15
Aweek passed at HuntingtonAbbey. Other than a few uneventful trips and parades through town, my days were spent in the company of Lady Huntington and Isabelle, the latter of whom made it a point to ignore me after our last interaction.
It was a shame that hiding in one’s room as a guest was frowned upon, for I would’ve gladly done that instead of spending my evenings in the company of two women who detested me.
Crown Prince Bennett, having the luxury of being the crown prince, was allowed to lock himself in his quarters without being questioned. Ulysses joined him to write up reports. Pippin joined as well, after realizing that the crown prince’s bed was far softer than mine. Even Giselle frequented the room, claiming to have a variety of fitting issues she needed to consult him with.
It seemed that everyone was invited to hide out in his quarters except me. I suspected he was still angry with me for offending Lady Huntington and this was his punishment.
Luckily, as the ball drew closer, Isabelle and Lady Huntington were too preoccupied to pay me much attention. I was allowed to retire immediately after dinner the evening before.
“A family friend is arriving tonight so I’m afraid I cannot entertain you, Lady Narcissa. It is getting late. He will be introduced tomorrow morning,” Lady Huntington said.
I couldn’t have been more thankful to this mysterious friend, glad to have an hour or two with Misty before bed. But when I returned to my room, I found Maddox squatting beside the door, spreading out a bedroll.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when I approached.
He looked up and scowled. “His Highness says you are to be guarded in the presence of strangers.” He shifted his weight to his knees and straightened his purple tunic. Another bedroll leaned against the wall. “Do you mind? I have to make room for Flannery.”
I stepped aside as Maddox spread out the other bedroll. “It’s only one of the Huntingtons’ family friends. Is this necessary?”
“Ask the crown prince,” Maddox said. He leaned to the side. “Oi, Flannery! Over here.”
Another guard came down the hall, red cheeks puffing. I recognized him as the guard who gave me his pear during the procession. “Burning barnyards! This place is a labyrinth. Why are there so many hallways?” Flannery said, panting. Somehow, he got even redder when he saw me. He bowed abruptly. “My condolences, milady.”
I furrowed my brows. “Condolences?”
Flannery choked up. Maddox flailed his arms in my periphery. “Er, excuse me, milady. I’m rather parched. I’ll be back in a bit!”
He ran off down the hall, which was decidedly not where the kitchen was. I whirled around and put my hands on my hips. “What is going on?”
Maddox grew as red as Flannery. After a second, he mumbled, “I...might have told the guards about what you said the other day.”
“What did I say?”
“That...His Highness found you so despicable that he kissed his cat.”
I stared. I had been exaggerating, merely verbalizing my most ridiculous thoughts after my frustration at Isabelle and Pippin.
“And why exactly,” I said slowly, “did Flannery give me his condolences?”
Maddox blew out a slow, painful breath. “He thinks the crown prince prefers cats instead...instead of women. And so does the whole guard.”
I slapped a hand over my mouth before I cursed, or worse, laughed. I knelt across from him.
“What in the blazing fires were you thinking?” I demanded in a hushed voice. I was so worried Isabelle would spread rumors that I didn’t even consider Maddox would.
“How was I supposed to know they’d take it that way?” he said, matching my volume. “Apparently, His Highness has never shown interest in womenormen in the past. Before I knew it, the entire guard spun their own story around what I said. I don’t think I’ve met a more vulgar group of people. It’s impressive, really.”
“Has Lord Frederick heard?”
