Don't Forget to Dream (21 page)

“
And who is it they wish me
to
...
”
he couldn
’
t quit
e
finish the sentence.

“
Princess Annabelle.
”

“
But she is a child!
”
he exclaimed.

“
I believe she will be of marriageable age in two years,
”
Rhyla confirmed.

“
I am shocked.
I can't believe no one has told me of this. And to have to hear this from you,
”
he started as he began to come to terms with the devastating news. He regained his composure, brushing her cheek with his fingertips as he placed a wayward strand of hair behind her shoulder and slowly lowered his hand behind her back.
“
I can
’
t say I am completely surprised that my parents are taking it into their own hands. I had always known it was possible that my marriage would be arranged. In some ways I didn
’
t really care who it is,
now that you have my heart. As I can
’
t marry you what does it matter?
”

Rhyla couldn
’
t find anything to say.
The
tears
began
spill
ing down her cheeks.
He brushed them away before she collapsed into him once again.

“
The negotiations will take months before there is any formal arrangement,
”
he said searching for some reprieve.

“
So I still have time to stop loving you,
”
she whispered into his chest.

They clung to each other for what seemed a lifetime. The passing of the sun reminded them that they had been gone too long. Hand in hand they
strolled back through the trees. Before coming in sight of the path Prince Callum wrapped her hand back around
his arm in a more formal manner.
Seeing the red of her eyes and sensing their mood Lady Emelia asked no questions as they assisted her back into the Palace. She cursed herself for her insight, silently damming her grandson's appalling timing and choice of woman to give his heart t
o. Not that she could blame him.
Rhyla was indeed an astonishing young woman.

Chapter 8

The following day brought heavily laden skies that sent the guardsmen out for early training on the outskirts of Lestran
. Captain Martin led his men out
leaving his father to continue with Rhyla
’
s training session alone. They flowed through her wa
rm up routine before progressing
to defending against the more aggressive compound attacks that drove her to the back of the hall time
and time
again. She had no time for distracting thoughts as she struggled
to fight back. Master Thomas
gave
her
no quarter
time off
on the basis of her sex but worked
her as hard as any new recruit. A
ny opponent she came up against would no doubt be a man and would not give her any quarter. Master Thomas w
ould instruct her on
errors
she made
but as she improved and learnt he would push her onto the next level.

Rhyla ended her session with a content exhaustion, recognising the steady improvement in her abilities and confidence. She mopped her brow and exchanged her men
’
s clothing for her dress before accompanying her mistress back to her chambers. Lady Emelia ensured every morning that Elsie was kept busy with chores so they would not have to explain Rhyla
’
s appearance. In private she finished freshening up before they made their way to the women
’
s hall.

The chatter between Princess Sophia, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Caroline had subdued over the last few days but Rhyla braced herself for the discussions anyway. As they entered the women
’
s hall she heard Princess Sophia speaking.

“
He could at least show some interest in
the enquiry.
He
hasn
’
t asked a single question about Princess Annabelle,
”
she said as though it were a personal affront.

Her ladies looked a little uncomfortable with Lady Emelia and Rhyla overhearing their princess
’
s waspish remarks. Lady Elizabeth looked directly at Lady Emelia with a slight tightening of her eyes as she attempted to smile.

Lady Emelia entered the la
dies circle rather than retire
to her usual seat by the window. At a nod from her mistress Rhyla curtsied to Princess Sophia before retrieving the cushioned chair and settled Lady Emelia across from the princess. Despite their respective titles, age and respect for her husband
’
s grandmother, Princess Sophia only gave a slight nod in the direction
of Lady
Emelia.

“
Good morning Sophia, ladies,
”
Lady Emelia said looking at them all.
“
I hope we are not interrupting anything.
”

Princess Sophia looked slightly embarrassed as she knew she had been overheard,
“
We were just discussing Callum and his disinterest in his marriage proposal.
”

Lady Emelia laughed lightly at her,
“
Oh my dear, he has just returned after being away for several weeks. Now he is preparing the men to clear the hills of bandits and you think he should be interested
in a girl he knows nothing of. I can assure you that he is not considering marriage, even in two years time.
I think we should show him a little respect.
”

Princess Sophia looked suitably chastised and blushed as she refocused on the sewing in her lap.
“
Yes grandmamma, you are correct, he has more to concern himself with,
”
she agreed softly.

