“Only to close friends and family,” I mutter, not appreciating the accusatory tone she’s taking with me. Lady Margaret and I have floated around the same circles for years. My late godfather helped her father keep his company from going under, and we’ve attended many of the same social events throughout the years. It’s the passing familiarity that keeps me from reminding her of her place.
Realizing her impertinence, Margaret backs away a couple steps. She drops her condemnatory finger, but is still fixing me with a look fit to kill. “I know what you’re doing,Fritz,” she says my name with such venom I have to suppress a shudder. “You leave that sweet, innocent, lovely girl alone.”
“Look, Margaret.” I hold my arms out in front ofme in a gesture of open sincerity. “I promise; it’s not like you think.”
“Oh, you have no idea what I think, Your Highness.” Her voice is still barely above a whisper, but her big gestures and frantic movements aren’t exactly subtle, and I can feel a few eyes on us.
Trixie must sense it too because she’s by my side, a steadying hand on my arm. “Lady LaFleur, perhaps you and I should take a moment.”
Margaret glares between the two of us, eyes flicking up to Miles also. She nods to Trixie, who offers an elbow, and the two begin to walk towards the main doors to the hall. Miles starts to follow, but Lady Margaret turns her head over her shoulder and growls, “Not you.”
Miles holds up his hands in surrender and backs away, returning to my side.
“What was that all about?” he mutters from the side of his mouth.
“Seems the cat is out of the bag about Aurelia and me.”
Trixie has found my little nanny, and the three women step into the hall together, huge gowns bumping and rustling together as they walk arm in arm.
