Missing Lily (Tales of Dalthia) (10 page)

As we climbed the hill to the palace, my nerves finally made themselves known. I was anxious to see my parents, to be back in their capable hands. But I already missed Rhys.

The horses clattered into the circular drive as my mother’s willowy figure rushed out to meet me, her long veil fluttering behind her.
 

“Lylin!” My mother’s voice and face were filled with relief accompanied by a good deal of worry.
 

“I’m perfectly well, Mama,” I shouted before the horses even came to a stop. When the horse did halt, I gripped the arm of the soldier in front of me and swung down.

My mother’s arms came around me and I had to warn her about my bruises. She lessened her grip.

“You’re all right? No one hurt you?” she asked in desperation.

“I was well looked after. I promise I’m fine.”

“We had no idea you were missing until this morning, then it was like Ella all over again.” Her voice was still frantic, though she tried to be calm.

“I know, and I’m so sorry I scared you.” I wrapped my arms around her, feeling like our roles were reversed.

I looked up to see my father’s imposing figure coming down the steps, his dark head inclined as he half listened to the soldier at his side. “She was at the fifth manor house we inquired at. She came out the door before we even had a chance to knock.”
 

My mother warned him of my bruises in time for him to embrace me lightly, stooping to kiss the top of my head.

“Did Nathaniel return?” I asked.

“Yes,” my father answered. “It wasn’t until he returned that we knew you were missing. Now, let’s go inside.”

My feet barely touched the ground as my parents practically carried me inside. We did stop when Lorraina appeared, giving me an uncomfortably tight hug.

We gathered in the upstairs sitting room and I launched into my story right away, wanting to reassure them of my comfort the past few days. I sped through the story of being chased by the horsemen, emphasizing that I had never been caught and that my injuries were of my own making and not very severe.

“I was only in danger for a few minutes before I came upon the manor and its gracious occupants.”

I didn’t dare tell my parents that ‘a few minutes’ was actually several hours of wandering, lost, in the middle of a storm during the dead of night. No sense in letting them worry about something that was over and done with.

“Oh, Lylin.” I could tell by my mother’s tone of voice that she was nowhere near being soothed, so I tried a different tactic.

“Honestly, Mother. I spent nearly all of my time in a comfortable manor house, being looked after by a grandmotherly servant.” As well as her master, but that bit of information would likely not be comforting.

“What did you do with your time?”

“I...wandered the house exploring and visited with Rosamond.”

“Rosamond was the lady of the house?” my mother asked.

I shook my head. “There was no lady of the house. Rosamond was the servant.”

“You spent your time visiting with a servant?” It was the first time Lorraina had spoken, and her distaste at the thought was obvious.

“Yes, and she was an absolute angel.”

“And she didn’t believe that it was at all inappropriate that she was visiting with a princess as if you were equals?” I wondered if Raina’s eyes could possibly get any wider than they already were.

“Well, actually...they didn’t know.”

“Know what, darling?” my mother inquired.

“When I first arrived at the manor, I was...quite frightened. I was worried about what would happen if they knew who I was, so I lied about my name.” My guilt surprised me. I hadn’t actually felt guilty about my lie until now.

“They didn’t recognize you?” Lorraina was scandalized.

I shook my head.

“And you never told them who you were?”

My face crumpled, feeling the distress of my situation. “No,” I answered.

My mother looked confused. “Why not? Did you not trust them?”

“I absolutely trusted them,” was my automatic defense before I softened my tone. “They treated me so well, with such unabashed kindness. I didn’t want them to change the way they treated me once they knew who I was.”
 

“You haven’t yet told us their name,” my mother reminded me.

“Fallon,” I blurted before I lost my nerve. It was going to be awkward enough speaking of him; I certainly didn’t need to make it worse by hesitating over it. “Lord Rhys Fallon.” I looked up at my father to see a sad smile come to his face. “The son of a good friend of yours, I believe.” He only nodded, but I could tell that this news brought him a great deal of satisfaction.

“You ended up riding all the way back to Fallon Manor after almost making it to the river?” my mother asked and I nodded. “That’s quite a distance, but I cannot think of a better place for you to be. Do you remember Lord and Lady Fallon?”

“I do. Not well, but I recognized the name. I was relieved when I found out who they were. It put my mind at ease, knowing how much you respected them.”

The door opened and Ella came rushing into the room, her mouth tight with worry, her eyes searching until they found me. She carried two year old Guinevere on her hip, but swung the curly-headed toddler to the ground without breaking stride, allowing Guin to run to my father. Ella usually wore palace clothing when visiting, but it was clear she had not bothered taking the time to primp before coming to see me. Her life with her common husband on the estate gifted them by my parents did not require finery. She was dressed well enough, but her clothing was thoroughly practical and her blonde waves of hair hung in a loose braid. She looked radiant. The role of wife and mother suited her.
 

I stood to greet her and was overwhelmed by her presence as she enfolded me in her arms. She didn’t draw back right away, but kept her arms around me. I hugged her in return and allowed a few tears to escape into the fabric at her shoulder, then composed myself before she pulled away.

“I should not have let you leave my house.”

I chuckled at her assertion. “You could not have anticipated my being set upon by ruffians any more than I could.”

“Still, I shouldn’t—”

My father interrupted. “How did you get here so quickly? Nathaniel only left a few minutes ago.”

“I couldn’t stand to stay home waiting for news. I’ve been in a fit ever since the guard came looking for Lylin. Gavin finally suggested that I come here so that I would know the minute you were found.”

