“Spread your—” muttered Lady Lorine, breaking the silence and glancing at Lady Patricia. “Good gods. And you think a gentleman will have you with such language? See how wild she has become, living among the filth.”
Elizabeth ignored her, forcing a smile to diffuse the tension and soften the bite of her words. “There would have been talk, either way, Lady Patricia. This was the only avenue where I had a slim chance of happiness. I implore you to see that the decision was not an easy one.”
“You dream of finding true love, then?” Lady Patricia rolled her eyes. “You think someone of good looks and fortune would have you now?” The two sisters laughed. “Your reputation is dead and rotting.”
Elizabeth replied pleasantly, “Surely, as a woman in the same society, you know only a person with nothing of value to say resorts to making baseless claims about a woman’s virtue.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I say again, I was handed a hard situation with no good choices. So, I made my own choice and have made my own way. And I do not regret my decision.”
“And you seem to be doing well, Lady Ashcroft. If I still may call you that,” the queen interjected.
She kept her expression pleasant. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Yes, my surname is still Ashcroft. For now, anyway. They have not renounced me yet.”
Queen Rowena laughed, as if this were all a charming joke. “In any case, did you all know Lady Elizabeth is staying at the Golden Pearl Inn, with two footmen and a lady’s maid. I wonderhowyou managed to afford this as a single woman, if you truly haven’t been engaging in the aforementioned activities? And have not married in secret? We are simplydyingto know.”
She was silent for a while, not knowing if she should be entirely forthcoming. “I started by selling my dresses and jewels. I made a small fortune, and it snowballed from there. I have spent the summer trading in precious stones, which is how I purchased the accommodations, Your Majesty.”
The queen scoffed. “A likely story. And how did you, as a woman, learn your sums and figures? Or acquire the contacts needed for such endeavors?”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty. It was difficult to be sure, but not impossible,” she said, hoping to make her achievements sound humble and attainable to anyone. “I learned mathematics at my father’s knee,” she added, lifting her chin. “I’ve been helping him run the estate for many years since he does not have a son.”
The admission hung in the air. She knew it was improper, but she wouldn’t apologize for what her father had honoured her in doing.
“How … resourceful,” the queen said with false sweetness. “And what is that remarkable stone you are wearing? I have not seen its like before.”
“It’s called an ice diamond.”
“There is no such thing,” cut in Lady Lorine haughtily.
“I'm wearing one,” Elizabeth said, raising her brows. “which would suggest otherwise, Lady Lorine.”
Queen Rowena examined the necklace with calculating eyes. “Such fine stones for someone who claims to have started by selling off her wardrobe. Though I suppose we should help you maintain appearances.” She turned to Lady Patricia with mock concern. “You should give her that out-of-fashion ruby set you wore last fall, Lady Patricia. Rubies and a pink gown, I ask you,” murmured the queen with a smirk. “Help our dear Lady Ashcroft get through the winter, I daresay.”
The sillier girls collapsed into fits of giggles.
She sat tall and remained quiet as the laughter died down.
The conversation quickly turned to more lighthearted matters as the queen inquired about the engagements in the room. Charlotte was now engaged, and some of the other girls spoke of offers they had received from suitors. After the dessert course was polished off (“Are you sure you want an extra helping of lemon cake, Sophie?” the queen said sharply to a pretty but full-figured girl at the table.), the queen looked at each of them in turn, and they came to attention.
“There is another matter I must share with you all.” Queen Rowena paused until the room quieted, and several of the girls leaned in expectantly. “I don’t know if it has reached your ears yet, but the rebellion in Faina is growing. They are protesting our victory, and some are now openly refusing to pay our taxes.
“I am sending soldiers to enforce the peace. We will have order, at whatever cost. I don’t care how many soldiers we need to lose to restore our power base.” The queen’s eyes grew flinty at her words, and her gaze narrowed in determination.
Not for the first time, Elizabeth was a bit unnerved by the ferocity with which the queen spoke and felt a bit sorry for any kingdom that tried to stand against them. It reassured her, though, and made her feel like no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the queen would make sure that her family, court, and kingdom would always be safe.
“I want to keep you ladies abreast of what is happening elsewhere on the continent. Our power seat remains strong, however … regrettably, there has been a disappearance at court.” The queen’s lips thinned in anger at the admission.
“Lord Wilkinson,” Lady Patricia supplied with a dark look.
Elizabeth was aghast. The Wilkinsons were one of the richest and most influential houses in the kingdom.
“We have kept the newspapers at bay for the time being, but it will become widely known soon. He did not go travelling. He has vanished without a trace.” The queen paused. “We think the Fainan rebels are behind it. When we took over Faina, we had their monarchs swear fealty to our kingdom. However, they have a son who is stirring up trouble in the east. And we cannot find him.
“Prince Thalias has run away from his parents, who claim to have no knowledge of his actions or whereabouts,the fools. Now, he has started riots in the work camps, egging on the rabble. I fear he has grown tired of losing battles and has begun resorting to more cloak-and-dagger methods. Attacking us … more directly. I fear the attack on my life earlier this summer, and the disappearance of Lord Wilkinson, are only the beginning.”
She looked sternly at all of them. “Lord Wilkinson was a well-connected man from a very old family. He had excellent security. Double the guards at your respective homes, and do not put yourself in harm’s way. What I am saying to you, ladies … is be on your guard.”
***
They spent the night at the Golden Pearl Inn. Soon, the morning came, and they had to return to Arboras. Maud and Lial departed to ready the carriage, and Elizabeth went to find the innkeeper.