Lady Emelia turned the conversation to more comfortable topics,
“
How are my beautiful little great grandsons?
”

Princess Sophia smiled wa
rmly at the mention of her sons.
“
Charlie is taking to his studies at last but little Joseph is still more interested in seeing the men train or visitin
g his pony in the stables
than learning his letters and numbers.
”

“
You can expect no more from boys my dear,
”
Lady Emelia chimed.
“
They are no different to their father and uncle.
I seem to remember my mother despairing over my brother
’
s lack of enthusiasm for his studies. I suppose it is lucky I did pay attention,
”
she added but the reminder of her brother
’
s death without an heir was still an uncomfortable topic for general discussion. Lady Emelia had come to terms with her loss but many within the nobility did not think her fit to manage such a large estate for so long. Women were expected to manage for months at a time while the men were away but Lady Emelia had been head, and the only l
iving member of the Black Swan E
state, for more than five years. She had refused to bestow the lands on another family as her living descendants already had lands and
tiles enough to occupy them. Those
discussions had faded to occasional mutterings now that the estates were prosperous once again. The household staff and tenants were more than content with their mistress and Master Stephen ran the day to day activities
on the Estate
to her
complete
satisfaction.

The conversation within the women
’
s hall turned to more practical matters of embroidery and sewing tasks to be assessed and prioritised
. They really had little else of concern as
Queen Aletta managed the household so thoroughly
.
With
teams of housekeepers and cooks there was certainly little of the daily tasks
that had kept Rhyla occupied during her previous life on the farm with her dear father.
Even the daily care of the young Princes
’
was managed by their nannies and the boy
’
s education was supervised by
their father and a team of tutors.

Following their noon meal Rhyla was asked to read to them while they worked. She chose a book of poetry she knew their frivolous tastes would
appreciate. As the sun closed on the western horizon Rhyla was once again grateful for her morning sessions with Master Thomas and the sunroom where she and Lady Emelia could escape to in order to concentrate on their work without the constant prattle of the women
’
s hall.

Several days passed in the same routine that Rhyla had become accustomed to. On occasion Captain Martin was able to join their training s
essions but not as often now that
Prince Callum had returned. One morning they had to cut their session short in order to avoid discovery. Captain Martin had started calling for his father from outside in the training ground before he opened the door to announce that they needed to move the men
’
s blade practice indoors as heavy rains were approaching. At a nod in acknowledgement in his direction Rhyla quickly gathered her things, threw her dress over her leather leggings and escorted Lady Emelia from the weapon
’
s hall before the guardsmen could enter via the other door.

Rhyla still felt that she didn
’
t
truly belong within the Palace.
She
wasn
’
t the same as the other girls and the last thing she wanted was everyone to learn of something else that made her different. She couldn
’
t even bring herself to let Elsie know. She told herself that it was because Elsie could never keep such a secret but deep down she knew that she didn
’
t want her roommate, the closest person she had to a real friend again, to think she was stranger than Elsie already thought she was. It had taken many weeks for Elsie to warm up to her, to accept that Rhyla was not pus
hing her out of her position even though
Rhyla actually made it easier for her to do her job. Once she had realised that
,
they had begun to chat as any young girls would. Unfortunately she tal
ked of little else than her Kyle.
This
made Rhyla
’
s inability to talk of her feelings even more poignant.

Over several
days Rhyla crossed paths with Prince Callum numerous times and each time had to struggle to keep her composure. She had been
required to dine in the Great Hall the night after his return in order to celebrate his success. She sat at Mistress O
’
Mara
’
s table with Master Smythe, Ivan and Gina as she usually did when they dined in the full Gre
at Hall.
She certainly joined in whole heartedly when he was toasted by his father. Prince Callum had held her gaze as she stood amongst the
crowd, raised her cup and drank to his achievements.
She smiled warmly at him, knowing he knew t
he truths behind the smile;
not fearing
she would appear out of place should anyone notice
her. Assisting her mistress from the table after the meal was the only chance she had to speak to him.

“
My lady,
”
she said curtsying to the table in general from her mistress
’
s side.
“
Are you ready to retire?
”

“
Yes my dear, I am weary,
”
Lady Emelia said to her before returning her attention to her family.
“
Would you please excuse me Liam?
”

“
Of course my lady,
”
King Liam said as he stood.
His
sons and the other men at the table all stood as well.

Rhyla helped Lady Emelia from her chair then curtsied again to the King,
“
Good evening my King, Queen Aletta.
”
She paused as she acknowledged all the members of the royal family.
When she came to Prince Callum she nodded once again and added softly,
“
Congratulations on your successful trip Prince Callum, it is good to see you returned to us safely.
”