Hathor and the Prince isaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously Any resemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental
This is a Regency romance involving nobility and high society, in which there are Black people This is fiction, and anything is possible here. I truly hope you enjoy it.
Sincerely, Your Author
1
Hathor
MynameisHathorDuBell
NotHeather,butHa-ther.However,notasoul existsoutsideofmyfamilyandour servantswhopronouncesmy nameproperly,somypapainstructedthatIcorrectpeopleeachandeverytime,forhewasquiteproudofmyname Hathor, theEgyptiangoddessofthesky,women,andlove Asachild,Itreasurednothingmorethantolistentohistalesofmyancient namesake.Asanadult well,asmuchofanadultasIwaspermittedtobe Ifeltquitegoadedbythename,formydearpapa hadleftoutonecriticalfact,whichIrealizedonmyown.ThegoddessHathorwas,andforeverwillbe,intheshadowofthe goddess Isis, and the Greek counterpart for Isis is Aphrodite the name my papa bestowed upon my elder sister Thus, I alwaysfoundmyselfoverflowingwithachildishdesiretooutshineher.
ItwasawarIdeclaredofmyownvolition.
Awar mysister did not evenacknowledge, yet she defeated me ineverybattle Mysister was supremelyvictorious whether itwas inmusic, dancing, reading, languages beauty Justlike her ancientnamesake, Aphrodite, was the ideal, the verymeasureofaccomplishment.Ithadbeentwoyears,onemonth,twoweeks,oneday,andfivehourssinceshehadbecome knownasHerGrace,theDuchessofEverely.Hergreatesttriumph.AndthoughIwastrulyhappyforher,thereexistedinmea deephurt,anunattendedwoundsomewherewithinthatleftmeinanguish Iknewnotwherethiswoundwas,butIwassureof myattacker.
“Mini, you are going to be a big cousin soon” My mother kissed her cheek The girl’s name was actually Minerva, MinervaDuBell,asDamonhadsoughttokeepFather’straditionofstylingalldaughtersaftergoddesses.However,everyone hadtakentocallingherMini,anicknamebestowedbynoneotherthanouryoungestsister,Abena,whowasmostgladtohave someoneyoungertoorderaroundnow Mini,though,hadnocluewhatMotherrambledtoher
“Clearly, your books have givenwayto gross imagination,” mymother replied, and he offered a winkbefore quickly goingonhisway,seekingtoescapethisconversation,asallmendesiredtodo.Ineverunderstoodwhyuntillastspring,when Verity Evander’s younger sister and mysecond mortal enemy had offered the truthabout the relations betweenmenand women,nowthatshewasmarriedherself
“Hathor, do not think me the fool simply because I do not say what I know,” she stated and stepped up, cupping my cheeks.“Whateveryouthinkyou’velearnedfromVeritywillbefurtherexplainedbyahusbandofyourveryown.”
“Shouldoneevermanifest,”Imuttered,steppingoutofhergrasp,andreturningtomyeasel.“Londonprovidednosuch person again Idaresay,Imettheveryworstmen,andnowwemusttrymyluckherebeforetheendoftheseason”
“Itfeltlikecondescension”Ididnothaveverymanytalentsasitwas,andheseemedcompletelyunimpressedbyme “And Mr. Bennett? What was his great fault, then? I noticed he took an abundance of interest in your art and complimentedyouprofusely.”
“Read itfor yourselfand see how muchothers care for yousince youso clearlyneed a reminder,” she replied before leaninginandkissingmyhead “Ishallgocheckoverthelistsforourguests Joinmeonceyoufinish”
I can only imagine the sulk upon you at receiving this message from me, the greatest of all traitors, as you so often proclaim. I am unsure when you shall forgive me for my treacherous act of falling in love, though I commend you on your unwavering ability to hold a grudge I also thank you for the lovely painting you created of Theodore and me for his birthday. He and I were so incredibly moved by it that it now hangs above the fireplace in our drawing room at Glassden.
