She sniffled, and I drew her into a hug. I was only a few years older than Hannah, but those years had included plenty of experience with barbed words and backstabbing courtiers. “Phillip isn’t settling, and you know it. Don’t let Kayla rob you of happiness.”
Until this moment, I would have said Hannah was as superficial as the other woman. I hadn’t realized Hannah was loyal to Kayla not out of a shared mindset, but fear. I had assumed that Kayla wasn’t as nasty as some of the ladies I knew because she was polite to me and because Gemma spent time with her. But Gemma didn’t spend much time with her, and I wondered now if her interest had been more on providing Hannah with a buffer. Kayla’s attitude toward me was most likely due to who she thought I was.
She didn’t know I was the princess, but in her mind, I was still the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Haiwella.
I hugged Hannah a little tighter. “Have you told Gemma about you and Phillip?”
“No. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, and since then I haven’t seen her when I wasn’t with Kayla. Plus, Kayla’s been in such a mood these past few days. I’m worried she already knows and is planning something horrible.”
I had completely forgotten Kayla’s mystery conversation with Jeff and subsequent odd behavior. I hadn’t asked Sam if he had any ideas yet, but I doubted her mood had anything to do with Hannah. She wouldn’t delay any cruelty if she meant to make fun of the other woman. Saying as much to Hannah probably wouldn’t help.
“Tell you what, tomorrow you can come over to the Wrisons’ house for the noon meal, and I’ll invite Gemma, too. You won’t even have to walk past the tavern.” Hannah’s family lived in the row of houses behind the Wrisons. “And tonight, all you are going to think about is how much you like sneaking out with Phillip.”
She hugged me tight. “Thank you, Mina.”
We each stepped back, and I gave her hands one last squeeze before letting go. “Thank you for trusting me with your secret.”
Hannah climbed the steps away from the stream. I watched her go, wondering at the fact that she had confided in me. I’d talk with Gemma privately before we met for a meal and see what we could do to help her.
Once Hannah was no longer in view, I turned around, but there was no sign of Alan. I settled back on the boulder to wait, but fearedhe had seen me with Hannah and turned around. After the sun sank completely below the horizon, I gave up and returned to the Wrison home.
???
The next day, I thought of visiting the forge, but wasn’t able to make it. Talking with Gemma swallowed my morning. Then, Hannah needed far more support and reassurance than I had expected and we both spent the afternoon helping her plan how to reveal her relationship with Phillip to Kayla.
After all that, I wanted to escape to the stream directly following supper, but Sam intercepted me.
“Going for a walk?”
“Yes. It is so pleasant in the evenings; it would be a crime to stay cooped up indoors.”
“I’ll join you.”
It was still early enough that I doubted Alan would be at the stream. Pushing down my frustration, I took Sam’s arm and led the way toward the village square. With any luck, he’d strike up a conversation with someone and I’d be able to escape to the stream without company.
Sam didn’t speak at first, and I allowed the silence to stretch, aware that I might give away my impatience if I spoke.
As we neared the main square, Sam turned us down a side street and finally spoke. “I wanted to ask you a favor.”
“Oh?” The words were enough to divert my attention from the stream. “What kind of favor?”
Most people I knew wanted favors of some sort, whether they asked outright or not. A connection to the throne wasn’t easily overlooked, but I hadn’t expected Sam to seek preferential treatment. It made me wary.
He didn’t look at me, and I got the impression he was uncomfortable asking. He cleared his throat. “It’s a favor for Jeff, actually.”
That made more sense. Sam would do things for his friends that he’d never consider for himself. Now I was curious. What could I do to help Jeff without betraying my identity—for I trusted that Sam would not reveal that secret without my permission. I patted Sam’s arm. “Ask, Sam.”
He grimaced. “Jeff is convinced he is in love with Kayla.”
Maybe I would learn what he had said before leaving without needing to ask. This would be interesting. “You doubt his feelings?”
“I doubt that the Kayla he is in love with really exists. She’s a figment of his imagination. But I can’t force him to accept that. I’ve told him my concerns, and he has ignored them.”
“I’m not sure why you think I can help with this. He’s hardly going to trust me more than you.”
Sam sighed. “That’s not the favor I want. I’ve accepted that I’ve done all I can. Jeff will either see the truth on his own or he won’t, and if I push any more, he’ll just get mad at me.”
“So, where do I come in?”