“Did you encounter Nathaniel on your way?” my father asked as Guinevere climbed happily onto his lap. “He left as soon as he found out that Lylin had returned.”

Ella looked up in surprise, “Yes, of course, he was with me just a moment ago—” She looked about as if expecting to see him in the room with us.

Father stood, bringing Guinevere with him. He looked at the steward standing at the door. “Tell Nathaniel to join us.”

The steward left the room and returned immediately with Nathaniel, who must have been waiting just outside the door. I noted his bandaged arm resting in a sling, but was relieved to see him otherwise intact. He bowed low to my father. “Your Majesty.”

He turned to look at me and I could see him trying to determine my well-being. He opened his mouth to speak but looked to my father instead.

“You may speak,” my father allowed.

“You were not injured, Princess Lylin?” he asked with obvious concern.

“A few bumps and bruises, but overall I am very well.”

He let out a stuttering breath. “You cannot imagine my relief.”

A smile slipped across my lips. I’d always liked Nathaniel. We got along well, and though he was more than fifteen years my senior, he treated me as an adult. He had been my bodyguard since I turned sixteen. He took his job very seriously, but was also easy to be with. “You’ve been injured.”

He looked down at his arm and shrugged. “The brute managed to get in a few blows before returning to his maker.” I found the bravado oddly comforting.

“Thank you, Nathaniel, for delivering Ariella, and for your efforts to ensure Lylin’s safety. You may go.” Nathaniel nodded to my father, accepting his dismissal, and bowed to the room at large before turning to go.

“Thank you, Nathaniel,” I called after him. He turned at the threshold and bowed low once more before disappearing around the corner.

I wished we could have a longer conversation so that I could thank him properly and find out what exactly had happened to him, but didn’t wish to do so with an audience. I would have to wait until my injuries allowed me to ride again.

“Why wasn’t he with the soldiers who were looking for me?”

“Do you think we only sent one group out to look for you?” My father looked amused and I felt a little silly. Of course there would be multiple search parties. “And as for Nathaniel, when he arrived here this morning, his arm had to be taken care of first, and the injury makes sitting on a horse awkward. Though that didn’t stop him from doing it. He insisted on going to retrieve Ella for you.”

“He arrived this morning? Where was he the past few days?”

“At the home of a commoner. He was found by a man who recognized the palace insignia and had to drag him to shelter. Nathaniel was quite determined to go looking for you, but the man insisted that it would be no use during the storm, especially with his injury.”

“I’m sorry.” It was the only thing I could think to say.

“Don’t you apologize, Lylin.” This command came from Ella, who looked entirely indignant. “
Nothing
was your fault.”

I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. She was right, and it was good to hear someone say it out loud. Ella likely knew exactly how I felt. However, there was a stark difference between her situation and mine. She had discovered who was responsible for her abduction, whereas I still had to wonder not only who my attackers were, but if they would continue to pursue me.

Chapter 8

O
NCE
MY
FAMILY
was convinced of my well-being, I returned to my room to freshen and change. Missy, my lady’s maid, exclaimed over the remaining scabs and bruises running down my left side, but kept her questions to herself. My evening was spent surrounded by my family, telling them about my stay at Fallon manor, though I tended to exaggerate Rosamond’s role and understate Rhys’s. I didn’t bother mentioning Tobias.

I settled comfortably into my own bed that night, looking forward to a peaceful sleep, but it wouldn’t come. I was safe in my home, but I couldn’t help wishing I were back at Fallon Manor.

I awoke the next morning, tired and worn, and asked that breakfast be brought to my room. It was a habit developed over the past year. With most of my sisters gone, I was often left to eat alone and preferred sitting comfortably in my room to sitting alone in the echoing chamber of the dining hall.

My food was brought and I curled up in a chair, a blanket wrapped over my night dress, the view from my window extending over the countryside.

I was surprised when my chamber door opened and Ella stepped in. “May I join you?”

“Of course.”

She entered, trailed by a servant who deposited another tray of food on the table across from me. I smiled in amusement as Ella thanked the servant and sat down with me once the door had closed.

“Good morning, Ella,” I laughingly greeted.

“You didn’t really think you could abandon me to sit alone in the dining hall, did you?” She gave me a scolding look, which made me smile.

“Actually, I had forgotten that you were here.”

She dipped her head in acknowledgement and sat back while she chewed, her gaze steady. “Will you tell me what really happened?”

I blinked in surprise. “You know what happened.”

“You didn’t tell us everything last night.” I was taken aback, wondering how she could know that.

I took a breath and decided to just tell her. “I didn’t find the manor house right after I left my horse. I wandered for hours. Or, at least, it felt like hours.”

Ella’s face crumpled in worry and compassion, but she said nothing.

“It was dark and raining and I had no idea where I was. It was the middle of the night before I took refuge in the Fallon stables. When Rhys first found me, he thought—”

“Rhys?” Ella asked, eyebrows raised.

My cheeks burned and I ducked my head. “I mean Lord Fallon.”

“Yes, I know who you mean, I just wonder at you calling him by his given name.” She wasn’t scolding; she was bursting with curiosity.

“We...became friends.”

Ella’s eyes searched mine. “So, not only was it worse than you let on, but it was also better?”

I nodded. It was an apt description. My arrival had been much worse than I had led my family to believe, but my time spent at Fallon manor had also been so much better than I was willing to admit.

“You know,” Ella continued, “I don’t believe I’ve ever met Lord Fallon, which, now that I think about it, seems odd since his estate is so close to mine. Although,” she said as though just realizing something. “I think I have met a Mr. Fallon. There are two brothers, I believe.”