I greatly wished to have kept you company this season, but Theodore and his father have found it impossible to leave Cheshire I will not dampen your spirits with the details, as they have done mine Instead, I shall wish hope upon you. I hope that before the year is done, you will also find someone who makes you smile even on the hardest of days I believe one of love’s greatest powers is the courage to persevere, not for ourselves but for others I will not speak on any of its other powers, for I know my godmother would have read this as well, and I fear another one of her stern talks with me. Besides, it is much more fun to discover them on your own
I pray this letter finds you in good health, as I am, Hathor
Your most unrelated sister, Verity
“Forapersonwhoonceproclaimedtoknowsolittleoflove,younowspeakratherconfidentlyonthematter.”Ispoketo theletterasifshewereabletohearmyreply.Glancingoverthewordsoncemore,Icouldnothelpthesmallestofsmilesthat appearedacrossmylips Icouldseethehappinessinherwords,despitewhatevertroubleswereoccurring Therevelationof her relationship with Sir then Dr. Darrington left me nearly too shocked to speak. I had questioned why Mother even supportedthematch;theyweresoclearlyunsuited.Theanswercameattheirwedding,forneverhadIseenVeritygrinsowide orheardherlaughsoloud
Themelancholycloudthatseemedtohoveroverherandherlifehadburst.She’dbeentransformed,shininglikethesun wasalwaysuponher.Ibelievedthatwasthemomentshebecamemysecond-worstenemy.BeforeVerity,Ihadonlyeverbeen envious ofmysister Aphrodite Itwas the mostunwelcome feeling,andIwouldnotrestuntil Iridmyselfofit,butthe only waytodosowastofindahusband AndahusbandIwouldfind,evenifIhadtoroamthecountrysideonhorseback!
“Donotfinishthatsentence!” She snappedatme andIclosedmymouthquickly.“Her Majestyis comingIpresume to makeanintroductionofhernephew,PrinceWilhelmAugustusKarlvonEdwardofMalrovia”
“Hathor, I beg of you, please do not lose your head or forget that there will be a great number of other ladies in attendancewhowillalsoseekhisattentions.”
“Very true, Mama, and I would worry if not for the fact that the queen is coming herself. Do you not see what that means?”Isaid,takingadeepbreath Ireadtheletter for athirdtime “Shewishes tointroducehimtous,tome,beforeany othersuitorsmayhavemyhand.Ifnot,shewouldsimplywaitforherendoftheseasonballtopresenthimtosociety.”
“Nothing. Now go away,” Ireplied as Iscanned the workonmybed. She did notgo away. Instead, she rushed, and I quicklygrabbedthepapersbeforeshecouldmakeamessofthem “Abena,IaminnomoodforyouranticstonightasIamvery busytryingtosetthecourseofmylife.”
“Youhavebeenratherhelpfuloflate,Devana,whenyouneednotbe,”IsaidasIfollowedherinside,closingthedoor andeyeinghercarefully.Devanawasofteninherownlittleworld,justherandherpiano.AbenaandIcouldbetearingdown the castle, and Devana would continue playingas ifshe had beenhired bythe queenfor a concerto. Itwasn’tthatshe was uncaring Instead, she preferred to mind her ownbusiness quietly Butlately, she’d beenhoveringaboutMama and me, and now,beforebed,she’dcomereadytopickuppillowfeathers.Thatwasveryunlikeher.“Whatisgoingonwithyou?”
“Nothing. Imerelywishto help myolder sister. Whyare youso suspicious ofkindness?” she said, pickingthe white feathersonebyoneoffthecenterofmybed,butindoingso,sheliftedoneofmypapers
“Good, as you ought to” I nodded, moving to take a seat beside her “Now, did you come only to tease or is there somethingthematter?”
“IcamemerelytoseeyoubecauseIwasinterested.”
“Interested?Inwhat?”
“Allofit Howtocourt,howto garnerattention”
“Sincewhendoyoucareforanythingbeyondthepiano?”
“Iamnolongerachild,Hathor,butaladyofsixteen.Intwoyears,Mamawillbringmeintosocietyaswell.So,isthis notthetimetobegintakinganinterest?”sheasked,andasuspiciousfeelingcreptuponme Ididnotknowmuchaboutothers, butIknew mysisters. Devana had onlyever had one interestinher life: music. Now, all ofa sudden, she wished to know aboutsuitors.Ileanedcloserandcloseruntilmyfacewasrightbeforehers.
“Whydidyousayanythingatall?Oristhisyourplottotormentme?”IhuffedandcrossedmyarmsasIglaredather. Shetwirledtheendofherblondebraid.“Itoldyoubecause…Ijustfelt…IfeltasifIwouldcombustifIdidnotspeak the words to someone These feelings inmychestmake me feel as ifIcannotbreathe, and Ido notknow whatto do, so I thoughtIwouldtellmybigsister Youwillnotbetrayme,willyou?”
Who is this person? Ithoughtbutinsteadshookmyheadno.“Iwillnotbetrayyou.Now,goontobed.Itislate.”
“Whatofyourroom?”
