I had a letter from my mother the next morning.
Dear Gwyneth,
I watched the next two episodes. Those girls have nothing on you, although I will say the one from Settlement 24 has a good story, coming from such a poor home. It’s probably fake, a ploy by her family to win favor.
Why didn’t we think of that?
The other girl, the one with the long black hair, was positively intolerable. Such a fake. She’s good-looking, though, I have to give her that. She’ll land on her feet. Mark my word.
I still think your date was the best. The prince might’ve kissed that other girl, but he didn’t look at either of them the way he looked at you. Have faith, my dear.
We’re counting on you.
Which brings me to the reason for this letter. I don’t want you to worry because you need to take care of yourself, but Winnie’s been quite ill. She’s had a high fever. I had Dr. Northman come to see her, but he doesn’t have any supplies left. I’m not sure what we’ll do next. I’m watching her nonstop. Please pray for her, Gwyneth? Send a funny note with news of the prince. That would cheer her up.
I’ll write again soon.
Keep up the good work.
Love,
Mom
I folded the letter up and went down to breakfast in a fog, worried about my sister.
“Gwyneth, a word.” I looked up to find Dallas waiting for me in the hall.
I nodded, absentmindedly following him into the library. He closed the door behind us.
He raked a hand through his hair. “This is awkward.”
I looked around, still distracted. “It is?”
“Yes.” He sighed.
“Is this about Tamara?” I asked, trying to make sense of what he was saying. “I know you have a date with her. But honestly? If you fall in love with her—and all that hair and those glutes and her attitude—we clearly aren’t meant for each other, anyway. So I won’t be mad, just disappointed in your taste.”
He laughed or coughed; I couldn’t be sure. “Good to see that you’re back to being your honest self, but that’s not what I’m talking about. It’s about the letter.”
“The letter from my mother?”
“Yes, which is why this is awkward. I know Tariq informed you all, but palace security reads and reviews all incoming and outgoing correspondence.”
“Yes.” I was aware of the policy.
“I’d told the staff that I had a…special interest…in your letters.” Clearly embarrassed, his words tumbled out on top of each other.
“Dallas, are you blushing?” I didn’t know vampires could.
“No.” He swiped his big hand through his hair. “Maybe. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. First thing during my early morning meeting, I was alerted to the fact that your sister had taken ill. I took the liberty of sending some of our medical staff to care for her. I wanted you to know. I hope you won’t be upset.”
“Why would I be upset?”
“Because I meddled like an old lady. I read your letter without your knowledge. And then without even asking you, I contacted your family and sent my staff to your home.” He stood stock still, fists clenched, waiting to be judged.
I ran to him.
I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his broad chest. “Thank you.” The words came out muffled. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He tentatively put his hands on my back. “You’re welcome. I thought you might be angry with me for violating your privacy.”
“I couldn’t care less.” I pulled back, wiping my eyes. “My brother and sister mean everything to me—that’s what I care about. I was so upset when I read the letter. I didn’t know what to do.”
“The doctor I sent is fantastic. She’ll take good care of your sister.” Dallas nodded. “I’ll let you know how she is as soon as I have word.”
“Thank you, Dallas. I will never be able to say that enough.” I hugged him again, and he gently hugged me back, putting his face against my hair.
“I have to go.” He reluctantly released me.
I felt cold without him. “I know. You have a date with Tamara.”
His face twisted. “If you weren’t angry at me about reading the letter, you’re sure to be mad at me about that.”
I straightened myself. “No, I understand you have things to do. You’re a diplomat, after all.”
“With the monarchy, I’m actually more of an autocrat, I’m afraid. But yes, things to do…”
I lifted my chin. “In any event, date you must. I’ll be fine. Tariq has promised us time in the stables today, so I’ll have Maeve to comfort me while you’re off on your…adventure.”
“Thank you for understanding.” His gaze burned into me.
I gave him one last look as I headed to the door. “You’re helping me keep my family together. It’s the least I can do.”
“Gwyneth.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be thinking of you.”
