Margaret listened to Annalise prattle on about a potential suitor for one of her cousins, telling them all about how he was rumored to have a disfigured spine but that it didn’t matter because of how rich he was. Margaret tried not to roll her eyes—somehow rich only mattered if it was old and not new. It was these times that Margaret wished she could shake these girls. Rich was rich, and the Doremises were richer than all of them combined. Who cared about ancient bloodlines?
They circled the great hall, chatting about this and that. Margaret was hardly listening at that point. The court had grown far more boring now that it consisted mostly of women and old men. With the war, the abundance of suitable beaus to flirt with had gone with it.
“Margaret?”
Margaret inhaled deeply, pulled from her thoughts. She looked around to see Clairissa staring at her expectantly. “I’m sorry, what was the question?”
“Have you heard word from your father?” Clairissa asked.
Margaret shook her head. “No. Mama says that’s to be expected, though. He’ll be busy in Dorcia, rallying the troops.”
“That’s too bad.” Annalise frowned. “We were hoping for some news.”
Trying to keep the bitter tone from her voice, Margaret said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.” Margaret would much rather be in their positions than hers. None of their fathers had demanded to go off to war, instead sending representatives in their place.
Their dissatisfaction didn’t last long as they started in on the next piece of gossip. Margaret was again lost to her thoughts until she caught the view out of one of the windows. Twilight was falling. “I’m sorry, ladies, I need to leave to find my mother. We should have been home by now.”
Margaret separated from her friends. She was surprised her mother hadn’t found her yet. Now that Papa had left for Dorcia, her mother made sure they were home before it was dark out. For their safety, she said, since they did not have her father there to protect them if anything happened. Her mother didn’t believe their servants would protect them if it came down to it. Margaret wandered the corridors, looking for any sign of her mother.
With each coming up empty, Margaret started to look in her mother’s usual haunts, the high-ranking noblewomen’s chambers. Her mother had tried to ingratiate herself into the highest circles from the moment their family had been ennobled. Her mother had succeeded on occasion with the Duchess Cecily, but not many other ladies had enjoyed her company enough to request it again.
Margaret started to worry when she hadn’t found her mother after searching half the palace. Maybe she should wait at the stables with their groom? No. She would get in trouble if she did.
She gasped when she turned the corner and nearly ran into a couple. “My apologies…Mama? Your Majesty!” She fell into a curtsey when she saw it was the king she’d nearly bowled over.
The two separated, and her mother wiped her face free of tears. “Margaret, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your friends?”
“Mama, are you all right?” Margaret looked between her and the king, her brow furrowed. “Are you missing Papa?”
Her mother looked to the king before answering, “I am. His Majesty has been kind enough to console me.”
“Your Majesty is too kind.” Margaret smiled at him. “I’m so happy we have your support while Papa is in Dorcia.”
“I’d be more than happy to comfort you too if you need it, Lady Margaret.” The king rested a hand on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing in small circles. “More than happy.”
“Thank y—”
Her mother grabbed her arm tightly, pulling her away from King Sorren. “We should not take up any more of His Majesty’s time, Margaret.” She turned to the king. “With your permission?”
Margaret looked at her mother like she had grown a second head. What was she doing, being so abrupt with the king? She had always demanded the utmost attention paid to the king, and now she couldn’t wait to get away from him?
“Of course, I’m sure you’re tired after this afternoon.” King Sorren nodded to the both of them before leaving.
“You should have waited for me to find you,” her mother scolded once the king was out of earshot.
“It was starting to get dark,” Margaret protested. “You always want us home before night has settled.”
“Next time, don’t come looking for me. Just wait in one of the libraries or the great hall until I find you.”
Margaret frowned. “Yes, Mama.”
She didn’t understand her mother’s attitude. Had something happened?