12
The night passed fartoo soon. I slept late as a result of the creaking doors and murmuring that came from the crown prince’s chamber, though I was too tired to wonder who he was speaking to.
In the morning, a maid who introduced herself as Serena assisted in washing and dressing me.
“Lord and Lady Huntington and Miss Isabelle are downstairs breaking fast,” Serena said, buttoning up my gown. “I’ll show you down shortly, milady.”
After I finished dressing, Serena led me out to the hall. She looked down at Misty when we reached the set of stairs. “Forgive milday, but M-Miss Isabelle doesn’t like animals,” she stuttered.
What am I supposed to do then, starve?Misty said grouchily.
“She’s very well-behaved,” I said.
“Oh...of course, milady. The dining room is right down these stairs to the left. If you’ll excuse me, I have much to attend to. Good day, milady!”
She bobbed a quick curtsy and practically dashed off, brown skirts flying.
I frowned, reminded very much of Tizzy. Was I that frightening to serve that every lady’s maid dissolved into a puddle of stutters and “milady”s?
Who cares?Misty meowed, cutting through my thoughts.Let’s get something to eat.
We barely made it down two steps.
“Lady Narcissa.”
I turned. Crown Prince Bennett strode toward me, dressed in a soft blue waistcoat and a dusky purple coat, both tailored impeccably to his form. But it was evident he was ill-rested, the darkness under his eyes betraying him. Whathadhe been doing last night?
“Good morning, Your Highness. Are you off to breakfast?” I inquired. I wasn’t sure how to act. Civility, therefore, was best.
He nodded. “And you?”
“To breakfast.”
He studied the railing, then his shoes, before looking back at me. If I didn’t know better, I would think him shy. Odd, after his usual stoic behavior. I shook the thoughts away. Perhaps I was imagining things.
To my surprise, Crown Prince Bennett offered me his arm. “Shall we go together?”