“Thatis a problemfor the morning,” Ireplied gently “Go onand speakno more ofthese feelings until youare outin society,orMamawillwringyourneck.”
Atthisrate,IwouldnotbesurprisedifAbenahadasuitor waitingfor her Therewasheavinessuponmyshoulders,a pressurethatgrewsostrongIslowlysankbesidethebucketandpulledmylegstomychest.HadIeverevenlikedsomeone?I meantrulylikedsomeonesomuchIwasachingtospeakthewordsaloudasDevanahadnow?No,IcouldnotsayIhad.
Attheageoftwenty,Ihadsecurednogreatfeelingsforanygentleman Wastheresomethingwrongwithme?Aphrodite, too, had falleninlove withEvander atsixteen. And ifIrecall correctly, thatwas the age atwhichmymother had wed my father.Wasthatwhenweweremeanttobeinlove?Ifso,didthatmeanIhadmissedmychance?No,Veritywaseighteenwhen she wed Would that mean Devana would wed immediately upon entering society as well? What if I couldn’t succeed in gainingPrinceWilhelm’sattentions?WhatifIfailedthisseasonandstill hadnotfoundsomeoneintwoyears’time?Devana would marrybefore me. No. Mama would notallow it. She would see me wed first, butthatwould meanIwas postponing anothercouple’shappiness,woulditnot?Surelythatwouldnotbringforthgoodkarma Igrippedthesideofmyhead,anachegrowingwithin.Ididnotwishtothinkanylonger.Icrawledontomybedandlay down,swattingthefeathersfrommyfacebeforeclosingmyeyes.Hopefully,themorningwouldbringmereliefandrenewed energytofigureoutmylifebeforeitwastoolate.JustasIfeltIhadfinallydriftedoff,mynamewascalledasifitwereacall toarms
Iwantedus tosmileateachother until bothofour faces hurt Iwishedtodancetogether until webothcollapsedfrom exhaustion.Idesiredtoholdhishandand…anddoallVeritysaidweweremeanttodowitheachother.
“Her Majestywill have the goodsense tocome the verylatestpossible,soas tomake sure noone upstages her grand entrance.Donotexpecther…ortheprinceyoutrulyinquireabout,tocomeuntiltheeveningortomorrow,”shesaidtomeand thenstoppedwhenshesawIngrid,whosomehowmanagedtolookbothstoicandfrazzledatthesametime.“Ingrid,areallthe refreshmentsprepared?”
“Yes, your ladyship, everythingis alreadylaid outupontrays and theyshall be served the momentthe guests enter the grandhall.”
“Abrotherwithoutloyalty?Whatashame Ishallhavetocountonyouthen,Hector”Ilookedattheboybesideme He wasanotherpersongrowingbeyondcomparisonandnearlyatmyheightnow.
“Whydon’tweleavethistothetraditionalmethodsofintroductionandnothaveallofsocietyundertheimpressionthatI haveraisedwildruffians,”mymothersaid.Then,shegaveusallasternglare,forcingustostanduprightandproperlyonce more Theonlypersonunafraidandinsensiblewas,ofcourse,Abena
“Mama,ifthisisall for Hathor,whymustIbeouthere?Devanagetstostayinsideandplay.Iwanttogotoo.”Abena sighedheavily,kickingthegravel.
ThementionofDevanamademefeelguilty.DevanawasnotoutsidebecauseMotherclearlysawwhatIdid shelooked increasinglymorelikeayoungladythanachild AsshewasnotyetoutinsocietyandMotherwishedtoseememarriedfirst, Devanawasforcedtostayinside.Partofmewasgratefulthattheattentionwassolelyuponme,butanotherpartfeltbadthat Devanawouldbehiddenaway.Ifitwereme,Iwouldsurelybesouroversuchthings.However,Devanadidnotcareinthe least
Myfather chuckled the loudestand itwas now Damon’s turnto pretend he did nothear. He tookhis wife’s hand and placeditonhisarm.Iwatchedasasmilespreadonherlipsatusall.Noneofuscouldsayanythingmoreaswesawandheard theapproachingcarriagesinthedistance Itwasasiftheyhadallplannedtoarriveatonce Thefirstgroup,ofcourse,wasmy father’s friends Lord Hardinge, Lord Bolen, and Lord and LadyFancot, alongwiththeir daughter, LadyAmity. Mother was expectingLord Fancotand all his family, as theywere still quite setthatImarrytheir son, HenryParwens, buttheydid not knowhehadconfessedtomethathewasinlovewithanother SoIknewhewouldnotbeinattendance
“Yes, of course.” He nodded to Father and looked at mymother, offeringher a polite smile. However, the mood had souredgreatly.Itwasnotjusthim,buteverymanwhoarrivedseemedtohavenewsaboutthewar,andsoinsteadofgoingfor refreshmentsinthegreathall,theyallmovedtomyfather’sstudytospeakfreelyamongstmalecompany
Themomentitpulledtoastop,IsteppedforwardtoseeHisGracetheDukeofImbertalongwithhiswifeand,ofcourse, LadyClementina Rowley She exited last, dressed ina softbluishlavender, withall ofher verylongdarkhair pulled back
high Shestoodastallaseverandhadabrightsmileonherface
“Youhave notheard? Well, we have onlyjustgottenword as well. Apparently, a greatmanybattles have beenfought againstNapoleonrecently”
“Havewelost?”