My heart did another tricky somersault. “And I, you.”
Blushing furiously, I headed down the hall.
“Do you know what they’re doing on their date?” Shaye carefully brushed her mare’s black coat.
“I don’t. If Tamara has her way, it’ll be skinny-dipping.”
Shaye shuddered. “She wouldn’t.”
I scoffed as I brushed Maeve’s coat to a glossy sheen. “Of course she would!”
Maeve whinnied, and I clucked my tongue, soothing her. “There, there, we all know Tamara’s a prat. But the prince has to date her. Yes he does.”
Shaye giggled. “You’re handling this better than I thought. You two seemed like you were going to come to blows yesterday.”
“I shouldn’t let her get under my skin, but ugh. She’s the master.”
“She’s a pro, all right.”
I started working carefully on Maeve’s mane. “She didn’t mean what she said yesterday about you. About not winning.”
Shaye shrugged. “Yes, she did.”
“She’s wrong, though. I think being nice is an advantage. It beats being a self-obsessed showoff.”
“I don’t know. She’s the one on the second date.” Shaye wrinkled her nose. “We’ll see if I even get one.”
“Of course you will.” No matter what, Shaye was my friend. I wanted her to do well, even if it was directly opposed to my own interests.
Shaye patted her horse. “It’s so nice that we get to come out here. The horses are beautiful.”
I nodded. “It’s a good change of pace, I think. Better than tripping around in heels and counting fork tines.”
“Not to eavesdrop, but speaking of forks.” Blake stuck her head into our stall. “I heard we’re having turkey tonight.”
“A roast turkey?”
Blake nodded, eyes shining. “The kitchen maids told me. There’s going to be cornbread stuffing and cranberry relish—all the trimmings.”
“Oh, I can’t wait.” I clutched my stomach. “I’ll have to skip cheese and crackers this afternoon, so I can have seconds.”
“Or thirds.” Shaye smiled.
“And dessert.” Blake grinned.
“Come in here and help us, will you?” I grabbed a rake to spread fresh hay around the stall.
“My pleasure.” Blake grabbed a rake and jumped right in.
“Have you had a date with the prince yet?” Shaye asked her.
“Nah. He just doesn’t seem into me. I don’t know why he kept me around.”
“Um, maybe because you’re tall and gorgeous?” Shaye eyed Blake, who was indeed almost six-feet tall, with long, willowy limbs. Her thick, golden hair cascaded down her back.
“Thanks.” Blake shrugged. “I dunno. He doesn’t ever seem to be looking in my direction, but I’m so excited I wasn’t cut. I’m in no rush to go home.”
“What’s Fifteen like?” I asked.
She shrugged again, but her easygoing manner seemed to dissipate a bit. “It’s pretty depressing, actually. We’ve been struggling since the war. I have three siblings, and my dad’s been sick. He’s gone downhill in the past couple of years. I think it’s because of the stress and honestly, poor nutrition.”
Shaye frowned as she spread hay. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right. I still have my dad. I know a lot of the girls here don’t.”
“Like both of us.” I pointed to Shaye and me. “Our fathers and older brothers went to fight and never came back.”
Blake shook her head. “That’s terrible.”
“But maybe they’re still alive.” I raked with renewed vigor. “You never know.”
“Right.” Blake smiled at me. “I hope so. Anyway, anybody want to bet on Tamara’s date with the prince? I have three chocolate croissants that say she either kisses him or somehow gets him to carry her at some point. Anyone?”
“Hmm. I’ll see your three chocolate croissants, and I’ll raise you a raspberry scone. And I don’t think he’ll kiss her.” He wouldn’t. I couldn’t picture it.
I thought for a moment. “She might have him carry her, though. He would do that if she needed help. Good call.”
“I like raspberry scones, so I’ll take the bet on the kissing.” Blake shrugged. “Works for me. We have a deal.”
I chuckled and spread more hay. Although I knew I would also want to smack her, part of me couldn’t wait to hear how Tamara’s date went.