face. “Then, it is fortunate that I am not leaving this manor.Thatis something I shall cling onto, even if the urge to run should possess me.”
She stood up and put her arms around her dearest friend, holding Katherine tightly, as the woman held her back. They stayed that way for a while, both taking the comfort they needed from that warm embrace. Indeed, they might have continued hugging until the carriage arrived, if it were not for the sharp knock at the door.
“Who is it?” Anna called out, reluctantly stepping out of the sisterly embrace.
The door opened without answer, and Beatrice walked in, Sophie running in behind her.
Jeremy’s sister-in-law hadn’t said much to Anna since their first meeting, but then Anna hadn’t made it particularly easy when she had been hiding in her room for a week.
“Ye look beautiful!” Sophie cried out, her mouth agape. “A princess!”
Anna blushed and crouched down to the girl’s level. “Would you like some flowers in your hair?”
“Can I?” Sophie looked up at her mother. “Mama, can I?”
Beatrice expelled a strained breath and gave a nod. “Ye can.”
“You sit up there in front of the mirror,” Anna encouraged Sophie, as she took the girl’s hand and led her the short distance to the vanity. “Katherine here will make you a flower crown of your own.”
“Well now, let me just take a moment to pick the best blooms for you,” Katherine said cheerily, as the girl eagerly clambered up onto the vanity’s stool, swinging her legs with the giddiness that only a child could have.
As the maid began sifting through the flowers and sliding them into Sophie’s hair, Beatrice came to stand closer to Anna. Although not too close.
“I was told to see how ye’re progressin’,” Beatrice said flatly, her reddish-brown eyes taking in the sight of Anna in her wedding gown. “Jeremy wants me to help ye get ready, though I daenae see what business it is of mine.”
Anna laughed awkwardly. “I suppose because we shall be sisters of a sort, after this is all over.”
“I daenae need a sister,” Beatrice replied.
“Well… um… nevertheless,” Anna mumbled, as she caught Katherine’s eye in the mirror. The lady’s maid looked ready to fight, offended on Anna’s behalf.
“I daenae like weddings,” Beatrice added, as she walked over to the vanity and slowly trailed her fingertips over the dried flowersthat hadn’t been chosen for Anna’s hair and had yet to be placed into Sophie’s. “Thought I’d tell ye that I daenae think me and me daughter will be attendin’. It’s nae personal; I just… aye, I daenae like weddings.”
Sophie frowned. “We cannae go to the weddin’?”
“Nay, love,” Beatrice replied. “We can go and see that goat of yers instead.”
The girl’s frown softened, her smile returning. “Sprightly will love me flower crown.”
“He will,” Anna said, schooling her tone into something cheerful for Sophie’s sake. “But do not get your hair too close to him with those pretty flowers, or he might have a nibble.”
Sophie giggled uproariously, a far cry from the stilted atmosphere in the rest of the room.