“Webetternothave,especiallythisweekofallweeks.”Ifrownedasweentered,onlytowatchasmybrotherandLord Covington, one ofhis old friends, headed toward the library. “Itshall kill the spirits ofeveryone here, and who canfind a husbandundersuchcircumstances?”
Iglancedather,andsheglancedback,thentogether,wegiggledasweenteredthehall,decoratedwiththefinestofour roses and glasses upon glasses of port piled together into a tower Apainstaking endeavor that had gone unnoticed as the womenwhisperedamongstthemselves…however,theirconversationwasnotatallaboutthewar.
“Donotbe ridiculous.Ifhe was tobe the nextking,he would notbe here;youngladies would be sentto his palace,” Amitysnippedbackandlookedatme,waiting.“Well?Whatdoyouknow,Hathor?”
“LadyHathor” theDowagerLadyCovingtonsaidmynameincorrectly,asalways “whydoyounotgocheckonyour mother”Shehadbiggreeneyesandabirthmarkonthesideofherlip,herskinapalewhite,whichmadethedarknessofher hair stand out evenmore strikingly. Her daughter LadyMarywas nearlyher twin, despite beinga twinalready, while her seconddaughter,LadyEmma,wasratherplain-looking,withredblemishedskinshetriedtohidewiththickwhitepowder. If anyonewouldstrikefirstatthechancetomarryherdaughtertoaprince,itwouldbeher
“Ofcourse, your ladyship, I’ll go find her now. Thoughonce again, myname is pronounced Ha-ther,” Ireplied witha smile,curtsyingtoherbeforemovingtothefrontdoors.
“Itisapleasure,mylady”Hespokegently,outstretchinghishandformine,thoughIcouldseelaughterbehindhiseyes Ididnotwanttotake his handor speak;Iwishednothingmore thantohide awayinmyroomlamentinghow foolishI wastogetmyhopesup.
I did the only thing I could in such a horrid situation. I closed my eyes and forced myself to crumble to the floor, pretendingtofaint However,insteadofthegroundormymother’ssoftarms,Ifeltthehardembraceofamanwhosmelledlike applesandrosewood.
arryme” The horror ofthose two words was so deep-seated thatIcould nothelp butstiffenuponhearingthem Theyweremoreunbearablethanbeingtold“Iloveyou”…butonlyslightly.“Thereisnoneedforyoutobecomeso rigid,Iammerelyjoking.”
It was onlythenthat Iwas able to turnbackto see LadyVivienne Gallagher, gigglingfromher place uponthe grass, pickingthewhitepetalsoffthedaisyinherhands
“Iamnotmarryinga DuBell, or anyone for thatmatter. Ido notknow how manytimes Imustsayso before someone actuallylistens.”ItfeltasifIwerescreamingtowardtheskytonoavail.WastheideathatIwishedtoremainfreeofanysuch constraintssopreposterous?
“Thatishardlyfair,”shereplied,reachinguptodustthegrassoffthesleevesofmycoat.“Allladiesinoursocietyare expectedtomarryamanofequalbirthorhigher.Youknowthat,August.TheDuBellsareoneofthegreatestnoblefamiliesin England Hereldersisterbecameaduchessjusttwoyearsago Iseenothingwrongwithyourauntwishingtomatchyouboth basedonstatus LadyHathorisagood,respectableyounglady Andyou ”
“AndIamanotorious rake?”Ismirked,placingmyhands onher hips,drawingher closer tome.“Idonotdenyit…if onlymyauntwould acceptitas well. I’msure this Lady Hathor is a respectable, innocent little lamb and this is meant to subdueme Theybelieveshecanmendmy poor judgments andmakemeanhonorable, boring man ButIlikebeingbad,itis muchmorefun.”
“Ialreadyhavehomeandfamily.Asforchildren…well,thereisnoguaranteeofthatinmarriageeither,andsoI’drather not risk my freedoms. Truly there is nothing more liberating than going to a woman and leaving a woman with no further expectationthancoin orfun SosweetLadyHathorisgoingtohavetofindnewpreytohunt Thereisnothreatorinheritance largeenoughthatwillchangemymind.”Isnickered,handinghermyarmforustoreturn.Shegavemeasternlook.
Iglanced backto see a lightbrown–skinned womanwithanangelic face, honey-colored eyes, and longcurlyhair that hungloosedownhershoulders.Sheworeadeepgreendresswithgoldtrimthatseemedtoblendintothegrassfieldshestood upon Ifnot for her hands, whichwere clearlyballed into fists, one might thinkshe were some divine muse ofnature She glaredatmewithafuryIdidnotunderstandnorthinkwarranted,asIdidnotknowher Iwouldsurelyhaverememberedher faceifIhadseenher orsleptwithher before.
“Anintroductionisas unimportant ashisname,yourladyship,”shespitbackangrilyandmyshouldersdropped Itwas clear that our entire conversation had been overheard. “Please do tell his aunt I have no interest in such an ill-bred, unscrupulous,caper-wittedman,andthereforenointroductionshouldeverbemade.”
Ill-bred,unscrupulous,caper-witted?Ihuffed,for never hadawomancalledmesuchthings atleastnottomyface I steppedforwardattemptingtoflatterher.“Suchharshwordsforsuchabeautifulwomanis ”
She truly had heard every damned word. And I was growing rather…uncomfortable with her high and mighty glare beforeme.
“Tellme, my lady, wasasegmentofyourteachingincommondecencytheartofeavesdropping?Foreventhoughthisis notaprivatedrawingroom,itwasaprivateconversation ”
“AnditwouldhaveremainedonehadInotheardmynamewhollyslandered!”sheinterruptedmeoncemore. She was far too angry to reason with So, to end this matter, I thought to simply apologize though how I hated apologizing.
“Forgiveme,Ispokeoutofturn ”
“Iwill notforgive you!For one line ofapologyis nothingincomparisonto the several lines ofinsultyoudealt” She huffed,movingclosertomeinherrageandIstaredatherinshock.
“Youspeakveryhighlyfor someone whodoes notknow towhomshe is speaking,” Ireplied,steppingcloser as well OurfacesweresoclosenowthatitwasIwhocouldphysicallylookdownuponher.However,shedidnotflinchorcowerat myheight;infact,sheseemedevenmoreemboldened.
Ismiled wide and nodded. “Iwill hold youto that, LadyHathor. Letus hope youare a womanofyour word. Whata shamethough;yourfaceshineslikethesunamongststars.”
“Butaren’tyoucuriousifshewillholdtoherword?It’seasyforhertospeaksowhenshedoesnotknow whoIam I wouldliketoseeifshewillremainsofiercewhenconfrontedwithreality.”
From the moment my aunt told me I was to attend this week’s festivities at the Du Bell family castle, I wondered hundredsoftimeswhatLadyHathorwoulddowhenwewerefinallyintroduced…onlyforhertofaint.No,noteventrulyfaint. I watched her eyes stare backat me inpanic and dismay, unbelievingthat I, of all people, was whomshe must have been expecting Sheclearlyforcedherselftofaintasawaytosavefaceandrunfromme Ihadnotexpectedthat Notwithsucha largegatheringpresent.
“WhenLukas told us he had become good friends withyouduringhis grand tour, we did not believe it.” LadyMary spokeupfirst,sidebysidewithhermother “HerarelyspeaksofhistimeinEurope,buthesaidyoubothhadthegreatestfun visitingancientruins.”
“DowagerLadyCovington,Iwasnotawareyourfamilywassowell-connected.”Anotherolderwomanappearedoutof thin air, her daughter alongside her, and I saw many other mamas slowly pressing forward with their daughters, like pack wolvesreadytodevour
“Of course not,” I said with seriousness “I have come at the queen’s command, and thus must be on my very best behavior.Thoughinprivate,pleasesimplycallmeAugust;allthis Your Highness israthersuffocating.”
He turned and I looked to find…her. Lady Hathor, trailing behind her mother, her wits returned. Her curls had been pinnedupandthoughherfacewascalm…shegrippedherhands.
“Gentlemen, mayIintroduce Prince WilhelmofMalrovia, the queen’s nephew,” Damonsaid as we entered the room, wheremorethaneightothergentlemenwerealreadyseatedatroundtables,drinkingwithcardsbeforethem Theyallmovedto standup,theirshoulderssquaredandproud.
“August, this is George Holt, the Earl ofChiswick” Lukas pointed to the manwithblond hair “And beside him, Sir ArmanBranham,oftheBranhamTradingCompany.Youmayhavenoticedtheirsistershoveringrightbehindmine.” Ihadnot.“Ah,soareyouall herefor your sistersor for yourselves?”IaskedasItookaseatattheir tablealongwith DamonandLukas
“Earl is the highest rank here outside of the Marquess of Oxmoor.” Sir Branham nodded to the large-bellied man breathingandsweatingheavilyatthenexttableover.“Andofcourse,ourprincehere.”
“Youdo notknow it, butit’s a fool’s betyouare making” Ilaughed Me fall preyto marriage I’d watched myfather nearlykillmymotherrepeatedly.I’dseenmymothernearlydescendintomadnesstryingtodoeverythingtoappeasehim.That was what she called love. It disgusted me. The idea of marriage even for the sake of my inheritance only left me with bitterness. All mylife I’d watched people associate love withpain. I had no wishfor anythingmore thanpleasure froma woman,andeventhatIwishedtokeepatadistance
These DuBells…Iwas startingto see whyeveryone spoke so highlyofthem. Their confidence was striking, itnearly madeyouwanttobelievealongsidethem.EvenhissisterHathorspokewithsuchdeterminationandvigor.Herfacesuddenly cametomind,likeithaddonedozensoftimessincefirstmeetingheramonthago.
Ifonlyshewerenotsuchapreciousandinnocentnoblelady,wecouldhave no Itwasbestnottoeventhinkofit Noattachments.
Mamahadlecturedmetoneardeafnessdemandingtoknowthereasonformybehavior,andallIcouldtellherwasthatI hadoverheardhiminsultingmeinthepark.Whilethatwasthetruthitwasnottheentiretyofit.ForhowcouldIhave toldherthatnotonlyhadheinsultedme,buthehadalsoboastedaboutbeingarake,ascoundrelwhosawwomenasnothing morethanplaythingsforhisownpersonalenjoyment?Andifthatwerenotalreadyhorridenough,hehadbeeninthearmsof the Viscountess of Millchester, kissing her cheek, speaking poorly of marriage, and discussing mistresses! It was all so unspeakablyvileandabhorrent.Hewasveryclearlytheworstofmen,dressedupinfinery,foolingalltheworld.Yetallthe otheryoungladies,andeventheirmothers,alldaylongweregigglingabouthowhandsomehewasandhispleasantdemeanor Itwasanact.Adisplayofmockeryinfact.Hewasawretchandhe’dmanagedtoruinallhopeI’dhadforthisweek.It wasasthoughhehaddrainedmeofmyspiritandassuch,Icouldhardlyevenbothertoputmucheffortintopreparingforthe evening Infact,IdidnotwishtogobackdownfordinnerforfearthatIwouldbeforcedtomaintainpleasantrieswithhim
“My lady, your mother has sent these pearls for you to wear for dinner, which would you prefer?” Bernice asked, showingthetwostrandsofwhitespheresuponthevelvetcushion.Theywereabsolutelybeautifulandwouldsurelymakeme lookevenmoresplendid.Butwhatwasthepoint?Therewasnooneworthyofseeingmeinthem.
“It’sfine,IshallkeepthisnecklaceIhavealready,”Irepliedgently “Mylady” Bernice bent downbeside me “evenif youdo not wishthe attentionof Prince Wilhelm, there are still manyothergentlemeninattendance.Youshouldnotallowhimtosoaffectyourmood.”
“Heaffectsnothinginme!Infact,hedoesnotexistinmyeyes Onlyhonorablemendo”Ihuffedbeforelookingbackat myreflection. She said nothing, instead refocusingher efforts onmyhair, makingsure nota single pinwas showingas Isat dreadingwhatwastocome.
“Abena,doyoumindifHathorandItalkforamoment?”Devanaaskedasshecameovertous,holdingthepostofmy bed Ilookedatherstrangely,notsurewhyshewishedtospeakprivately,andapparentlyneitherwasAbena “Youwishmetogo?WhatareyouspeakingofthatIcan’thearabout?That’snotfair.Iamyoursistertoo.”
